Level 1

6 points

Stereo Cassette Analog to Digital Macbook Pro Conversion

I'm trying to connect my sanyo stereo cassette player to my Macbook pro 2023 M3 max. I have the CD/Aux stereo output connected to an analog to digital audio converter using rca cables, and the output of the analog to digital audio converter is connected to my Mac using an optical to usb cable.

However, my Mac is not recognizing my A-D converter as an input, only as an output, and Audacity is doing the same thing.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Apr 23, 2025 11:28 AM

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

24,167 points

Posted on Apr 24, 2025 6:41 PM

blindbongo wrote:

After doing some research it seemed necessary to me to use an analog to digital audio converter. If I am wrong on that let me know, but that's why I am using it.

Yes, you need an analog to digital converter to digitize analog cassette recordings. Unfortunately the one you have only has optical i/o and your MBPro does not have an optical i/o. Converting between optical & USB is an iffy prospect. There are bi-directional optical/USB converters but you really need to read the specs to make sure.

If you go looking for an alternative, get an analog to digital converter that has USB i/o built in. There are many, at many price levels.

At the bottom end, these should work perfectly fine:

Behringer UCA202 or UCA222

Although I suggest something more capable and refined such as

Mackie Onyx Producer 2x2

Presonus Studio 24c

In my own case I found that a USB mixer like the Mackie ProFX6v3 was way more functional than any of the 2-channel audio interfaces, for the same money.

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27 replies

Apr 23, 2025 3:27 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Add a couple RCA-F to RCA-F adapters and you're golden.

blindbongo Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 23, 2025 1:03 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Yes, but I'm using an optical to usb output from the ADC, so it should be fine. My macbook recognizes the device, but it is only appearing as an output under my sound settings, when I need it to be recognized as an input.

blindbongo Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 26, 2025 11:51 AM in response to blindbongo

Update: I returned the other ADC because it's purposes didn't suit my needs and I got the Behringer U-Control UCA222 USB Audio Interface. Now, this device is being recognized by my computer and Audacity as an input. However, when I select the device in Audacity to be the recording device, my laptop speakers to be the playback device, and hit record, nothing actually ends up being recorded. Does anybody know how to troubleshoot this issue?

blindbongo Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 27, 2025 12:56 PM in response to MartinR

I have the audio device set up in Audacity as the recording device, and I have it set up as the input on my Mac. In my Audio MIDI setup it is listed as two separate devices, one as an input, and one as an output.

My audio is still not being detected by audacity when I try to record.

blindbongo Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 29, 2025 9:07 AM in response to blindbongo

Update 4/29 at 12:02 PM:

Stereo setup. As you can see, I've opted to use a speaker wire to rca output cable.

I'm using the behringer ADC. The RCA cables from the stereo are plugged into the input.

These are my recording settings in audacity. No audio is being detected when I click play on my stereo.

These are my mac settings showing that the device is being recognized and is selected as an input.

blindbongo Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 30, 2025 11:10 AM in response to MartinR

On the front there is a port that is titled "phones," that is a headphone output. However, it is a 6.5 mm plug in. If I found a 6.5 mm aux to rca cable to connect to the behringer, ensured all of my audio settings matched the ones that you all have provided, should that work?

Apr 30, 2025 12:58 PM in response to blindbongo

I believe that would work as the connection to your Behringer device. The plug for that phones port will probably be a standard 1/4" stereo headphone plug.

Search Amazon or Google "1/4 inch stereo to RCA cable" and you should find many for ~$10 or less.

blindbongo Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 23, 2025 12:28 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

This is ADC:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y9CGT56?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I have to use a USB A to USB C adapter

Apr 24, 2025 11:13 AM in response to MartinR

Yes, a little more clarification from the OP is needed.

It seems to me they've gone a bit roundabout to get cassette audio into the Mac.

blindbongo Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 29, 2025 3:01 PM in response to MartinR

Is using a speaker-to-line-level converter the only way to get this system to record using audacity and a laptop?

Apr 29, 2025 6:20 PM in response to MartinR

What about using a 1/4" or a 3.5mm stereo headphone out to RCA.

A workable possibility?

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 5, 2025 9:52 AM in response to blindbongo

👍🏻

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Stereo Cassette Analog to Digital Macbook Pro Conversion