Cassette tape high speed dubbing
Question:
Am interested in a hi-speed way to convert audio cassettes to a cd, MP3, etc. -type format. Is there a machine or program that does this? I have hours upon hours of tapes and it would be a formidable task to transfer them in real time. Thank you.
Answer:
For a software solution, I document it pretty well on my article about cassette to digital conversion with Audacity (click to the article and search for the words “high speed dubbing“). You’d use this with a specialized tape deck that can play back at higher speed. This is often called a “high speed dubbing” or “high speed playback” feature.
However, unless you’re willing to spend a lot of money on very high end equipment, or pay for a dubbing service, realize that high-speed dubbing is not a good way to convert from cassette to digital (CD, MP3, et cetera). When you record at high speed then slow the recording back down, you lose a lot of quality in your final product. Although it’s more time-consuming, your final product will be far better quality if you perform the dubs at normal playback speed. Remember, if you’re just going to record cassette tapes, you only have to monitor the progress every thirty minutes or so, just whenever you need to switch a tape.
