Audio Tape Cassette - Salvaging Software?

[gtd2000]

Hi Folks,
I've been tasked by my mother to see if I can transfer and old audio cassette to the PC and see if I can "clean it up".

It's an old recording - made by my brother (covertly) years ago of my father arguing with me when I was a kid and when my mother arrives home with her friend and asks, "what's wrong?" everybody maintains nothing has happened.

Only the tape captured all of it...lol

I've played about with some of the audio software that came with my SB Audigy card in the past but that was mainly for increasing the volume of mp3 files.

Are there any audio experts on here than can recommend either a freeware program or a trial program that can do what my mother expects?

If you have any advice how to transfer the audio in the first place that will be appreciated as I'm planning on hooking up and old Walkman to the audio in port and then recording it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[gtd2000]

Well I'm checking out GoldWave to see how that works out.

Any other suggestions keep 'em coming....

 

[Frodolives]

This page may be of interest to you.

I've had some nice results just using Nero Wave editor. Along with the filters, I find it intuitive and easy to zoom in close to soften or remove any ticks or pops.

 

[DanceMan]

You also have Magix Audio Cleaning Lab and Sound Forge Audio Studio

Some tips....

Record at the highest level you can without clipping.
Clean up your audio first, then apply normalization.
Don't turn on any noisy electrical items (microwaves, flouresent or halogen lights, etc), because you might add to the noise in the audio.
Don't use any audio tape noise processing (Dolby B or C), let the computer do the work.

Hope this help!

DanceMan