On a slightly more frivolous topic, I've finally got my collection
of analog sound recordings (LPs and audiocassettes) down to the
relatively few that aren't available in any digital format but are
worth preserving. That means I'll have to digitize those myself. So --
Can anyone recommend (or disparage) any particular hardware and
software for digitizing sound recordings?
Here are some specifics about my equipment and my expectations:
Something close to CD quality or 320 kbps MP3s will be "good enough"
here. I'll be dealing only with existing stereo recordings. I
already have a turntable, receiver (including phono preamp), and
cassette deck, all working, that are IMO good enough. I also have
the 25' of audio cables necessary to connect my "stereo system" to
my computer, unless rearranging my entire room to bring them closer
together would make a significant difference.
At the computer end, I have an low-end Compaq desktop with
integrated audio (inadequate quality for input here), an available
PCIe-x16 slot and some USB 2.0 ports (no Firewire), plus lots
(hundreds of GBs) of free HD space. For the new audio hardware, I'd
like something that not only fits this machine and runs well under
Linux, but will also be usable in future systems (e.g. not a plain
PCI card if possible). Anything that would fit into that PCIe x16
slot (I understand a PCIe x1 card will work in a PCIe x16 slot) or a
USB port -- I just need something that will accept line-level stereo
inputs. I'm hoping to find something decent in the $40-80 range,
new or used.
For software, I thought I could use 'rec' to put the digitized audio
into some standard file format (and automatically split it into
tracks if desired), and 'audacity' for the digital signal processing
(noise reduction, declicking, etc.). Or are there other programs
that would be better for me, either in audio quality or ease of use?
Any recommendations for hardware or software, especially hardware,
would be very much appreciated! Suggestions on where else to look
for advice would be welcomed too. I just joined the
Linux-audio-users mailing list, but they seem to be at a level
beyond my comprehension (and needs). Thanks!
Adam
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