Digitizing Analog Audio Macintosh

Transcription

1 Digitizing Analog Audio Macintosh DIGITIZING ANALOG AUDIO (MAC) This guide shows how to convert audio in an audiocassette (analog) format to a digital format that can be played on commercial CD players as well as personal computers (Mac or PC). Overview: Connect the equipment Digitize the audio with Audacity Import audio files into itunes Burn files to CD Connect the Equipment Minijack-to-RCA connection USB audio interface If you are using the audio cassette player with stereo channel outputs (look for two dials for sound levels), connect the equipment as follows: 1. Insert the white minijack-to-rca connector into the left audio cassette line out (L). 2. Insert the red minijack-to-rca connector into the right audio cassette line out (R). 3. Insert the RCA end of the connector into the microphone slot on USB audio interface. 4. Insert the USB audio interface connector into one of the USB ports on the Mac. If you are using the audio cassette player with mono channel outputs (look for one dial for sound level), connect the equipment as follows: 5. Insert the white minijack-to-rca connector into the audio cassette line out. 6. Follow steps 3-4 above. After connecting the equipment, verify that the computer is set to process input as follows: 7. Click the System Preferences in the dock, then select the Sound panel. 8. Under the Input tab, select imic USB audio system as your input device.

2 9. Launch Audacity by clicking the icon in the dock. 10. In Audacity, make sure Audacity > Preferences > Audio I/O > Recording Device is set to imic USB audio system. Digitize Audio with Audacity 11. Cue the tape to the point at which you want to start recording. 12. In Audacity, click the Record button to start recording a new track. 13. Press the Play button on the cassette deck. 14. When you've finished recording, press the Stop button on the cassette deck. 15. Click the Stop button in Audacity. 16. To trim any blank audio from the beginning and end of the recording, use the cursor to select the blank audio segments, then press delete on the keyboard. 17. If you want to do further editing or export in multiple formats, save the audio clip as an Audacity project: File > Save Project As then choose a location, enter a file name, and select Format: Audacity project (*.aup). 18. Under the File menu, select either Export as WAV or Export as MP3: WAV - uncompressed format with high-quality sound but large file size - for archiving audio or creating high-quality audio CDs. MP3 - compressed format with slightly lower quality but smaller file size - for storing maximum number of songs on MP3 CD or to play in MP3 player. Import audio files into itunes 19. Open itunes by clicking the icon in the dock. 20. Under itunes > Preferences > Importing: a. Select an audio encoder: AAC - compressed format for use with itunes & ipod AIFF - uncompressed format for maximum quality audio CDs Apple Lossless - compressed format for use with itunes & ipod MP3 - compressed format with highest compatibility with MP3 players WAV - uncompressed format for maximum quality audio CDs b. Using the Setting drop-menu, select a quality option that best meets your needs. In general, you will be choosing between better quality and smaller file size.

3 21. Under itunes > Preferences > Burning: a. Choose a disc format: Audio CD - standard format that plays on CD players and computers. MP3 CD - plays only in some commercial CD players (check your product info for compatibility) and most computers; stores up to 12 hours of audio versus 80 minutes for Audio CD. Data CD - plays on computers but not CD players; use to back up files. 22. Select File > New Playlist. 23. Enter a playlist title. 24. Drag and drop audio files onto the song list pane. 25. After a file has been imported, select the file and click -i or File > Get Info. 26. In the Info pane, enter optional information in the fields provided. This information displays in media players and is useful for searching the itunes library and printing CD inserts and playlists. Note: audio files imported from CDs or online music stores generally include this data.

4 Burn files to CD 27. Insert a blank CD-R disk. If a pop-up window displays, click Ignore. 28. Select the playlist and click File > Burn Playlist to CD. 29. Click Burn Disc

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