Audio Recording Workshop by US Music Computers

Transferring vinyl records and cassettes onto CD.

Do you have your own turntable or cassette deck? Ready to try it with your computer? Here's what you need to get started:

Computer Hardware Recommendations:

Windows 7, Vista or XP:

	2, 4 or 6 Core Processor - Faster is better.
	6 Gb RAM or more
	DVD-RW or Blu-Ray Drive
	Sound Card - A higher quality sound card will give you better results and less noise from the internal computer environment. Most newer cards support higher bit rates and sample depths.
	Second Hard Drive - Faster is better.

Audio Hardware:

	Turntable or Cassette Deck
	Computer with a sound card and CD-R

Adapters:

Patch cord(s) and converters.

For most soundcards, you will need 2 RCA to 1/8” stereo phone plug (this is the most common input form, check your sound card)

Recording Software:

Note: Many of these programs require the latest version of DirectX™. You can install DirectX™ from here (it will require a reboot): DirectX™

	Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about.php?lang=en - Records well, limited ability to reduce noise, free.
	Adobe Audition www.adobe.com - Formerly Cool Edit, Pro level multi-track recording software.
	Sound Forge www.sonicfoundry.com - High quality two track recording and editing, several versions and prices.
	Noise Reduction 2.0 www.sonicfoundry.com- Reasonably priced noise reduction plug-in software, requires a host application.
	Diamond Cut http://www.diamondcut.com/ - Intended for reducing noise from records and tapes, has several versions and prices.
	Pro Tools Free http://www.digidesign.com/ptfree/ - Prosumer multi-track audio recording/editing software. Windows 98 and ME only.

- Additional Trial and Free software here -

Connecting the Components

Option 1:

Patch your turntable into your computer directly by using the adapter patch cord and plugging into the Mic Input on your soundcard. If the turntable has a preamplifier, or you are using a cassette deck, plug it into the Line Input .

Option 2:

Your home stereo system can be plugged directly into you computer by using a set of tape recorder inputs and outputs connected to the Line Input and Line Output on your soundcard. This will require two adapter patch cords, and will enable you to import audio and export it back to tape if you wish.

Turntables will require either a a pre-amplifier to boost the signal to a useable level or may be plugged into the mic input on your sound card for recording. Most older home audio amplifiers have a set of turntable input jacks. These jacks sometimes have a input level adjustment which you may need to change. Many newer home audio amplifier/receivers do not have turntable inputs. If this is your situation, you will need an external preamp, available at many stereo shops, or patch the turntable into the Mic Input. After you have connected the turntable to the amplifier, using the . If you are recording from tape, you can omit the amplifier because tape decks have a pre-amp built in.

Recording the audio:

	Sound card configuration sample depth - The precision with which a digital file describes the analog sound it represents. Basically, a lower rate produces files that sound worse and take up less drive space than those with a higher rate. CDs have a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, and DAT (Digital Audio Tape) machines have a sampling rate of 48 kHz. bit rate - in essence, a measure of how many bits describes each sound in an audio file. A low bit rate means lower quality and a smaller file size, while a high bit rate means better quality and larger files. 16 bit is CD quality.
	Setting the record level - open the volume control, select options, properties and then the recording radio button.
	Disk space considerations- 10 Mb per minute at 16/44.1 20 Mb per minute at 24/96
	1 disk? 2? Or more? If your system is fast enough, you should be able to get by with one hard disk for two track recording. A second disk will reduce the load on your computer if it is configured with the operating system and application on the primary drive and the audio and temporary files on the secondary drive. Many recording applications allow you to designate where the temporary audio will be written, and you should put it on the secondary drive:

If your system supports one of the newer hardware standards (ATA/100/133, or Serial ATA), it should be set up with the fastest drive as the secondary (audio) drive. ATA RAID 0 is an alternative setup for new computers that writes to both disks simultaneously and increases throughput speeds.

Processing the audio

	Making the level consistent
	The thumbnails at right show a common input level, and a level boosted to optimum volume for the same segment of a song. Click on each for a closer look at the difference.
	In order to create a CD that is consistent optimum throughout, your software may offer two options: Boosting volume - this is the equivalent of turning up the volume, Audacity allows you to prevent clipping (the recommended setting). Some programs do not have this option. In Audacity, go to Effect and choose Amplify. This procedure will amplify noise as well as audio. Normalizing - a more sophisticated feature provided by some audio editors, normalizing maximizes volume without clipping and will have adjustable parameters.
	Reducing Noise – Audacity reduces noise by taking a sample of noise only, creating a signature from that and then applying it to the entire recording. Select a small portion of the audio that has no music or voice in it, then go to Effects>Noise Removal then click Get Profile. Select the entire file, then return to Effects>Noise Removal, set the amount of noise removal you want and click Remove Noise. You may need to experiment with this setting to get the best results. Other editors will have their own methods of noise reduction, consult the programs Help file or manual for procedures.

Choosing a format

	.wav - large file size, burns to CD as .cda format and will play in any CD player that will read the CD.
	.mp3 - smaller file size, will play on your computer and other .mp3 enabled devices.

Burning the CD

Use Audio CD selection in CD software to enable recognition by CD players.
Organize your tracks in the order you want in your CD software.
Burn it.

Questions and Troubleshooting

Q. Why don't I hear anything through the computer speakers when I play a record/tape?

Check the physical connections for connectivity.

Does your turntable play through the stereo's speakers?

Tape outs on many amplifier/receivers are labeled play and record (rather than tape in and tape out). These are easy to connect backwards, so try reversing the patch cords (it won't hurt anything if they are hooked up wrong).

Is your stereo or turntable output plugged into the input jack of the soundcard?

Is your soundcard full duplex? If so is it configured for full duplex operation?
Does your recording software support monitoring? If not, you may need to monitor your recording through the stereo speakers.

Q. What is that humming sound?

A.
The most frequent cause of hum is a ground loop, caused when the sound system has two or more separate ground points. Try plugging all your components into a single surge protector. If you can't do that, make sure all your components are plugged into the same circuit in your house. Poor or damaged cables can also be a source of problems as hum can be picked up from light fixtures, motors, and other common electrical sources. Another potential cable-based source of hum is induced from power cabling into signal cabling. When the two types of cables are running parallel, the AC signal can be picked up by the audio cable, amplified, and broadcast. Keep your power and signal cables well separated, and if they must cross, always cross them at right angles to each other.

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