How to Record a CD to an Audio Cassette Using Amplifier

Last Updated: February 14, 2022

Here you can learn about recording music from CD's to a cassette (audio) tapes using a DVD/CD player and an amplifier hooked up to a tape recorder unit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Setting up the Amplifier and Gathering Supplies

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-1.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Make sure you have access to the back of the amplifier and other equipment.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-2.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This works best if you use an amplifier with 2-prong or 3-prong power inputs so that you won't need so many ports in your wall-outlet.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-3.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Connect your CD/DVD player to your cassette deck (recorder).
- Connect "Audio Out" on the CD/DVD player INTO the "Line IN" on the cassette recorder, using RCA jacks.
- If red is present but no white, use the red in the red ports and the other color (sometimes black) in the other port. Connect the same colors on BOTH devices.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Connecting the Tape Recorder to the Amplifier

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-4.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-5.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Plug in the correct colors, and then feed the unconnected RCA ends into the corresponding "Tape 1" or "Tape 2" inputs on the amplifier.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-6.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Red into Red and the other color into where the 'white' RCA jack would normally go.)

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Preparing your Tape and CD

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-7.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
The CD/DVD player setup:
- Turn on DVD/CD player.
- Insert disc you want to copy from.
- Close player and press the "Stop" button on the player (or on remote if available).
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-8.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
The Cassette Tape recorder set-up:
- Open recording deck (the side where recording can take place, usually the right side deck).
- Insert blank tape or old tape that you want to record over. (No longer than 90 minutes due to magnetic strips being too thin and wearing out easily during playback).

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Recording the CD to the Audiotape

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-9.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
This can be done two ways: Turn on amplifier and set it to Tape Deck 1 or 2 (whichever you plugged the RCA jacks into). First Method:Second Method:
- Press the record and play buttons simultaneously (ie. "at the same time") on the Audiotape player and press the play button on the CD/DVD player after about 3 seconds of the Audiotape recording.
- Press play on the DVD/CD player AND at the same time press the Record/play buttons on the cassette deck.
- Note: This method may cause your tape to not catch the beginning of a song or speaking part from the CD you're copying from.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Finishing the recording process

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-10.jpg\/aid6136009-v4-728px-Record-a-CD-to-an-Audio-Cassette-Using-Amplifier-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
When the CD is done playing, you can hit the stop button on the recorder and stop the CD from playing.
- Put disk away and write down a title on the tape you copied to.
- Insert new disk and continue recording on the tape if you have free space.
- To record again, simply press record on the deck and the play button on the DVD/CD player as described in the previous step.
- Don't forget to turn everything off and unplug your equipment when you're finished!

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I handle spaces between songs?

Community Answer

In your media player preferences page look for the menu that says burning options. There will be a question that asks you if you want a gap between songs. Check the box that says seamless recording which should get rid of the gap.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

Is it possible to record on the second side of the tape?

Community Answer

Yes. Just flip the cassette once you've filled one side and record on the other.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Try to demagnetize your tape player and/or clean the heads so that your recording experience is at its best quality.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Try to avoid a 3-way split for powering your equipment as the outlet may overheat and cause a large spark or a fire. Use a multi-port strip for better protection if amplifier does not have power inputs.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

*Do not unplug anything while recording, doing so may corrupt the tape and may cause static if the speakers are turned on.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Log in

How to Record a CD to an Audio Cassette Using Amplifier

Steps

Setting up the Amplifier and Gathering Supplies

Connecting the Tape Recorder to the Amplifier

Preparing your Tape and CD

Recording the CD to the Audiotape

Finishing the recording process

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories