from cassettes to cds digitizing audio. topics overview tools required media types preparing the...

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

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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

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Media Types

Audio Cassettes

• Becoming Obsolete• Prone to failure• Audio quality degrades over time• Require a lot of space to store/archive

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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