from cassettes to cds digitizing audio. topics overview tools required media types preparing the...
TRANSCRIPT
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.
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
Overview
Benefits of Digitization• Preserve the Original Recordings • Improve the Sound Quality • Accessibility• Portability
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
Tools Required
Computer with:• Soundcard and microphone or line-in jack.• Speakers• CD/DVD Burner and CDs/DVDs• Internet connection to download the software
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
Tools Required
Cassette or other media player with:• Headphone or Line-Out Jack• 1/8” male-to-male stereo patch cable
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
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/
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
Media Types
Vinyl Records
• Virtually obsolete• Difficult to keep in good shape• Require a lot of space to store/archive
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
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
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
Media Types
Audio Cassettes
• Becoming Obsolete• Prone to failure• Audio quality degrades over time• Require a lot of space to store/archive
Ontario Library Service - North 2009
Preparing the Computer
• Download and Install Audacity – Get Audacity
• Download and Install the MP3 creation software– Get the MP3 Software
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Preparing the Computer
• Adjust the Windows recording properties to use the microphone jack for recording
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Preparing the Computer
Connect the cassette player to the computer
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Recording the Audio1. Insert cassette into cassette player
2. Start Audacity– START>ALL PROGRAMS>AUDACITY
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Recording the Audio1. Click the Record button in Audacity
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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
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The Recorded Audio!
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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
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Creating an MP3
In Audacity,
1. Click File>Export as MP3
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Creating an MP3
2. Name the file and save
to your desktop for now
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The MP3 has been created!
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Burning a CDInsert a CD into the CD drive
Click START>ALL PROGRAMS>WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
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Burning a CDDrag the MP3 you just created from your desktop into Windows Media Player
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Burning a CDClick the “START BURN” button
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Burning a CDThe CD will burning process will start
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Status indicator will show percentage complete
Burning a CDRemove the CD, label it, and play it on any standard CD player!
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Transferring to a Portable Media Player
Connect portable media player
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Transferring to a Portable Media Player
Windows Media Player will recognize the device
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Portable Media Player
Transferring to a Portable Media Player
Click the Sync tab
Drag the MP3’s in
Click “Start Sync”
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Sync Tab
Start Sync
Transferring to a Portable Media Player
The files are now on the portable media player!
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Demo
Ontario Library Service - North 2009