If you've got cassettes — or reel-to-reel — that you'd like to digitise before they degrade, this series takes you through it from scratch, in the order the work actually happens. Same approach as the video one: understand the format, buy sensibly, prepare the tape properly, and wire it all up so the signal arrives intact.

The parts:

• Part I — Overview and storage: https://digital-archivist.com/2024/12/26/capturing-cassette-tapes-reel-to-reel-audio-part-i/ — what you're dealing with, and how to store tapes so they survive the wait.
• Part II — Buying guide: https://digital-archivist.com/2024/12/27/capturing-cassette-tapes-part-ii-buying-guide/ — the deck and gear worth having, and what to skip.
• Part III — Preparation: https://digital-archivist.com/2024/12/29/capturing-audio-tapes-part-iii-preparation/ — getting the tape and the machine ready for a clean transfer.
• Part IV — Connecting your equipment: https://digital-archivist.com/2024/12/29/capturing-audio-tapes-part-iv-connecting-your-equipment/ — wiring it together so nothing's lost between deck and computer.

The thread that runs through all of it: a clean capture comes from a tape in good condition, a deck in good order, and a sensible signal path — get those three right and the rest is straightforward.

So — what have you got, and what's the sticking point? Cassette or reel-to-reel, the gear you're using, and how the tapes have been stored. Ask anything; nothing's too basic here.