depends on your deck, if you have a full size like mine, it has rca outs, so i used an rca>mini, or if your pre has an rca out then use it, if not, then your gonna have to go mini>mini out from your headphone jack, but i think that will burn up your batteries quicker. but will still work. i did the same thing the first time i used my dat, and trust me you'll be amazed, i was. +T to ya. hope your first tape sounds as sick as mine.
matt