How to Convert an Audio Signal to Digital
Most record players or cassette decks don't put out a signal that is strong enough for computer audio circuits to use properly. A USB line-level audio interface lets you overcome this issue by boosting the strength of the signal so that it becomes usable. In addition, a USB audio interface will let you connect many pieces of audio equipment to a computer.
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Things You'll Need
- USB line-level audio interface
- Audio editing software
- Turntable or cassette deck
Instructions
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Connect the phono cables from your turntable or cassette deck to the line-in jacks of a USB audio interface. Ensure that the left and right plugs are inserted into the correct jacks so that the audio channels aren't reversed.
Plug the USB cable from the interface into a USB port on your computer.
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Launch an audio-editing program. Adjust the recording level so that the recorded sound will not be too loud.
Press the "Record" button in your audio editor, then start playing your vinyl LP or cassette.
Pause the recording when the first side of the LP or tape has finished playing. Flip the record or cassette to the next side. Begin playing the second side, then press again the "Pause" button in your audio editor to resume recording.
Press the "Stop" button on your audio editor after the record or tape has ended. Stop the record player or cassette deck.
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Save the audio file that you just recorded in MP3, WAV, or WMA (Windows Media) format. Give it a unique name, so that it's easy to find in your audio player.
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Tips & Warnings
Some audio editing software packages, such as Audacity, offer a pop-and-click removal filter. This is useful when converting scratchy vinyl LP's to digital.
Many audio editing programs also offer filters and equalization settings that let you customize the sound or remove noise.
Use the editing software to break up an album into parts, and then save the parts with names that match song titles. Some conversion programs, such as Acoustica's Spin It Again, let you type in album track and album information while recording.
Obey copyright laws when converting music from vinyl records and tapes to digital formats. Many jurisdictions will allow you to make one copy for personal use. But you may not make additional copies and distribute them to others. Check local laws if you're uncertain about what you can record.
No audio editing or sound enhancement software can remove all noise. Aggressive noise reduction can remove most noise, but at the expense of overall sound quality.
References
Resources
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