Thanks to reasonably-priced converters and VERY reasonably-priced audio editing software, converting to MP3 or CD from audio cassettes can now be done even by the most technologically disadvantaged. But like anything else worth doing well, you should start with a budget and a game plan:
First,
decide where your recordings are going to end up. There are two paths they can take from your computer - converting to MP3 for use in MP3 players or burning them to blank CDs. If you don't already have a MP3 player or smart phone, buying one should be included in your budget. CDs will also need storage space, both in individual cases and in containers or racks. If you have 120-minute audio cassettes, they will have to be recorded onto DVDs. You must also decide where your original cassettes are going to end up: It's illegal to sell or give the originals away if you've made copies of them.
Budgeting your time is important, too. Converting to MP3 must be done as the audiocassette is playing. It's nowhere near the same as high-speed audio cassette duplication, because all the cassettes involved are moving at the same high speed. But there's no need to fear being chained to your computer -- plug in a headphone if you can't sit and listen, and just like regular cassette players, most audiocassette converters turn the tape over automatically.
Don't let the word "budget" scare you off. Most audio cassette converters cost well under $100 US. You can save big on
music management software if you buy a program that works with iTunes or Windows Media Player (unless you'd prefer to catalog every one of the songs you've recorded yourself!). And there's certainly no reason to pay for quality audio editing software: The
Audacity program works with most audio cassette converters, on all computer operating platforms, and can be downloaded free!
Now that you're armed with the knowledge of the decisions you have to make about converting to MP3 from audio cassette, your next stop should be
http://www.convertingtomp3.com/audiocassette-converter-to-mp3, where you'll find a way to easily turn your old cassettes into MP3s for a very low cost!
