How to Convert Analog Audio to Digital With an Apple Computer

With the dawn of the digital era, analog audio seems to be going the way of the dodo, but that doesn't mean you have to throw out your albums and purchase your favorite music all over again. Converting analog audio is more time consuming than difficult. With the right tools, all you have to do is plug in a few things, hit record and then press "Play."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Download Quicktime Pro. Basic Quicktime does not have the settings you need. Go to file dropdown menu and select new audio recording. You can use other programs if you don't have the 30 bucks at the moment. Audacity is a freeware program available, and for newer Apple computers with the iLife suite, GarageBand can act as an audio capturing tool.

2. Find or purchase a male-to-male stereo patch cord. This looks like the jack on your headphones, but is the same on both ends of the cord. Visit your local electronics store if you don't already own one.

3. Plug one end of the stereo patch cord into the media reader you are converting your media from (for example, a tape deck or record player) where you would normally plug in headphones.

4. Insert the other end into the port for your audio input, which should be near the audio output on your Apple computer. For newer Macs this symbol looks like a circle with two triangles on either side.

5. Adjust settings in Quicktime Pro to import the audio from the microphone port on your computer. Newer Macs have a built-in microphone which disables the microphone jack on the back of your computer. Go to your Preferences to change the input to the microphone connected via jack.

6. Hit the Record button and push "Play." You can always cut out the delay after recording. It's actually a lot harder to re-record and splice together anything you accidentally cut out at the beginning.

7. Save your file. Once you are finished, you can highlight portions of the audio files and then copy and paste them into a blank Quicktime file to create individual files for each piece of audio. Save each one and name them accordingly.