Software
I searched the Web for software to capture, edit, and record sound and found Audacity.
Audacity® is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds and is available for Mac OS
X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. While I waited for my turntable to
be delivered, I experimented with Audacity by connecting the Sony Walkman and capturing a few
selections from tape. This exercise taught me the basics of navigating Audacity and revealed the need
to download and install additional software (called “LAME”, also free) for creating .mp3 files.
As soon as my turntable was delivered, I connected the turntable and let Windows discover it.
This process was smooth, AFTER I read the Audacity documentation and Forum and set the software
“Preferences” correctly. I then had to learn how to switch between the Walkman and the turntable,
which took some – no surprise – practice.
What to Buy (v. What to Keep)
After I played and captured some of the LP's I have, I found Audacity's noise removal tools to
be impressive. However, I also found the quality on some of my LP's to be poor, so I began a search of
the Web for replacement tracks. Surprisingly, I found some obscure 1950's West Coast jazz tracks at
Walmart for $.94/track and iTunes for $.99/track, so I may be able to recover those tracks that are
really too noisy to repair.
The Road (Tracks) Ahead
I'm still looking at racks of LP albums and stacks of tapes, but I've made a dent and they no
longer look as formidable. Now, as for the “honey-do” list, ...
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Additional Notes
•
My contact information is:
Stanley Nickerson
25 Teal Point Drive
Scarborough, ME 04074
207-883-5480
nickers723@yahoo.com
•
I'm still seeking a copy of three tracks from the April 6, 1957 Maine All-State Concert Festival recording,
produced by the Handel Recording Service, Deer Isle. The selections played by the All-State Band are; 1)
Londonderry Air, 2) Proud Heritage March, and 3) Sequoia. The director was Mr. Van Bodegraven. I will
appreciate any information or guidance.
•
The following websites are very helpful:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cgi-bin/product_search/turntables/turntables.pl – For
more information about the USB-connected turntable I purchased.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net – For downloading the software product Audacity.
http://audacityteam.org – For reference and advice on using Audacity.
http://reviews.cnet.com - For reviews of many, many products.
http://www.download.com – For free and priced software.
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Lame_Encoder.htm – For downloading LAME,
the free mp3 encoder software needed by Audacity to create mp3's.
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