What pgm to convert cassettes / records to MP3's and/or WAV & MP3's to WAV's...?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 1998
Location: "Over THERE!"
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What pgm to convert cassettes / records to MP3's and/or WAV & MP3's to WAV's...?
I want to digitize our cassette and some records from our collection by capturing them on the computer via line-input, make the files either MP3's (at different bitrates) or WAV files, to burn on playable CD's.
I also want to take a growing MP3 collection and convert some to WAV to again burn to CD's.
Automating the "pause" between songs on the cassettes and records (and a few large MP3 files) so they can become individual tracks and not one large file is one feature I am after also.
There are a number of programs out there, but what is "the one" that is worth looking at that can do all the above, without needing a degree in geek-101?
Thanks,
C.O.
I also want to take a growing MP3 collection and convert some to WAV to again burn to CD's.
Automating the "pause" between songs on the cassettes and records (and a few large MP3 files) so they can become individual tracks and not one large file is one feature I am after also.
There are a number of programs out there, but what is "the one" that is worth looking at that can do all the above, without needing a degree in geek-101?
Thanks,
C.O.
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I've just started this sort of thing, using Nero software - Wave Editor and Burning Rom. I do both tapes and 12" vinyl.
Wave Editor doesn't automatically segregate the tracks using the pause between tracks, but it's really not hard to do manually - you just cut and paste llike you would any other document. Eg, cut track one, paste it into its own new document, then likewise for track two etc.
Wave Editor does different bitrates, but has recommended settings, which I use. Haven't experimented much, but I know the options are there.
When it 's burning time the interface is easy and pretty much self explanatory - you can see all the files you just created, can adjust the order you want to burn them, add titles to individual tracks, etc. Also print nice CD jackets for the jewel cases.
Wave editor comes with, I think, 15 or maybe 30 (can't recall) free conversions of .wav to .mp3. After that you have to buy Ahead's plug-in converter. USD$15.00. Keep a record of your transaction/invoice number, 'cos then you can get another copy if you lose your original. (Like I did in a HDD crash 'n' burn
) You can also do mp3 to wav, but, as with any conversion between formats, there's a loss of quality. Not much, but if you've got good gear and a critical ear you'll detect it.
There's a newish format out, mp3PRO, which compresses even further with, according to the proponents, a barely detectable further loss of quality. They say the minor loss is worth the compression and gain in media space over mp3, but it's really your call. The $15.00 download does that as well.
I found one average LP recorded in .wav format (about 45 min) easily fits on 1 600meg CD without conversion to mp3. With conversion you can put heaps more on - I think I figured 10 or 15 LPs to a CD or something like that. Maybe more, but I don't want to sound OTT. Can't recall accurately 'cos even after paying for the mp3 plug-in, I don't use it that much. I generally prefer one album to one CD, just like you buy at a shop. Also, there's a loss of quality going from any format to any other so I try to avoid conversions as much as possible. My family go for the BIG compilation CDs, so they're into the compression stuff (which I have to do for them).
'Course, if you don't have a 6 stacker CD in your car, just a single, you can put 6 albums (or more) on to a single CD and pretend!
I find Wave Editor's tools for fiddling with and enhancing the sound after you record it very useful. There's a graphic equaliser with some pretty nifty bandwidth controls. With another tool you can enhance attack, decay and dynamics and generally pretty much restore a soft, muddy old recording to something resembling respectability. I've only mentioned a couple of tools - there are quite a number.
There are other plug-ins as well - check out Nero's website here.
Nero's software may not have the bells and whistles you're after and you may already have decided to pass it by - your post didn't say what you'd looked at. Nero came free with my hardware and, having used it, I haven't found the need to explore further for my purposes. YMMV.
Cheers
AA
Wave Editor doesn't automatically segregate the tracks using the pause between tracks, but it's really not hard to do manually - you just cut and paste llike you would any other document. Eg, cut track one, paste it into its own new document, then likewise for track two etc.
Wave Editor does different bitrates, but has recommended settings, which I use. Haven't experimented much, but I know the options are there.
When it 's burning time the interface is easy and pretty much self explanatory - you can see all the files you just created, can adjust the order you want to burn them, add titles to individual tracks, etc. Also print nice CD jackets for the jewel cases.
Wave editor comes with, I think, 15 or maybe 30 (can't recall) free conversions of .wav to .mp3. After that you have to buy Ahead's plug-in converter. USD$15.00. Keep a record of your transaction/invoice number, 'cos then you can get another copy if you lose your original. (Like I did in a HDD crash 'n' burn
) You can also do mp3 to wav, but, as with any conversion between formats, there's a loss of quality. Not much, but if you've got good gear and a critical ear you'll detect it.There's a newish format out, mp3PRO, which compresses even further with, according to the proponents, a barely detectable further loss of quality. They say the minor loss is worth the compression and gain in media space over mp3, but it's really your call. The $15.00 download does that as well.
I found one average LP recorded in .wav format (about 45 min) easily fits on 1 600meg CD without conversion to mp3. With conversion you can put heaps more on - I think I figured 10 or 15 LPs to a CD or something like that. Maybe more, but I don't want to sound OTT. Can't recall accurately 'cos even after paying for the mp3 plug-in, I don't use it that much. I generally prefer one album to one CD, just like you buy at a shop. Also, there's a loss of quality going from any format to any other so I try to avoid conversions as much as possible. My family go for the BIG compilation CDs, so they're into the compression stuff (which I have to do for them).
'Course, if you don't have a 6 stacker CD in your car, just a single, you can put 6 albums (or more) on to a single CD and pretend!
I find Wave Editor's tools for fiddling with and enhancing the sound after you record it very useful. There's a graphic equaliser with some pretty nifty bandwidth controls. With another tool you can enhance attack, decay and dynamics and generally pretty much restore a soft, muddy old recording to something resembling respectability. I've only mentioned a couple of tools - there are quite a number.
There are other plug-ins as well - check out Nero's website here.
Nero's software may not have the bells and whistles you're after and you may already have decided to pass it by - your post didn't say what you'd looked at. Nero came free with my hardware and, having used it, I haven't found the need to explore further for my purposes. YMMV.
Cheers
AA
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Geriatrica, UK
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few thoughts to add. You're going to find a big fast HDD very useful as well as lots of RAM. I get by with a 120GB HDD at 7200rpm but I wish I had more than 256 MB RAM. But that's for the next generation PC chez fobs.
Yes, I use "ahead Nero" for this too. Its OK but there are probably better dedicated Applications out there. Remember you can cram masses of quite acceptable music onto Mini-Disks with compression and the quality is surprising. And if it came from tape initially then it can't be degraded any more.
Mini-Disks go happily with me in the car playing in the tiny Sony Net-MD Walkman through a dummy Adapter- Cassette inserted in the car's tape player. Quite acceptable considering the background engine/wind/tyre noise.
Latest problem found when searching for a goodish tape/CD playback machine to replace the unreliable Denon is the lack of "line-out" in the modern machines. Line-in or Aux is OK, but line-out is disappearing. Yamaha, at GBP800, have one but that's getting a bit steep for me at the moment.
Yes, I use "ahead Nero" for this too. Its OK but there are probably better dedicated Applications out there. Remember you can cram masses of quite acceptable music onto Mini-Disks with compression and the quality is surprising. And if it came from tape initially then it can't be degraded any more.
Mini-Disks go happily with me in the car playing in the tiny Sony Net-MD Walkman through a dummy Adapter- Cassette inserted in the car's tape player. Quite acceptable considering the background engine/wind/tyre noise.
Latest problem found when searching for a goodish tape/CD playback machine to replace the unreliable Denon is the lack of "line-out" in the modern machines. Line-in or Aux is OK, but line-out is disappearing. Yamaha, at GBP800, have one but that's getting a bit steep for me at the moment.
Metrosexual
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Enroute
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sonic Foundry 'Sound Forge' is a good audio editing / conversion program. Not sure of the price in all territories, but should be available from music equipment retailers.
http://www.sonicfoundry.com/products...ct.asp?PID=668
Usually for music professionals but not too difficult for gentiles to operate.
http://www.sonicfoundry.com/products...ct.asp?PID=668
Usually for music professionals but not too difficult for gentiles to operate.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: uk
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yup Nero is excellent. The new version here includes 'soundtrax' which automatically divides the album into tracks, instead of tedious editing in wave editor. I am just downloading it now, as an upgrade to nero 5.5 OEM it costs $39.99.
This months computer active zine in the Uk features it.
Very stable, and the nero express feature makes it childs play for beginners.
Sonic Foundry (just bought out by sony) make THE best music software ever. Intuitive and inspired. Perhaps more than you need, unless you're a muso too.
This months computer active zine in the Uk features it.
Very stable, and the nero express feature makes it childs play for beginners.
Sonic Foundry (just bought out by sony) make THE best music software ever. Intuitive and inspired. Perhaps more than you need, unless you're a muso too.
