Monday, August 20, 2007

Convert Your Vinyl Records To CD

I have been asked about converting vinyl records to CD and what is the best way to go about doing this. There are two ways that I do it. I recently bought a great program called "Spin It Again." This computer application works wonderful and it is very easy to set up, is user friendly and menu-driven. Here is a snapshot of the program in action:

Buy Spin It Again

The program allows you to "edit" and remove unwanted hiss and crackle

Buy Spin It Again

Here is the sales copy that the company uses:

Transfer your old 45's and 33's to CD or to your new MP3 player or iPod(tm)! This dedicated record and tape conversion software makes it child's play to record and edit your old albums. The wizard driven process guides you through connecting your hardware, getting the correct recording level, and splitting your recording into multiple tracks. The software automatically removes clicks and pops and that unwanted tape hum and hiss. Convert your recordings to MP3s or burn them on to an audio CD! Spin It Again is a dedicated LP and tape recording conversion software application designed to make the process as simple as possible.


Buy Spin It Again


Now, some may wonder, if you are a vinyl record collector and love vinyl so much, then why would you "convert" your vinyl to the dreaded CD? Fair question. I convert my vinyl for several reasons. CD's are certainly more portable than records (you can't play a record in your car!) and this allows you to take your vinyl records anywhere, without really taking them out of your house.

Another reason I convert my vinyl to CD is to safeguard my records. Let me explain. If, for instance, I am invited to a party and they want to hear some of my "rare" vinyl, I can just make a recording of the particular record and take that instead of the record. This saves it from being lost or stolen, or anyone asking to "borrow" a valuable record. I can rest easy because I know where the record is at (in it's respective sleeve locked up at home!)

Then there is the damage factor. There is an issue of over use, but from what I have read, it is almost impossible to "wear out a vinyl record". Now, I suppose if you just played it over and over again for a year, you could do some damage, but you don't wear out a record just by using it. (obviously make sure to take very good care of your stylus) But, having a record on CD will save the record from the possibility of being damaged and getting dirty. (via fingerprints, dust or the occasional beer spill)

And by converting your vinyl to CD, you help to preserve the record, remember, vinyl records are historical audio documents. (An interesting fact is that only 5% of music on vinyl has been transferred to CD...that is an awful lot of music out there in the world that is only available via the vinyl record!)

So pick up your copy of this marvelous software and start converting right away!

Buy Spin It Again

Tomorrow I will discuss another way that I convert my records to CD!