Audio Recording II

Audio Recording I

Analogue Age

Anyone using a computer probably still remembers the old vinyl records L.P.s or Singles. My first computer didnt have the power to run music but the later ones allowed you play Compact Discs and even came with a set of crappy speakers so you could listen to music. Then around 2002 or so most computers came with software packages to play and manage your CDs and store them as well. Funny enough I was a late starter as I already had an excellent stereo system and Hi Fi speakers. Before I became a user of computers for playing my music collection others were using small portable 'MP3' players and downloading music from their computer. In 2001 Apple presented their first iPod. At the time even Apple didnt realise the revolution in music this would cause. Not going into the whole story again but you can actually see nearly all the Music shops have gone, Apple themselves still have 'iPod' market wrapped up and everyone uses their computer to play music. Many may still wish they could digitise their own old LP's, Tapes, Minidiscs etc. I have loads of old L.P.s in the Attic and in boxes all over the place. it is possible to record or 'burn' them on CD or directly in to itunes. But it is very time consuming. Basically if an LP is 45 minutes it takes, 45 minutes to play and record. Plus more time to edit, mess about with the music etc. Unless you have time its not really worth it or it has to be music you cant but on CD or you have some sentimental attachment to the recording.
What do you need to record an L.P. on to your computer.
1. Patience. One L.P. may take 3-4 hours if you want to record, clean up and edit tracks.
2. Sturdy Table to store your L.P.s, Turntable and Laptop. Somewhere comfortable and without any distractions.
3. Cables, Either you connect your Record Player through your Hi-Fi Amplifier and then via a Mini-Jack into Laptop, or buy a new USB Turntable.
4. Recording Software, available free on the Internet, or GarageBand comes from on all Apple Computers.
5, More patience and loads more time.

I have a couple of PDF diagrams on how to do the digitising. I was asked to give a demonstration recently and I made a few notes to help those foolish enough to go down this time consuming ordeal.