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How to Convert Old Record Albums to CD

Digitizing old record albums converts their analog sound into a digital format so that they can be played on CD players. It's not an elaborate process, but you will need a program such as Free Sound Recorder that coverts vinyl music to CD through your computer. Audio files are large, with a 74-minute CD requiring about 740 MB of disc space. If your computer's available hard drive space is limited, erase any unnecessary files from the computer first.

Things You'll Need

  • Turntable
  • Vinyl records
  • Stereo amplifier
  • 4 phono cables with RCA connectors
  • Stereo Y-connector cable
  • Blank CDs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect your turntable to an amplifier's phono jacks with RCA phono cables. Plug two cables into the amplifier's line-out jacks, and connect the other ends to a stereo Y-connector cable. Plug the single phono plug of this Y-connector cable in to the line-in jack of the computer's sound card.

    • 2

      Open the conversion software and turn on your computer's speakers. Play back a section of the album you want to record and adjust the volume in the "Settings" menu of the software. Adjust the volume level so the meters peak close to the red zone without flashing red during the loudest part of the song.

    • 3

      Click the red "Record" button in the software window. Start the turntable, and play the first track. If volume spikes flash the level meter red, stop the recording, adjust the volume level and start the recording again.

    • 4

      Click "Stop" when the song is done. The recording will be automatically stored on your computer's hard drive in a temporary folder. Repeat this process until you've recorded all songs on the album.

    • 5

      Insert a blank CD in the CD/RW drive and open the CD burning software installed on your computer.

    • 6

      Create a playlist in the "File" menu and give it a name (like the name of the album you just recorded). Import the recorded songs into this playlist.

    • 7

      Select the CD burning option in the "Edit" menu. Open the Preferences tab and select .Wav file as the burning format. Unlike MP3s, .Wav format CDs will play in any audio CD player.

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