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Once the PC and the audio equipment is set up properly, the next step is to convert the analogue signal from your cassette or vinyl record into a digital signal that can be manipulated on a computer.

  

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CONVERTING THE SIGNAL

To re-cap - we are now able to play an analogue signal (tape LP, etc..) through our PC speakers via our soundcard. The next step is to convert that sound into digital format. This is a job for software, and it's not an exclusive club...there are many, many options to choose from. It is possible to record the signal using 'MS Sound Recorder' (START, all programs, accessories, entertainment, Sound Recorder). This is not the best tool for the job, however, if you just want a 10 second sound effect or something along those lines, it will work fine. There are better options available and some of them are even free! I am going to use two examples as illustrations:

1. Magix Audio Cleaning Lab - inexpensive software developed for 'cleaning up' analogue recordings and burning to CD

2. Audacity - Versatile recorder with editing facility, freely available on the internet - see our download page

The list of software available is extensive, but the general principles illustrated here will apply to any software you choose to use. Follow the steps below to convert from analogue audio to digital, the individual steps from the two software examples have been placed side by side below. (Magix on the left, Audacity on the right)

Magix Audio Cleaning

Start the program and you should see a screen similar to the example below, on the left, there are three tabs named '1.Import', '2.Cleaning' and '3.Export'. Start with 'Import'.

Magix Audio Recording

Click on large central button marked 'Record Audio', and a dialogue box as illustrated below, should appear.

Magix sound source

Select the appropriate soundcard if there is a choice in the drop-down list. Use the 'Level Control' button and level indicators to set the right input level. At this point you can also change the 'Record Format' from WAV to MP3 or Ogg Vorbis, and the compression rate under 'Format Options'. Don't forget that you can still record in the default WAV format and export in a different format later.

The illustrations are from Audio Cleaning Lab Deluxe 2004, this version has options for Auto record stop (senses when the tape/record has stopped) and auto track recognition (looks for the spaces between tracks). There is also an option for timed recordings. When you have set all your settings and levels, start your analogue source from the beginning and press 'record'.

As the recording progresses, a visual representation of the recording will be displayed.

Magix recording screen

When your recording is complete, stop recording and close this dialogue box. Click on the second tab marked '2.Cleaning' - here you can apply a wizard to remove clicks and hiss automatically - simply press the silver looking button marked CLEANING to access the wizard, or play around with the settings to customise the sound. Click on 'Edit'/'Music Editor' to apply other effects. You can fade music in or out, cut & paste and do a host of other tasks - experiment on your recording or read the manual..

Magix auto adjust

When you have the completed track (don't forget to keep saving as you go along), Select tab 3.Export. Here we can burn the track(s) straight to CD or as an MP3 file.

Magix export

I haven't really done the software justice in this short document, there are loads of other tasks you can do, but I have limited this section to a simple recording task.

 

Audacity

Start the program and and a screen similar to the example below should appear:

Audacity start screen

Select: Edit/Preferences to access the dialogue box shown below

Audacity I/O

Use the 'Audio I/O' tab to select the soundcard you will use to record and playback your recordings (record/playback does not have to be through the same soundcard). You may use other tabs in this box to change the bit-rate of the recording, where your recordings will be saved and edit keyboard shortcuts etc..

Close this dialogue box when you have selected your preferences. Play your analogue source (tape, LP etc.), press the red 'record' button on the original Audacity start-up screen, then press 'Pause'. If the settings are right, you should see a visual representation of your recording at the top-right of the screen, and hear the sound through your speakers. The various channels on the seleted 'recording' soundcard are available in a drop-down menu. If you need to adjust volumes you can open up the PC mixer (START, All programs, accessories, entertainment, volume control).

When you are happy with your settings, start your analogue source from the beginning and press 'record'

Audacity recording

When you have completed your recording press the stop button. To apply effects to the recording, highlight a section of the recording and select from the drop-down 'Effects' menu.

Audacity effects

When you have a final recording that you are happy with, you can export as Ogg Vorbis MP3 (extra dll file required - see download page) or WAV file.

Audacity export

Audacity (at least the version I have used) does not burn the files to disc, so you will need separate CD burner software to get these files onto a CD. You could use something like Nero CD burner for this job.

Both these progams (Magix & Audacity) by default will save the recordings as a 'project' in their own file format - you can then export these projects as audio files as needed.

 

 

 

Users' comment:

I love your DIY guide! - CB

Thanks for the advice - AM

I just wanted to say thanks so much for your help and your website instructions - PP

I'm glad I was able to make a thank-you donation to you and to the people that offered Audacity. If I have the opportunity to direct people to a site to do the same task I'll definitely recommend yours. - FS

thnx a bunch. your step-by-step approach saved me a lot of hassle. - Anil

 

  

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This guide is on three pages:

Intoduction

Step One - Getting Started

Step Two - (this page)
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