This the presentation that I loosely followed while providing level 1 of a two level workshop on archiving analog audio collections. Part two focused on post-production and podcasting. Online, here http://juneaubookblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/get-digital-uncrate-your-vinyl/

1. Get Digital:
Uncrate your Vinyl
Archiving and Digitizing Analog Audio
Collections
Juneau Public Library
Technology Training
Workshops
Jonas Lamb

2. Why Archive?
 Archiving personal media collections whether
audio or visual is a good way to ensure you
will be able to access these collections in the
future. However it is not a guarantee, so
much depends on the stability of formats, but
we’ll get into that later.
 Look what happened with the 8 Track. Can
you find a player anymore for these
collections?

3. Why Archive? (cont)
 Creating digital copies of a record or cassette
allows you to store multiple copies in multiple
locations ensuring safety from catastrophic
loss (fire, flood, mold). LOCKSS
 Libraries and archives use file migration,
transferring content from one media (LPs) to
a new media (CDs) in order to prevent loss of
content due to format obsolescence.

4. Overview
 There is a variety of free and pay software
available (Wavosaur, Ubuntu Studio,
Cooledit, Garage Band), however today we
will use Audacity by Sourceforge (
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) to import
and record analog audio from a
record/cassette player.

5. This is what it looks like…

6. Getting Started with Audacity
 At the Sourceforge website,
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ you will find a
link to download Audacity 1.2.6 Windows
version on the main page.
 If you are using a different operating system,
follow the link to other downloads, here you will
find links for Mac and Linux/Unix versions.
(Screenshots on next two slides)

9. LAME MP3 Encoder
 One “scary technology” note: Audacity won’t quite
work “out of the box” - it needs the LAME MP3
encoder installed as well, which is linked from:
 http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=
install&item=lame-mp3
 Save the file to the Audacity program folder so you
can find it when asked the first and only time you
save a file. You won’t be asked again.
 That ends the “scary technology” note…

10. Making it happen!
Archiving in Action
 Before we go any further, here’s a list of everything you’ll need to
transfer audio from an LP to your computer to a CD.
 3.5 mm (1/8’’) male to male cable
 Turntable connected to a stereo receiver with a magnetic phono
input
 Or if a newer stereo/receiver is used that only has an Auxilary
input, you will need to purchase a phono-preamp (20$) to boost
the phono signal.
 PC or laptop equipped with soundcard and with Audacity or other
sound editing software.

11. Making it happen!
Archiving in Action
 There are USB turntables which eliminate the
need for a stereo connection between the
turntable and computer ($80-300)
 Some of these USB turntable even come with
software that will automatically create
filenames and tracks and sync your vinyl to
your iPod.

12. Here we go!
 Connect one end of the 3.5mm cable to the
headphone jack of your stereo receiver and the
other to the line in slot on your computer. If your
receiver only has a 6.3mm (1/4”) headphone jack
you will need an additional adapter.

13. S
Setting Up (cont.)
2. Make sure the input device (stereo, USB turntable) is connected
before you open Audacity, otherwise Audacity may not recognize it.
3. Make sure the microphone or other input device you want is selected
in Audacity.
4. Go to the Preferences menu (Mac: Audacity->Preferences; Windows:
Edit->Preferences) and select the Audio I/O tab (the first one)
5. Select the devices you want for Playback and Recording. For
example, if you're using a headset with a microphone to record, be
sure its name is there (e.g. Logitech USB Headset). Click OK.
6. When everything is connected, click the red record button, then begin
playing your record.

14. Now we’re Recording
 You will want to play
around with the levels of
your stereo and the input
levels (the meter with a
microphone icon below it
with red level indicators).
If the levels are peaking
or clipping the right side
of the meter, you need to
turn down your input
source.

15. Some tutorials on the web
 Digitizing Vinyl Records with Audacity.
http://lwn.net/Articles/304967/
 Refining the Process...
http://lwn.net/Articles/312663/
 Ripping Vinyl Records to FLAC (Digital Audio)
http://tinyurl.com/au4u6z
 A Guide to Using Audacity (U-Illinois iSchool)
http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/itd/tutorials/Audacity/
 Creating a Simple Voice and Music Podcast
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php?
title=Creating_a_simple_voice_and_music_Podcast_
with_Audacity

16. A Few Thoughts on Format
 At some point, either before you get started
with your recording, or while you’re waiting
for the first side of your LP to record you
should take a minute to think about the
format for your final digital copy.
 Audacity allows you to export the final
recording in a variety of Lossless and lossy
formates, from WAV and FLAC to MP3 and
OGG. OGG and MP3 (lossy) each have
several different quality (bitrate) options.

17. A Few Thoughts on Format
 Your format decision should take into consideration
a few basic questions:
 Are you keeping/preserving your original sources
(CDs, LPs, Cassettes)?
 Are you considering a proprietary format, will the
software to play this format be available in the
future? Will Windows start charging more than they
already do for software?
 Do you have limited storage space?
 Will you keep multiple copies/versions of the digital
file?

18. MP3 vs WAV
 MP3 is a compressed file format which has
generally been accepted as a web friendly standard.
This format tends to be 1/10th the size of an
uncompressed file due to removing portions of the
audio spectrum that are supposed to be inaudible to
humans. The smaller size allows for faster
transmission over the web.
 Audiophiles insist that MP3 just doesn’t have the
quality of WAV or other lossless compressions.
OGG is another compressed file type but uses a
different compression process and is considered to
sound better by many enthusiasts.

19. MP3 vs WAV cont.
 WAV is a Microsoft standard for uncompressed or
raw audio (16bit 44100hz). This is the same format
used on CDs. If you want the best quality and aren’t
concerned with storage size, export your LP files in
an uncompressed format such as WAV or FLAC
(Open-source).
 If you are concerned with size, use one of the
midrange compressions of MP3 (128 or 144 kbps.
196 is considered to be high quality) or OGG (quality
scale 4-6).
 If you plan to burn your recording to CD but not
backup on your computer, use WAV or FLAC.

20. Editing your digital audio
 When importing an analog recording using Audacity,
you need to allow the recording to play at real time,
i.e one side of the record will take ~15-26 minutes
per side.
 You will have one large digital file and until you save
this temporary file, a large portion of your
computer’s RAM (temporary memory) will be
committed to holding the file.
 I sometimes use a USB Thumb drive’s ability to
increase a computer’s RAM during this process so
the computer doesn’t freeze up.

21. Editing your digital audio
 The Help menu in Audacity is a good place
to begin as it will explain what the features
of the various “effects” and abilities of the
software.
 Today we will do a few basic editing tasks:
1. Filter out vinyl pops
2. Fade in and Fade out beginning and end
3. Remove any visible distortions
4. Insert track titles and divide the side into songs.

22. Editing (cont.)
 Filtering out audible vinyl pops.
 Click edit>select> all
 Click effect>click removal
 Listen to before and after version, you can always
undo (edit>undo) if you don't like the new version.
 If some pops weren't removed, you can usually
identify these as large spike in the waveform. You
can select specifically this section and run the click
removal again, set the sensitivity bar higher this
time.

23. Editing (cont.)
 Filtering/Removing visible distortion.
 Look at your waveform, or better yet, listen through
the selection and identify clips (spikes in your
waveform that reach the top of the meter).
 Select/highlight the area using the select tool.
 Next you can either choose generate>silence and
you should see a box which creates silence the
length of the highlighted section. You can always
undo (edit>undo) if you don't like the new version.
 If the distorted section is in the middle of music it's
better to highlight the area, click effect>amplify and
then try reducing the volume by -3 db. You can
preview the change and can always undo. More
reduction may be necessary.

24. Editing (cont.)
 Fade in, fade out beginning and end of side
 Use the select tool, to highlight a small section of
the audio before the first song begins, listen for the
beautiful sound of needle on vinyl.
 Click effect>fade in.
 Listen to before and after version, you can always
undo (edit>undo) if you don't like the new version.
 Go to the end of the side, select a short section
and click effect>fade out.
 If you like you can fade in and out each track.

25. Editing (cont.)
 Insert track titles/names and export your
tracks.
 Use the select tool, to highlight the first song.
There will be a visible quiet spot between the
songs. Click project>insert label at selection
(Ctr+B). Type either track 1 or the song name.
 Repeat for all tracks on a side.
 Next you are ready to export your files. Determine
if you want compressed or uncompressed
(WAV/FLAC vs MP3 OGG). Click file>export
multiple.
 This will open a new box which I will walk you
through selections like file type, file name, etc.

26. Wrapping Up.
 As you begin working at home, feel free to
email me with any questions and I'll see what I
can do to help. jonas@juneau.org
 Utilize the web resources listed on slide #15
for any details I didn't cover.
 Have fun. If your eyes begin to cross and
you're not enjoying the satisfaction of
increased access to your collections and a
sense of relief that these are now archived,
take a break.