Record output jacks on computer?

Butch Pytko · Post by **Butch Pytko** » 2 Nov 2012 11:55 am

I have a Gateway desktop, about 4 months old. I would like to record from the computer to a tape deck. I see the small mini headphone jack mounted on the front panel--can I use that as an output jack? Is it stereo? I see the small oddball open jacks on the back, but nothing is labeled. I preferably would like the left and right channel output. Thanks.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 2 Nov 2012 1:29 pm

The headphone jack is stereo. There is also a GREEN speaker/Line Out (stereo) on the rear and that can also be used.

They jacks accept standard 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo plugs. The Tip usually is Left channel and the Ring is the Right channel.

Joe Gall · Post by **Joe Gall** » 3 Nov 2012 5:37 pm

I use the GREEN output on the back of the PC just as Jack said and it works great! I send that right into one of the channels on my Carvin PA head then I go out of my Carvin PA head from the "tape out" RCA sends, convert them to a single stereo 1/8" input and go right back into my PC on the RED input on the back of the PC. Works perfect!

I play backing tracks off the web on my PC through my PA, play along with them as I have my steel running into the PA as well (also my bass, electronic drums etc.) I can click "record" in Audacity and have it record everything, save it as a project. Play it back etc. Also what is nice with Audacity is you can record anything off the internet and record it on Audacity and then save it as any type of file you want. Then go back and add as many additional tracks (individually) as you would like. Then you can have full control of the final mix as each track is separate from the other etc.

All in all it's a pretty simple, free and easy set up to use if you have a PC and a PA head...