Dear HelpScreen

I have a substantial and aging collection of Rock & Roll music on both LPs and audio cassettes and would like to copy it all onto CD and/or DVD before it's too late.

However, I am not totally sure of how to go about the task and what hardware/software I need.

I would be grateful if you could give me advice as to how to achieve this or perhaps suggest readings that may help. My minimal understanding of the process says that I need to be sure of the following before I start:

(a) What connections/cables are needed to connect my stereo to the PC and is it possible to transfer the music via the headphone/microphone jacks ?

(b) What is a recommended standard of sound card needed to obtain acceptable music results on a CD ? (My current Celeron 1000 PC running Windows XP has an integrated VIA AC'97 Audio Controller.)

(c) What software do I need to transfer the music from the stereo.

(d) What software do I need to edit the music once captured on the PC ? For example, to split continuous music into the individual tracks.

(e) What file formats are usually used to store master copies of music and for playing on CDs/DVDs ?

My collection totals about 40-50 hours of music, so I would like to get the process right from the beginning.

Thanks in advance.

Regards Roy Hayward

Re: Transferring Music from LPs/Cassettes to CDs

Roy,

First you need a turntable with sufficient output to meet sound card input requirements. Most magnetic cartridges do not have sufficient output- about 300mv is required so you may need a pre-amplifier- or if you have a normal amplifier with an auxiliiary output.

Connections- simple- from an amplifier two RCA plugs to a 3-core miniature jack plug to plug into the line-in on your sound card. I also have an AC97. This cable can be fabricated if you have the materials or bought directly from various sources (DSE).

To record the music, I use the Wave Recorder from Nero. This is also a good editing tool. You can cut and do all that I feel is required for basic editing with this. There have been a number of programs- LP recorders published on PCW Cover CDs- I have one but have never used it so I cannot comment- They may also be more than satisfactory for your purpose.

File formats- Depends on what you want- CD's, MP3's etc. I usually burn CD and use the WAV format. MP3 conversion requires conversion software- It can be done with Media Player 10 by 'ripping' from the burnt CD.

I have 'burnt' possibly 200 LPs to CD and all sound great.

I small tip- If you have a record cleaning brush like a 'dust bug' which cleans while playing- wet, yes wet your record with a weak solution of water an detergent and you will get an immediate and great increase in sound quality.

If you are in Melbourne and need an amplifier, I have one for free that works (except for the tuner)

Re: Transferring Music from LPs/Cassettes to CDs

Like Dick says there is lot you need to ask and know before you proceed with this.

There is an excellent web site with a very detailed step by step procedure to aid beginners in this conversion process.

Try this web site for some comprehensive tips and steps.

http://www.a-reny.com/iexplorer/restauration.html

Cut and paste it into your Address window on your browser so you dont need to type it.

Re: Transferring Music from LPs/Cassettes to CDs

Melbourne PC Users group run classes on this if you need additional help. Goldwave is a good program that I would recommend. It can record, filter, maximise and break up a wave file (of side 1 or 2) of an LP recording into individual tracks. I'm not sure whether it can convert to MP3s but I use the freeware program CDex for that.

Re: Transferring Music from LPs/Cassettes to CDs

Roy,

I had a look at the site that Phillip suggested. It has some excellent information but IMO it goes into too much detail for amateurs. So don't let it scare you.

I'll admit that my hearing is not all that good these days but I find that the results I get from using the Wave recorder in Nero to provide a file of sufficient quality to meet my requirements. I use Goldwave to actually 'cut' up the LP 'side' recording into separate tracks by marking the 'silence' under the cue points and then splitting the file. Goldwave will prompt for the save of these tracks. I usually then take the tracks back into Nero and 'top & tail' them by muting or fading in/out to get rid of the noise at the start and finish.

If I notice large 'pops', I usually go to the spot- they are quite visible on screen, zoom in until I can actually see the 'pop' and then use the 'sound reduction' feature in Nero. I used to delete the offending noise but I have found that a more satisfactory result comes from sound reduction. It's just a matter of trial and error- Just don't save the file while you're trying out different filters etc.

In the end- I believe that if you know how to play a record and have the equipment necessary and can burn a CD, you're probably 2/3's of the way there- all you have to do is connect one to the other.

Happy recording.

Re: Transferring Music from LPs/Cassettes to CDs

All my oldies were on tape to start with.

I used MusicMatch Jukebox software (AKA MMJB)(which is a player and a concealed recorder) which can be downloaded for free from the 'net, and a portable stereo which has jacks on the back for connecting external speakers. I bought the relevant cable from my local Dick Smith store.

You can go one step further with MMJB and convert the music once it is on your computer into MP3's or WAV's.

Then simply use 'Nero' to burn these files to disc.