![cassette mate cassette mate](http://www.cyclingabout.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/JTek-Shiftmate-Low-Gears-Touring-.jpg)
Wait a second or two for the tape to get on the magnetic portion, and play your music. Press the record button if the record light isn't on, and press the play button to start the tape. When everything is set, noise reduction, bias, and volume, reset your music and pause it. Adjust the volume on your tape deck for the best level of sound if able. Then, press the record button with a tape in and play your music. I have mine set to the analog ports for the CD section, which is where I have my iPod plugged in. If you have the option, such as shown, activate the tape deck channel over the desired channel you want to record. First, turn on your tape deck and receiver and make what you intend to record is plugged in to the deck. Shown above are three cassettes, a Type I with the tabs pushed in, a Type II with the tabs present, and a Type I with the holes taped over.
![cassette mate cassette mate](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61b+hZfiXvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
When you have a tape to record, make sure first that the write-protect tabs are present or the holes are covered, as this allows you to record to a tape. Chrome tapes have extra notches next to the write-protect tabs. How a deck tells the tape apart for playing is the notches on the top (shown above). By far the best sound quality, but are generally more expensive than Type I or II. Type IV: Known as metal tapes, they used a direct metal formulation instead of oxide particles. These tapes combined the formulas for Type I and Type II as an experiment to make the ultimate tape, combining the bass response of the I and the highs of the II, these were unpopular and are generally rare. These record better highs, and sound generally better than Type I tapes. Type II (shown): made of chromium dioxide formula, called Type II, high bias, or chrome tapes. They are: Type I (shown): Standard ferric oxide magnetic tapes, called Type I, normal bias, or ferric tapes, etc. I bought the two chrome tapes still wrapped in plastic at my local hardware store and the other at a thrift store.
![cassette mate cassette mate](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/78/c6/5f/78c65f5c26aa404abfa3710b29fc6ac2.jpg)
You can find tapes at places like hardware stores or thrift stores, or buy them in bulk online. When recoding music, it's best to record on blank tapes.