How to Record a CD to an Audio Cassette Using Amplifier

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Last Updated: February 14, 2022

Here you can learn about recording music from CD's to a cassette (audio) tapes using a DVD/CD player and an amplifier hooked up to a tape recorder unit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Setting up the Amplifier and Gathering Supplies

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Make sure you have access to the back of the amplifier and other equipment.
This works best if you use an amplifier with 2-prong or 3-prong power inputs so that you won't need so many ports in your wall-outlet.

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3
Connect your CD/DVD player to your cassette deck (recorder).
- Connect "Audio Out" on the CD/DVD player INTO the "Line IN" on the cassette recorder, using RCA jacks.
- If red is present but no white, use the red in the red ports and the other color (sometimes black) in the other port. Connect the same colors on BOTH devices.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Connecting the Tape Recorder to the Amplifier

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Plug in the correct colors, and then feed the unconnected RCA ends into the corresponding "Tape 1" or "Tape 2" inputs on the amplifier.
Red into Red and the other color into where the 'white' RCA jack would normally go.)

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Preparing your Tape and CD

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1
The CD/DVD player setup:
- Turn on DVD/CD player.
- Insert disc you want to copy from.
- Close player and press the "Stop" button on the player (or on remote if available).
2
The Cassette Tape recorder set-up:
- Open recording deck (the side where recording can take place, usually the right side deck).
- Insert blank tape or old tape that you want to record over. (No longer than 90 minutes due to magnetic strips being too thin and wearing out easily during playback).

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Recording the CD to the Audiotape

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1
This can be done two ways: Turn on amplifier and set it to Tape Deck 1 or 2 (whichever you plugged the RCA jacks into). First Method:Second Method:
- Press the record and play buttons simultaneously (ie. "at the same time") on the Audiotape player and press the play button on the CD/DVD player after about 3 seconds of the Audiotape recording.
- Press play on the DVD/CD player AND at the same time press the Record/play buttons on the cassette deck.
- Note: This method may cause your tape to not catch the beginning of a song or speaking part from the CD you're copying from.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Finishing the recording process

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1
When the CD is done playing, you can hit the stop button on the recorder and stop the CD from playing.
- Put disk away and write down a title on the tape you copied to.
- Insert new disk and continue recording on the tape if you have free space.
- To record again, simply press record on the deck and the play button on the DVD/CD player as described in the previous step.
- Don't forget to turn everything off and unplug your equipment when you're finished!

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I handle spaces between songs?

Community Answer

In your media player preferences page look for the menu that says burning options. There will be a question that asks you if you want a gap between songs. Check the box that says seamless recording which should get rid of the gap.

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Question

Is it possible to record on the second side of the tape?

Community Answer

Yes. Just flip the cassette once you've filled one side and record on the other.

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Tips

Try to demagnetize your tape player and/or clean the heads so that your recording experience is at its best quality.

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Try to avoid a 3-way split for powering your equipment as the outlet may overheat and cause a large spark or a fire. Use a multi-port strip for better protection if amplifier does not have power inputs.

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Warnings

*Do not unplug anything while recording, doing so may corrupt the tape and may cause static if the speakers are turned on.

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