From Cassettes to CDs

From Cassettes to CDs

Digitizing Audio

Topics

• Overview • Tools Required• Media Types• Preparing the Computer • Recording the Audio• Editing the Audio• Creating an MP3• Burning a CD• Transferring to Portable Media Player• Hands-On Demo

Ontario Library Service - North 2009

Overview

What is the goal?

Preserve/Archive cassette recordings by converting them into a digital format and storing them on CD or other digital media.


Overview

Benefits of Digitization• Preserve the Original Recordings • Improve the Sound Quality • Accessibility• Portability


Tools Required

Computer with:• Soundcard and microphone or line-in jack.• Speakers• CD/DVD Burner and CDs/DVDs• Internet connection to download the software


Tools Required

Cassette or other media player with:• Headphone or Line-Out Jack• 1/8” male-to-male stereo patch cable


Tools Required

Software:• Audio Processing software

– Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

• CD/DVD Burning Software – Windows Media Player

• Portable Media Player Software (if using iPod)– iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/


http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Media Types

Vinyl Records

• Virtually obsolete• Difficult to keep in good shape• Require a lot of space to store/archive


Media Types

Compact Disks

• Still a popular choice• Sound quality does not degrade• Can be difficult to maintain similar to vinyl records• Can require a lot of space to store/archive


Media Types

Audio Cassettes

• Becoming Obsolete• Prone to failure• Audio quality degrades over time• Require a lot of space to store/archive


Preparing the Computer

• Download and Install Audacity – Get Audacity

• Download and Install the MP3 creation software– Get the MP3 Software


http://iweb.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/audacity/audacity-win-1.2.6.exe

http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/


• Adjust the Windows recording properties to use the microphone jack for recording



Connect the cassette player to the computer


Recording the Audio1. Insert cassette into cassette player

2. Start Audacity– START>ALL PROGRAMS>AUDACITY


Recording the Audio1. Click the Record button in Audacity


Recording the Audio

• Press the play button on the cassette player• Audio is now recording on your computer• When the recording is finished, stop the cassette player and stop Audacity


The Recorded Audio!


Editing the Audio

• Normalization– Making the audio louder and more even

• Hiss Removal/ Noise Reduction– Reduce the hiss that is common with cassette recordings

• Fun Effects– Echo– Delay


Creating an MP3

In Audacity,

1. Click File>Export as MP3


Creating an MP3

2. Name the file and save

to your desktop for now


The MP3 has been created!


Burning a CDInsert a CD into the CD drive

Click START>ALL PROGRAMS>WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER


Burning a CDDrag the MP3 you just created from your desktop into Windows Media Player


Burning a CDClick the “START BURN” button


Burning a CDThe CD will burning process will start


Status indicator will show percentage complete

Burning a CDRemove the CD, label it, and play it on any standard CD player!


Transferring to a Portable Media Player

Connect portable media player



Windows Media Player will recognize the device


Portable Media Player


Click the Sync tab

Drag the MP3’s in

Click “Start Sync”


Sync Tab

Start Sync


The files are now on the portable media player!


Demo


Documents

From Cassettes to CDs