I am recording a cassette to my hard drive. I have used several programs, some of the programs I used created poping sound while recording them. Others would create hissing noises, as well as recording the song. I am looking for a high quality Line-In recorder. I would prefer a free version. If you know of any please let me know!

you need this http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/cdexos/cdex_151.exe?download just click on the download from any of the links its cdex it will allow you to record from the line in in many different formats wav, mp3, wma ogg vorbis, loads more for tapes i suggest using 160 kbps mp3 and cd 192 kbps

I was wanting a program to record streaming audio with and someone at computing.net recommended this, http://www.highcriteria.com/ Like you the quality was a miss on several other things I have tried. This program I am extremly pleased with. It is the same quality as you hear. It has no defects. There is a small charge to purchase the standard edition but it is well worth it. You can also save as mp3 with this as well. Total Recorder is the choice for me! Check it out. No brag just fact as will sonnet used to say! Roll with the changes! Lets Roll!

Oh one other note! Dont expect to get fine digital sound out of those cassette tapes! It just isnt going to happen. You get out of it what you put into it. The recorder makes a differance but its not going to change the real sound that is comming from the tapes. Roll with the changes! Lets Roll!

Does your sound card matter? I have the factory one installed on mine, should I look at buying a more expensive one?

Hi Ian, the quality of recording into PC always depends on the performance of your sound card and it's drivers/versus DirectX filters in your system. Good software you can find cheaply, too. For example the above mentioned TotalRecorder and various others. For recording you can also use the Nero WavEdit delivered with burningSW (I do use it for example in combination with the poor old SoundBlaster AWE64 for recording old MCs from simple Sony Walkman...) or at home via Adobe Audition plus CMI8738 5.1 sound-card. This more sophisticated software is better to work with as you can then subsequently "clean-up" your recordings from hiss, cracks etc. or simply "to play with" or create your own music. Take care!