At 9:31 PM +0000 04/6/03, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>For example, I�ve got an old Hungaraton record 
>of Daniel Benko (trying to look like Frank Zappa 
>on the cover) playing Bakfark. I haven�t 
>listened to this in years but I remember it as 
>being pretty awful.

Sometimes even a terrible recording/performance 
may contain one idea or interpretation that is 
good or that you haven't thought of. Bream comes 
to mind, (though he is never terrible).

At 7:43 PM -0400 04/6/03, MWWilson wrote:
>I believe there are software applications that will convert analog
>recordings to digital formats, although I haven't used them.

You need hardware as well as software.

At 2:34 AM -0400 04/6/04, Jon Murphy wrote:
>  My solution, given that my record player is remote from my computer,
>is to use the audio tape output from the player, then a cassette player with
>that tape as input to the computer. The sound quality will suffer, but not
>much compared with the sound quality left on that old and often played LP.

If your phonograph has a tape out, that is good 
to use. Trying to route the phono directly into 
inputs designed for line level may lead to 
impedance mismatch with accompanying degradation 
of audio.

At 2:34 AM -0400 04/6/04, Jon Murphy wrote:
>At first I used a long jumper cord directly to the computer

Be careful with distances over 20'. The high end starts to go.

At 2:34 AM -0400 04/6/04, Jon Murphy wrote:
>So to make the
>track breaks one needs to record one track at a time into the computer.

You can break it up into separate sound files 
after recording. (easily, with my computer: Mac 
using Digital Performer)

At 2:34 AM -0400 04/6/04, Jon Murphy wrote:
>The frequency limitations of the old digital, using sampling, cut
>back the sound. But current digital techniques will carry all the overtones,
>and tonality, of the original LP - as that was itself limited.

Not sure I understand this, Jon. Technology does 
march on. Almost everything is recorded in 24 
bits these days and dithered down to 16 bits 
after processing and at the last possible moment 
before producing a CD.

My friend was making CDs from old records as a 
business and had a special preamplifier for it. 
On that preamplifier was a knob with EQ settings 
for 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, etc. I forget which 
software he was using, but it wasn't one of the 
very high end ones. Sonic Solutions was the state 
of the art. Waves plug-ins seem to be highly 
regarded. I spoke briefly with the president of 
Sonic Solutions once and my impression was that 
this is an art like mastering or mixing. You need 
highly trained ears and software skills to do the 
job at a professional level. I'm sure software 
has come a long was since then though, as that 
was years ago, and I would be eager to try some 
noise removal myself, more on live concert 
recordings I've made than records, in my case.

One of the most important aspects of this process 
is cleaning the record. I'd be interested to know 
what solutions people have come up with for that. 
I'm afraid there's no cure for the playing. :-) 
Just kidding, there is some classic stuff. The 
Dowland project holds up as does anything Paul 
Odette has done. It is a great pity we don't have 
anything from Michael Schaffer's last years.

What I want to know is where can I sell all these 
recordings from the 60s and 70s I have that are 
taking up space in my small house? Led Zeppelin 
anyone?
cheers,
-- 
Ed Durbrow
Saitama, Japan
http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/


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