converting home recordings to MP3

[Rob (Uker) Porras]

I do alot of recording on a 8 track Tascam. How do I convert the files into a usable format for this page? 

[Huntz Meyer]

I recently saved all my brother-in-law’s old band(s) recordings from formats ranging from 30-year-old cassettes that spent way too many summers baking in a 68 Charger to 2” studio tapes. Much of the source material was from 1/2" 8-track.  We even added additional guitar tracks to fill in rhythm tracks in a few of the originals. {Unfortunately, he passed away from brain cancer at 54, before I completed the set (11 CDs mixed down)- R.I.P}.

I relied primarily on N-Track Studio http://ntrack.com/). It has a learning curve, but it is inexpensive, powerful (it can do way more than I needed to do), and effective. You can bring in all of your tracks individually and mix/master them in N-track without having to bounce down tape tracks. Once you are happy with sound, mix it down to a stereo .wav file and save them all (backups too on CD/DVD/Flash. Once they’re gone, they’re gone). Then convert .wav files to .mp3 – I use Free AC because it is free and easy (http://www.freac.org/) and post the .mp3.

With good original material you won’t need it, but I also used Sound Forge Noise Reduction plug-ins.

Huntz

[Skeesix]

Do you have an audio interface/converter box, or do you plug straight into the computer's mic jack with an 1/8" cable?

[John Drake]

Look up "Audacity" in Google. Go to their site for information on recording to computer from various devices. Audacity lets you convert to MP3 and edit the recordings. Its a very powerful audio editor but best of all it is absolutely FREE. No tricks, catches,scams just a very good free program. It's been around for many years. Regards John D

PS here is a link  http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

 

 

[Huntz Meyer]

I used an M- Audio 1010LT.  http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010LT.html 

It may have been overkill but it was convenient when working with the 1/2" 8-track and when adding live guitar tracks.  We added both line in and mic'd the amp so he could get just the sound he wanted. 

I alsa brought in cassette stuff via the 1/8" jack and standard sound card.  I couldn't hear any difference in quality between the fancy card and the stock one.

Skeesix said:

Do you have an audio interface/converter box, or do you plug straight into the computer's mic jack with an 1/8" cable?