Digitizing Those Old Records And Tapes

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Photo by OndraSoukup

Everyone who is old enough to have listened to music before CDs has a collection of vinyl records and magnetic tape cassettes stashed somewhere. These records not only have fantastic cover art but also music that still sounds great. Now, there is a concerted effort to develop hardware and software that allows you to convert that analog sound into a digital format and organize it on a CD or an MP3 player.

Firstly, you will need a turntable and/or a cassette player. Since you will be using a computer to convert your old sound into a digital format, you’ll need a cable that connects the turntable or cassette player to your PC or Mac. Cables with the old-style audio jacks on one end and a USB connector on the other end are quite common and can be found in electronic stores like Radio Shack.

Your computer should have a sound card, which has been a standard feature on PCs for some time now. You may also need to add an amplifier of some sort to the setup because the turntable or cassette player alone may not produce enough sound. However, this should not be too difficult, as the amplifier that powers your sound system typically still has “audio in” and “audio out” jacks, regardless of when it was built.

The final component in this process is the right software. While there is software available for purchase, there are also freeware options. One example is the open-source recording and editing software called Audacity, which can be found at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. Adobe offers a program called Encore that is available for a 25-day free trial, and for Mac users, GarageBand is part of the Mac software available through retail outlets.

That’s the basic setup. Once you have your old-school hardware connected to your computer, you will need to stop after each track to create a discrete recording. This process requires attention to detail, especially if you have a large collection of records. It’s one song at a time, unless, of course, you want to upload the entire album as a single MP3 file. The sentimental attachment to these older songs comes into play, as this process can become a labor of love.

There are streamlined tools available on the market, such as the Audio-Technica turntable with the appropriate cables, amplification, and software. A similar product called a USB Turntable can be found at www.firebox.com. The price range for these conversion turntables is around $100 to $130.

There are also online services available that can handle the conversion process for you, but many of them tend to be pricey. One service, http://avconvert.com/audio/price_list_cassette.html, not only converts your LP or cassette tape but also removes any audio imperfections and reproduces the cover art. You send them the recording, and they take care of the rest, but the costs start at around $20 or more, depending on the medium and the level of service you require.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME