Computer software

Subject: Computer software
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 11:05 AM

This should a a real short thread on a topic repeatedly discussed. For the last six months I've been trying to find computer software to convert lps and tapes into CDs. I tried Cakewalk a couple of months ago and after six weeks of trying to get the stupid thing to work, endlessly exchanging unhelpful e-mails with the Support site, I finally gave up on it. Since then, I've bought Easy Media Creator 8 by Roxio. I had an early version of Easy CD Creator which was easy to use, as promised. But, it had very little control over cleaning up editing, equalizing and cleaning up tapes. This new version is a vast upgrade. You can modify the sound of the tapes with a full ten-bar equalizer, and there are several other controls for modifying the sound. Best of all, even a computer klutz like myself finds it easy to use. The program for creating inserts is equally improved, allowing for the creation of a much more professional looking insert.

They've recently reduced the price dramatically, and with a rebate, it costs the same as the Cakewalk Pyro system.

Cakewalk Pyro. If I take that literally, it means the software is easy to burn.

If you have an interest in learning more about this software, you can PM me and I'll be happy to share what I've learned.

After six months of unrelenting failure and embarassment it feels mighty good to have the sweet taste of success.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 10:33 AM

It's those little cleanup programs that are tucked in the bundle that are so handy. You can find all sorts of free programs if you simply want to burn a CD. I bought Nero, and there are all sorts of goodies that come in that package.

DAK makes a device for transferring from LP to CD that sounds pretty easy. You'll see it turn up in the Google ads at the bottom of the page every so often.

We've been discussing a related process on this thread, to do with streaming audio to CD. It would be nice if there were one program that could do all if it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 10:40 AM

Who BUYS software?

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: mack/misophist
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 10:51 AM

Clinton: People who use windows buy software. They don't know any better.

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 10:52 AM

I use windows.... And I haven't bought software in yonks and yonks!

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:00 PM

We know how clever and amoral you pride yourself on being, Clinton...but if everyone felt the same way, there'd be a whole lot less neat software for you to .. ummmm...'acquire' in your enlightened manner.
Someone has to actually buy this stuff for the creators to keep at it. (And it can help to have a legally acquired registration # for help in case of problems..)

I haven't bought 'much' software, either, but I usually make do with stuff the authors designate as free.

I'm not surprised to see you feel the way you do...I just don't quite see why you advertise it so publically.

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:06 PM

I've been using GoldWave for several years. It is an extremely full-featured program (seems do do everything that Adobe Audition does) for much less money.

If you're looking for free software, check out Audacity.

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:08 PM

Has anyone used both the "Roxio Easy Media Creator" (I have v. 7.5) and "Magix Audio Cleaning Lab" and can compare the two? My use will be copying LPs and cassettes to CD.

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:09 PM

Audacity is a wonderful program...it does so many tricks with a pretty clear interface.

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:20 PM

"if everyone felt the same way, there'd be a whole lot less neat software"

You obviously don't know squat about the open source world, bub...

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 01:46 PM

I know LOT about open source....I have a dozen or more things from sourceforge. All I was referring to was your regular references to picking up software no matter whether it was open source and/or freeware or not. I know where Astalavista is.

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 01:49 PM

Clinton...you have made some valuable contributions here...I got JetAudio thru your recommendation. You just have a different standard on somethings.

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 04:11 AM

I've used Magix Audio Cleaning Lab to transfer some old tapes to CD. It seemed to work quite well, but I had an uncomfortable feeling of not really knowing what I was doing. As with most software there was the feeling of oodles of hidden functionality that you need either a degree in IT (and sound editing) to get at, or the patience and attention-span of a saint (I have no patience with anything these days - and the attention-span of a gnat!).
I also experienced several annoying and initially baffling glitches. For example, one of the old tapes consisted of an interview with a trad. singer. At one point the great man paused to consider his reply to a question and the program 'decided' that the interview was at an end and stopped transferring data to my hard disk. Needless to say I was in the kitchen making a cup of tea at this point and didn't notice what had happened. Consequently I had to start all over again and sit over the computer to restart the program when the tape got to the pause. I'm sure there are all sorts of ingenious ways of getting round such problems - but (he said peevishly) I just want it to work first time ... !!!

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 05:23 AM

For any Mac users out there, I would reccomend using Roxio Toast. Simple to use and has never let me down once.
Cheers
LL

Subject: RE: Computer software
From:
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 07:16 PM

Guest DB, that sort of thing can happen with any of these automated things. You might shoot for something a little less automated, ie Recording forever until you hit the Stop button, or try to set the delay for it to wait out pauses like that to several minutes instead of 30 seconds (most likely it's set there, but just a guess anyway.)

Subject: RE: Computer software
From: Amos
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 07:46 PM

For recording from LPs or old tapes on a recent Mac, I use Sound Studio, with the audio output plugged into an iMic which transfers it to the USB bus. The captured AIFF file is then cleaned of hisses with SoundSoap, tweaked with some filters if needed, such as the graphic equalizer or a bit of normalization or compression, etc, and bob's your fanny, or whatever...

It can also easily be turned into an MP3 with iTUnes or SoundStudio.

I also enjoy Audacity, which is cross platform.


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