Recording from reel-to-reel tape to computer

[skahigh]

I've posted this in AVForums but I'll post here as well incase anyone can help...

My mother has come in to possession of (by way of her deceased brother) an old reel-to-reel tape recorder (Akai 4000D) and one specific tape which contains a monaural recording of her grandmother that she would like digitised.

I know lots about computers (software developer), a little about audio and nothing about old four track tape recorders.

I managed to locate a copy of the original manual on the web and have successfully threaded the tape and got it playing (phew!).

I have attempted to connect the recorder to my Macbook by connecting the stereo headphone output (1/4" jack) of the recorder to the 3.5mm mic input on a USB mic/headphone adapter, unfortunately the sound level is extremely low and with a fair bit of noise when cranked up as loud as it will go.

This surprised me as there was plenty of volume when I connected my old iPhone ear buds. When I connected my 80 ohm DT770 headphones and noted the lower volume, it made a bit more sense.

I think I need to use the RCA line outputs instead but, I don't have a suitable cable and I'm not sure if I actually need some kind of phono preamp / audio interface (this is where I'm a bit lost) to sit in-between the tape recorder and my computer.

Before I go off and spend more money on stuff I don't need, could anyone offer any advice on what I might need please? I have little use for this equipment in the future so the cheaper the better!

Many thanks in advance for any and all advice received!

[battered]

Get an RICA cable, use line out. Cables are pennies.

[anonymous-user]

I used a twin RCA to 3.5mm jack cable when converting old cassettes to MP3, using Audacity - https://sourceforge.net/projects/audacity/ Cables are about a quid on Amazon.

If you still have problems using an RCA cable then it might be the USB adapter that's to blame. Can you get your hands on another laptop with a 3.5mm socket to avoid using the USB adapter?

[skahigh]

Thanks guys, got it sorted now, I need to use line out on the recorder and line in on the mac (which it doesn't have), I have an adapter that gives me monaural mic in but Audacity suggest that shouldn't be used because it is amplified.

So I need to get an audio interface.

[megaphone]

For some reason Apple decided to omit the line in on newer Macbook Pros. Yes, you'll need a USB adaptor.

[skahigh]

Well ordered a Scarlett solo today.

Overkill for what I actually need but I figured I can plug my guitar into the computer now and find some software to give me all kinds of effects and saves me playing through an amp and drowning the whole house in noise.