Preferred Hardware for Audio Transfer?

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 24 Dec 2001 9:46 am

Well, I've put it off as long as I can. My New Year project is to transfer my 45 year collection of misc reel-to-reel, eight track, vinyl, cassetts, live bandstand recordings, etc, to a CD format.

I have lurked around here long enough to have a pretty good grasp of the software available to accomplish the above, but my hardware (Gateway) will have to be upgraded or replaced before I do anything.

My question:..what brand or hardware configuration available currently would be considered "state of the art" for audio transfer to CD, and for using BIAB.

I would value the recommendations of those who have successfully accomplished this intimidating task.

Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!!!!! Gene Jones

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 24 Dec 2001 10:32 am

As far as the CD "burning" software, Roxio is the defacto standard that others reference.

Roxio also has a program that allows you to "record" wav files to the hard drive (or direct to CD but that is not recommended). The Roxio has some built in filters that do some pop/click cleaning, etc. It also allows you to automatically eqalize the levels in both channels.

As far as a sound card, The SoundBlaster's seem to be the defacto standard. There are high $$ audio cards but they are still "SoundBlaster compatible". If you go for a SB audio card, the "Live" series is a good choice but they have been discontinued and a new (more $$) line has replaced them. But there are a lot of SB Live audio boards still available and mostly at closeout prices.

Your hard drive requirements depend on what exactly you want to do. If you want to store a lot of audio songs (wav/MP3) on the hard drive then a minimum 40GB is suggested, especially with the relatively low price of Hard Drives. As you "record" songs from an external device, e.g. tape deck or turntable you really need to "record" the inputted songs to the hard drive and then after you have them on the hard drive burn (record) them to the CD. That way you can do any necessary processing (e.g. clean up the beginning and end) before burning them to the CD. Also with the songs on the hard drive you have the option of which order you want the songs to appear on the CD. Last, if you burn direct to CD and a problem develops the CD black becomes a "coaster" (no good) and recording to the hard drive first minimizes "coasters".

There are other programs that can be used for audio processing but the Roxio s/w and a program such as GoldWave is really all that's needed.

For BIAB the SoundBlaster is a good choice, too. SoundBlaster uses MIDI to generate it's songs in the native mode. It does have facilities to output the song as a wav or midi file and it has an option to import a midi file (in the V11). BIAB, if you buy the megapak, also comes with the Roland VSC33 software midi synthesizer for playing midi files. Many like the Roland VSC but I like the SB Live midi synth just as well and it avoids having another program to load. Unless you get a relatively inexpensive sound card you won't need the Roland VSC.

All that I've mentioned will run on a relatively old machine, you don't need the latest and greatest. If your PC is a Pentinum II, or equivalent, at least 64 MB memory (absolute minimum - 128MB is better) and at least WIN98 you probably have minimum h/w. If you are planning to upgrade to WIN XP(home) then you will need more PC horsepower.

Last, if you are going to buy a new PC, then you want what is mentioned as minimum hardware. Don't settle for some of the cheapie PC systems that have a 20GB hard drive, 64Mb of memory, etc - they are basic entry systems. Buy "overkill" or as much as your pocketbook can stand - down the road a year or two you will understand.

There will probably be other suggestions - this is mine.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 24 Dec 2001 11:56 am

Gene:
Jack pretty much dotted all the "i's" and crossed the "T's" for you on this one.
I will make mention of a software application which I use and have found it to best do the job I want a music software program to do. It is Cooledit 2000, registered version, with the noise reduction add-on. Cost is $69.00 for the program and $49.00 for the add-on. Very user friendly and does an excellent job of recording from all sources.
I also use a Sondblaster Live Platinum card with the 5 1/4 live drive that fits in an open 5 1/4 slot in the front of your pc. Has all the necessary hookups right out front for connecting external audio to the card. I also use a stereo receiver with a cassette deck, record player and 5 disk cd changer hooked up to it. Run a "Y" patch cord (rca plugs) to a standard 1/4" plug from the receiver to the "in" jack on the front live drive and away you go. Most all the clips on Ricky and I's site were recorded from cassette, record or cd using the above set-up.
If you have a midi device that you use in BIAB, it also will hook up in the front panel in its own midi "in" jack. (DIN)

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Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 24 Dec 2001 1:14 pm

I apparently have all the minimum requirements, Pentium III, 128 RAM, Soundblaster,etc, but I have no input connections for external devices.

Do I understand that there is a device for insertion in the "play CD" 5 1/4 slot on the front of my computer that provides the necessary inputs for my external recorders, players, etc?...If so, could you give me a name or brand?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 24 Dec 2001 1:41 pm

Gene, you have the input(s) on the back of your PC now. All you need is the "line in" (not mic in as it's mono). It is a minature stereo jack. That's the only input you use to record. I have a Radio Shack cable that I use, has the 1/8" minature stereo plug on one end and two RCA phone jacks on the other end for connecting a tape deck or the output from a preamp (you can't run the turntable direct unless it has a built in preamp).

There is a front panel version of the older SoundBlaster Live Platinum that came with an I/O panel that would fit in a 5 1/4" slot on the front of the PC. That model has been discontinued and the replacement model comes with an external I/O box and doesn't require an open PC front panel (list price is approx $250).

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 24 Dec 2001 2:29 pm

Jack, mine has only the mono microphone port, so looks like I am back to a "purchase new hardware" mode....I'll probably have to give this one to my wife and buy me a new one with the ports etc that I need. Thanks for your input! Gene[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 24 December 2001 at 02:33 PM.]

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 24 Dec 2001 3:01 pm

Gene, are you sure? I've never saw one that only had a mic and no line. I wonder if that port is actually either one. Check into the documentation or whatever you have. If not, you could buy an add on sound card. Much cheaper than a new PC (unless you need an excuse to buy a new PC

)

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 24 Dec 2001 5:01 pm

Jack:
Soundblasters new Audigy card comes with either/or. Also has an internal 5/14 complete with infra-red remote control. It sells for $199.99 and the EX version sells for $249.99. Considerable more up here in Canada.

Pics of both the internal and external can be seen here:

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[This message was edited by Graham on 24 December 2001 at 05:01 PM.][This message was edited by Graham on 24 December 2001 at 05:04 PM.]