Using your Mac as a tape recorder

Apple computers are sound-ready, but you will need to download sound recording software. Two very good packages are SndSampler, downloadable from: http://www.provide.net/~moorepower/ahg/sndsampler/ , and Sound Studio, downloadable from:http://www.felttip.com . You can provisionally try each software package before purchasing. SndSampler costs $30.00, and Sound Studio costs $50.00.

1. Set the recording parameters to 44.1Khz., 16-bit mono:

2. Use an external microphone. DO NOT use your Mac's internal microphone.
If you have a PowerPc Mac, you must use a special plaintalk microphone that plugs into the 1/8" stereo input jack.

Be certain to set your Mac's sound input choice to External Mic. NOT Built-in Microphone. You can do this either from within the software package, or from your Mac's Sound Control Panel: if you have a mac with a 1/8" stereo input jack, you will set the Control Panel to the following:

If you have a newer G3 or G4 Mac with USB ports, you can get a special adapter (shown below) from GriffinTechnology. It costs $35.00, and can accomodate most microphones with 1/8" stereo plugs. Follow the directions that come with this device to be sure that USB audio (external mic) is selected.

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3. Record and save the file as AIFF on your hard disk.