Recording LP records to CD not only makes a record collection instantly portable, it also preserves the delicate grooves of old vinyl in a more durable digital format. Anyone with a substantial record collection probably owns a turntable, so the only other equipment needed for this project is a desktop or notebook computer installed with audio recording software, a soundcard and a CD burner. Most newer computers are bundled with CD burners and a soundcard for capturing audio from external devices. If the computer does not have recording software, packages with different features are available at electronics and computer stores. Free recording software is also available for downloading online; one type is linked the the resources section below.
Instructions
1. Connect the mini-plug on the Y adapter to the computer's soundcard jack, usually located on the back of the computer or along the left edge on laptops.
2. Attach the turntable's RCA audio plugs to the open jacks on the Y adapter.
3. Open the audio recording software on the computer by clicking the name of the software on the list of programs loaded on the computer.
4. Place an LP record on the turntable platter and lower the tonearm to the edge to begin playing the album.
5. Click the Record button on the recording software. This is the button with a red circle in the center.
6. Click the Stop button to finish recording the LP record.
7. Click the File tab in the top left-hand corner of the screen and choose Save.
8. Type the name of the LP recording in the box that will appear, then click Save as .WAV File in the box below the recording name. This stores the recording in a format suitable for burning to a disc.
9. Load a blank, recordable CD in the computer's media tray and close the tray.
10. Open the software for burning a CD. On a Mac system, this will likely be iTunes or QuickTime. On Windows computers, the Microsoft Media Player is the most commonly used software for burning CDs.
11. Click the Burn tab at the top of the screen on the right-hand side.
12. Click the File or My Music tab on the left-hand side of the screen to open the folder of digital audio files on the computer hard drive. Select the folder with the name of the LP recording to be burned to CD and hold the mouse button to grab this folder.
13. Drag the folder to the Burn List on the CD burner software.
14. Click Start Burn to begin copying the LP audio file to a CD. Wait for the disc to finalize before removing it from the computer.
Tags: recording software, audio recording, audio recording software, Click File, name recording, record collection, software burning
