A while back, there was a MacGroup meeting about converting older analog audio (cassettes, vinyl, etc) into digital (mp3, aac, etc). One of the better gadgets that came out of that meeting was the Griffin PowerWave, which had a number of input sources that you could use.

Well, I got one, and got a whole two months of use out of it before my Dad sequestered it for his own use. I'm inclined to just let him keep it and get a new one for myself. However, it appears that Griffin no longer produces it, as there's no sign of it on their website and Amazon lists it as "Currently unavailable." (Amazon Link).

Can anybody recommend something that is decently comparable? I'll admit first and foremost that the RCA in/out are probably the most important to me right now, but the more IO the better (as long as it's within my price range!).

Thanks!

Here is one on ebay link

Yeah, I know I could go to ebay (though the auction you listed ended in February. thanks though!), I was just wondering if someone had a better recommendation for something shiny and new with current support.

Sorry that I missed the ebay auction being over in Feb.

What else did it do that cannot be done just by connecting the cassette player (etc.) directly to the Mac?

Possibly this will work OWC link

Audiophile 2496

24 Bit 96 kHz 4 in/ 4 out PCI Digital Recording Interface with MIDI

M-Audio has built a reputation for providing uncompromising professional grade digital audio to the home and project studio markets. The Audiophile 2496 delivers more of the same, but at a new price that makes such quality available to everyone.

Music professionals are uncompromising when it comes to the quality and performance of their audio cards. They don't just demand realism; they demand reality. The Audiophile 2496 can achieve this standard because it doesn't rely on gimmicks that compromise sound quality. It simply delivers

true 24-bit paths, unequaled drivers and purely remarkable fidelity. Just ask Computer Music Magazine, who said of the Audiophile, "How does it sound? Well, in a word, stunning."

The Audiophile 2496 is an all-in-one high fidelity soundcard solution for a wide variety of applications, ranging from multitrack recording to computer-based home theatre. Analog I/O is available on RCA jacks, utilizing the same professional 24-bit, 96kHz conversion as the Delta 44 and Delta 66 cards. S/PDIF I/O and MIDI I/O provide connectivity to both digital devices, and the world of MIDI. You can also utilize the S/PDIF I/O for DVD surround sound playback with an external decoder. The Audiophile 2496 includes a powerful digital mixer/router, and control over SCMS (Serial Copy Management System). Delta Series cards support all computer platforms and major software programs.

Applications Include:

* 24-bit 96 kHz multitrack recording
* MIDI recording and playback
* Digital transfers; Digital mastering
* LP/cassette-to-CD transfers
* Computer-based Home Theater systems
* Computer-based Hi-Fi systems

Specifications:

* Dynamic Range: D/A 104.0dB (a-weighted), A/D 100.4dB (a-weighted)
* THD: less than 0.002%
* Freq. Response: 22Hz - 22kHz, -0.4,-0.4dB

Software:

* Powerful digital mixing, routing and monitoring capabilities with included software.
* Includes Windows 95/98, ASIO/ASIO2, Mac, GSIF, DirectX and Windows NT/2000 drivers.

System Requirements (Mac):

* G4 or G3
* MacOS 8.6 or higher
* 128 MB RAM - (96kHz operation)
* 64 MB RAM - (48kHz operation)
* OMS 2.3.8 for MIDI operation

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Brian Stone,

Well, this is going to be connecting to a new Mac Pro, so no PCI slots (only PCI-e slots). The Mac doesn't have any RCA jacks built in. The only audio-in jacks are optical and line-level mic inputs. So I'd prefer to use a similar external USB or Firewire device to do it.

Note that it doesn't necessarily have to be audio only. If I could plug in an old VCR or DVD player as well, I'd be just fine with that.

For old cassettes, I use the Griffin iMic (still available) connected to one of my old walkman cassette players. No problem as long as I have fresh batteries in the player.

Nathan:

You can get a adapter from Radio Shack that will convert the Left & Right RCA jacks to a plug that will match the Audio In jack on the back of the Mac Pro. I currently have an 8 Core Mac Pro and it works just fine for converting Reel-to-Reel audio tapes or directly from a turntable in conjunction with a pre-amp.

OWC also has the following which will fit your needs as Phyllis suggested ........................ Link.

The original USB audio adapter! iMic lets Mac and PC users add stereo input and output to USB computers even if they lack audio-in or -out ports.

iMic allows you to connect many microphones and sound input devices to your iBook, PowerBook, PowerMac or other Mac or PC systems with a USB port. iMic supports both mic and line level inputs via a selectable switch, and provides a line-level output for connecting speakers or headphones.

iMic shines as the essential tool for converting your vinyl LP and tape collection into MP3s and CDs. Recording records and tapes through iMic directly from your turntable or tape deck is super easy. The included CD-ROM provides all the software you need: for Mac users, Final Vinyl (with advanced features such as waveform-based cue editing and 10-band EQ, including a special RIAA filter that properly equalizes LPs without having to connect your turntable to a pre-amp); and, for PC users, the popular open-source, full-featured recording application, Audacity.

Use iMic to make your own recordings, too – it's great for home studio recording and podcasting. Plug microphones and musical instruments directly into iMic. iMic is compatible with modern hardware to provide the perfect solution for sound recording in almost any audio application, including GarageBand, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro.

The iMic package also includes a special stereo audio cable with a ground connector, to prevent hum or line noise when recording directly from a turntable. It's everything you need to become home-recording-ready, in one package.

Technical Specifications

* Audio input: 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo line/mic-level minijack
* Audio output: 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo line-level minijack
* Hardware control: toggle switch for mic/line level
* Height: 0.5 in.
* Diameter: 2 in.
* Weight: 2 oz.
* Cable Length: 18"

Compatibility

* Mac OS X 10.5.x - Leopard
* Mac OS X 10.4.x - Tiger
* Mac OS X 10.3.x - Panther

I don't need stereo, really.

Connecting to aluminum iMac. Need to transfer all my old casssette tapes to digital.

What, exactly, do I need?

Quality needs to be decent, but doesn't have to be great.

Also, any ideas on how to speed up the recording, so it is not real time?

Thanks.

Like I said before, I use an iMic & a walkman player. It's the easiest method. No way I know of to speed up the process. You are going from tape, not CD.

Cassette tapes are noisy, so unless you intend to clean them up with BIAS Peak Pro (or something similar), 8-bit digitization is fine. Analog sources cannot reproduce more than 10-bits anyway. Use a shielded & grounded cable to connect sound devices. CD quality or low-end pro quality sampling rates are good enough (44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, respectively).

You can probably run your cassette tape (line level?) output to a cheap sound card. If you have a laptop, just run it into the mic input if your cassette output (voltage) level matches the mic input level.

At your cost point, you will not find anything to speed up recording.

You'll possibly need software that removes tape hiss. The free Mac software that comes with the Griffin iMic won't remove tape hiss. You may be able to use Audacity for the Mac for noise reduction, but I'm not sure how effective it is. It's a free download, but it may not be very effective for hiss. An equalizer will not remove hiss. BIAS Peak Pro 6 would surely be able to do a good job, but it costs $499 list price. If your tapes were originally recorded using Dolby noise reduction, you might need software to "undo" the Dolby NR.

For those interested, I ended up purchasing a Behringer U-Control UCA202 . Works great, and OS X sees it as USB Audio Codec (not the best name for their driver, but it works). About $30 on Amazon, and they have a lot of other similar products that all have gotten good reviews.