Recording LPs for burning onto CDs

This process is relatively easy to do. I do it all the time. But, if you've never done it, you must make sure each step is correct, or it won't work. Assuming you have a Soundblaster or similar type soundcard on your computer, here's what you'll need:

Hardware (available from Radio Shack, often from Home Depot, or sometimes even from a Dollar store).

Cables - 3 to 6 feet in length with RCA phono plugs on at each end (epending on how far your stereo is distanced from your computer. Some moving things around or improvisation may be necessary, if it is far enough away like mine is.)

Adapter - 2 RCA phono jacks on one end and 1 1/8 inch stereo phone plug at the other end

Sound recorder - Creative Recorder (comes with Soundblaster) or some other compatible type which comes with your sound card. Creative's Recorder will take an entire symphony without stopping.

Windows 95 or 98 Sound Recorder is not suitable, because it only takes only a fragment of a tune at one time - 5 to 10 seconds.  There is a way to paste segments together, if you absolutely have to, but it takes more time and trouble than it is worth.

Where to plug in:

1. Plug the 1/8 inch stereo phone plug into the Line-In jack of your Sound Card. They are usually color-coded, perhaps this coding is standardized. Soundblaster's Line-In jack is Blue.

2. Plug one end of the cables RCA phono plugs into the Line-Out jacks either your Tape Deck (if your LPs are taped) or the Line-Out/Tape-Out jacks of your Receiver/Amplifier if you are going directly from LPs on a turntable.

3. Plug the other ends of the cables with RCA phono plugs into the adapter with the RCA phono jacks which is plugged into your Sound Card.

Note: The right and left channels may be color-coded on the adapter. Red usually indicates Right. Your Receiver/Amplifier or Tape Deck jacks are usually laid out with Left on top and Right on the Bottom. If this turns out to be the wrong way, it is a simple matter to reverse the cables.

Using the Sound Recorder:

1. Make sure your computer's speakers are turned on.

2. Make sure you have selected Line-In on your Sound Recorder. Creative's Sound Recorder (Soundblaster's) makes it easy to see the selection in the upper left hand corner of the Sound Recorder.) If the selection reads anything other than Line-In, then it won't receive your signal.

3. Check the Volume Control icon on the lower right hand corner of your computer. It should look like a little gold speaker woofer. Right click on it and select Open Volume Controls. (If there is no icon there, then go to the Start menu - select Programs - Accessories - Entertainment - then finally - Volume Control.

a. Click on Options - Properties

b. Select Recording - Scroll down the menu it gives, and make sure Line-In is checked

c. Click OK

d. Check - the Select box on Line-In

e. Run the Volume all the way up. You can readjust this later if the levels are too high. Usually, they are not high enough.

4. Click on Record on the Sound Recorder

5. Start the LP or Tape you intend to record.

6.  Make a trial run first.  Run a short segment of what you wish to record, then click on stop, then Play on the Sound Recorder to make sure you have in fact got a signal. Just because you hear it coming in on the computer's speakers doesn't mean you got a signal on the Sound Recorder.  You may have to do this over and over again until you get the right volume levels.

If you did NOT get anything on the Sound Recorder, then recheck each step listed above.

Assuming it now works:

7. Go ahead and record an entire tune.

8. Give the newly created WAV file a name. If you simply go with the name "Untitled" which many of the sound recorders use, it will get over-written the next time you turn on the computer and record again.

9. Finally, follow the instructions of your CD burner's software to compile and convert the WAV files onto a CD image for burning.  

10. Be careful not to overload the signal going onto the CD!  You can edit the levels with a WAV editor which is provided by Creative (for Soundblaster users) or by many CD burning softwares.