Emperor of Gadgets Tape to PC Super USB Cassette-to-MP3 Converter Capture Audio Music Player with Headphones

When I got this device I figured it would be one of those flawless plug&play devices that you simply hook up and have fun with. Nope. It takes all sorts of manipulation to get it to work. First the software and driver disk they sent was old. So I had to update the software, which changed the whole instruction booklet, etc. Second when I needed help, no one was available. So I had to figure it all out myself. So now, you plug the thing in. Start the software, configure the device, try to record something, the software then fails (every time) until you boot it up again (just the software, not the whole computer...thankfully), the you have to unplug it and plug it back in, put in cassette, press play, then hit record on the software. If it shows the graphic sound lines, you are recording! Yea! That all works fine. Then you first SAVE the recording project, then EXPORT the recording to MP3. Then start the entire process over again with another tape. Exasperating. And if the recording device is too close to the computer a constant clicking noise is also heard...and recorded, by the device. There's literally no way to pause it and start again. (Almost none of the pause, replay, and other function buttons on the software screen actually work. Seriously, I suggest getting a little more expensive and updated device.

My father passed away recently and needed something to transfer his karaoke tapes to MP3. This worked. Few things though. This specifies it will work on OS Mac however the disc they send you is a mini disc and won't slide into a MacBook. But I found the download on their website. It is a little complicated with instructions that don't exist, but I figured it out. Also the tape player randomly switches direction and the sound sort of gets messed up. But I turned the tape around and it worked. For the price it was worth it. Beats paying someone to do it.

After the warranty expired, the drive motor quit, but honestly for the price point paid that's not much of a loss. The Audacity software (and the LAME.dll to allow exporting MP3's to your iTunes library) that is included fabulous. The fact that it is also open-source freeware is an added bonus - the version shipped is outdated, but can easily be updated after your initial install and your preferences set will be remembered if you choose to update Audacity. It was a bit of a surprise that the cassette player has an auto-reverse mode.When your converter eventually quits on you (or even if it still works for that matter), you can easily capture your cassette library using any stereo cassette deck, an RCA to 3.5mm Y-cable hooked up to the line-in input on your PC and you're golden.

Full disclosure: I ordered this product in 2013 and I'm literally just now using it for the first time. I needed to download newer software (Audacity) which works well. The device I ended up with in 2013 is very, very cheap plastic. It did not come with a power source, and I couldn't find a battery compartment, so I ordered a 3v power cord separately and then I found the battery compartment right inside the cover where the tape goes! It came with no instructions. There are no labels on the device. It plays cassette tapes and connects by USB to the computer, where you can then capture and record the audio using Audacity. However, the player does speed up the audio, which is entertaining, but not what I was after. Audacity is capable of playing back at a slower speed, so it works out okay.

Does the job with reasonable quality. Materials are barely acceptable, so it would not withstands hours of abuse. nevertheless, it was acquired to digitize a few old tapes, so it is OK for light use. runs on AA batteries that last fairly long.

I was worried about some of the reviews I read but had no trouble with this item. It does exactly what I bought it for. Load up the included software, place your old cassette in the unit and press play. Hit the record button on the on-screen menu to record your tracks. From there you can very easily save them as an mp3 file to your hard drive. I'm very pleased with this item and you can't beat the price.

This was inexpensive so I wasn't expecting much but it is not worth the money at all. The sound quality not very good. The battery compartment about 1/16" too small so you can't get the batteries in it or maybe it's the fact that the spring that gives for easily inserting batteries does not retract enough. Every time I pressed play, it would stop after about 1/2 a second. Had to leave door open to get it to play and even then it took several false starts. Anyway, you get what you pay for!

But, operates at accelerated speed. When I tried took the Converter Capture Audio Music Player out of the box, I was excited about the design and the compact size. It plays wells except at accelerated speed.