Using iTunes and Amadeus to Create MP3s from Cassette Audio Tapes

Items you’ll need:

• Cassette player
• Macintosh
• Cable with phono stereo jack at each end
• iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes/
• Amadeus (http://hairersoft.com/AmadDownload.html

Getting started:

• Plug one end of the phono cable into your cassette player (headphones jack) and the other end into the microphone port of the Macintosh.
• On the Mac, open the Sound Control Panel and select External Mic as your sound input option.
• Open Amadeus.
• Press Play on the cassette player and the Record button in Amadeus simultaneously. You are now recording to AIFF format (Mac’s default sound format).
• When the song is finished, click the OK button.
• Save the file. (In Amadeus for OS X, you can save directly as a MP3 file).

Convert to MP3 with iTunes

• If you didn’t use Amadeus for OS X, or you didn’t save directly as a MP3 file, open iTunes.
• In the Advanced menu, select Convert to MP3, then choose your sound file. ITunes will automatically compress your file as you are now saving to the MP3 format.
• If you have already saved your sound file in Amadeus as MP3 format, then in iTunes, go to File > Add to Library.
• You can continue with your other recordings and develop separate playlists (go to the File menu and select New Playlist). Files can also be dragged to and from playlists in typical Apple simplicity.

Now that I’ve created a playlist, what can I do?

• If you have a CD-ROM writer, simply select Burn CD and you can save your playlist to a CD for distribution or to add to your classroom collection.

• If you are familiar with HTML, why not put your files online for students? An example of HTML code is <EMBED SRC=”audio1.MP3” AUTOPLAY=false>

Other Ideas for MP3s

• Use a Walkman to tape an interview or simply attach the Walkman’s microphone to your shirt while you give a presentation or lecture.
• You can talk your way through a procedure such as a chemistry experiment and later take photos of the procedure to create a QuickTime slide show. Import the MP3 sound file and you have a multimedia demonstration in a reasonable file size.

A Note on Copyright

Be aware of what you are recording, copying, and distributing so as not to violate copyright. When putting things online, make sure you have copyright clearance or in the case of an interview, make sure you have sought their approval beforehand.