[hamster-bamster]

I want to record a letter to a man who is a Luddite to the point of:

- not having a computer
- not having an ipod or MP3 player or anything of that kind
- not having a CD player

He does have an old tape recorder in his 1994 car.

That is all.

How would you go about such an unusual task?

I want to add that I have an enormous collection of old audio tapes that I cannot play. They are more than twenty years old.

So I am thinking out loud: maybe I should buy a tape recorder so that I can both record the letter to the Luddite man and listen to my audio tapes? Sort of killing two birds at once?

Or are there better solutions? I am prepared to spend some money and I really care about the quality of the sound.

Thanks!

[Inedible]

If you get a tape recorder / player you can also get a cable to connect your tape player to your computer's sound card and record from the cassettes to software such as Audacity. Then you can save the songs as MP3 files.

Be sure you can get enough blank cassettes, or you will have to have him give them back and record over them. I don't see blank cassettes in stores much any more.

Maybe you could just get him a cheap portable CD player or MP3 player and teach him to use it. It would be easier.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Inedible

If you get a tape recorder / player you can also get a cable to connect your tape player to your computer's sound card and record from the cassettes to software such as Audacity. Then you can save the songs as MP3 files.

Be sure you can get enough blank cassettes, or you will have to have him give them back and record over them. I don't see blank cassettes in stores much any more.

Maybe you could just get him a cheap portable CD player or MP3 player and teach him to use it. It would be easier.

He lives in Germany. That is the problem. But suppose I can send him a portable CD player or an MP3 player with instructions to Germany - which would be better, a CD player or an MP3 player?

I am not too advanced technologically, either.

Thanks for replying, Inedible!!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Inedible

Be sure you can get enough blank cassettes, or you will have to have him give them back and record over them. I don't see blank cassettes in stores much any more.

Like these?

Amazon.com: Maxell UR-90 Blank Audio Cassette Tape, 7 Pack: Electronics

[Inedible]

Given the distance involved, it would be easier to send CDs in the mail than to get the MP3 player back to add new files. You would not be able to teach him in person to use the MP3 player and most people can work a CD player without too much difficulty.

Yes, it looks like you did find a reliable source for audiocassettes. Unless you are planning to talk for over an hour with no one around to hear you, maybe you could get 60 minute cassettes instead of 90? The longer the duration of the cassette, the thinner the plastic film tends to be. The thinner it is, the more likely it is to snag or break with multiple listenings.

Having a cable to connect your computer to a cassette recorder / player means that you could probably record on your computer and edit it and then have it play back to record to the cassette later. Just watch for the 30 minute or 45 minute mark when you have to flip the cassette to keep going.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Inedible

Given the distance involved, it would be easier to send CDs in the mail than to get the MP3 player back to add new files. You would not be able to teach him in person to use the MP3 player and most people can work a CD player without too much difficulty.

Yes, it looks like you did find a reliable source for audiocassettes. Unless you are planning to talk for over an hour with no one around to hear you, maybe you could get 60 minute cassettes instead of 90? The longer the duration of the cassette, the thinner the plastic film tends to be. The thinner it is, the more likely it is to snag or break with multiple listenings.

Having a cable to connect your computer to a cassette recorder / player means that you could probably record on your computer and edit it and then have it play back to record to the cassette later. Just watch for the 30 minute or 45 minute mark when you have to flip the cassette to keep going.

That is exactly what I will need to do - editing it. I won't be able to record flawlessly anyway.