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How to Transfer My 78 Rpm Records Into CDs

Record collectors and enthusiasts fortunate enough to possess 10-inch 78 revolution per minute (RPM) vinyl own pieces of history. Music on your 78 RPM vinyl may be irreplaceable, or at least difficult to find. Sharing this music with others requires transferring it to an alternate format, as 78 RPM record players are not common. Transferring 78 RPM music to CD form accomplishes this and also provides you with a convenient alternative means of preserving the music content in the event your vinyl is damaged.

Things You'll Need

  • 78 RPM turntable
  • RCA-enabled receiver
  • Ground wire (optional)
  • RCA cable
  • RCA-to-TRS cable or additional RCA cable and RCA-to-TRS adapter
  • Personal computer
  • CD writer drive
  • Audio recording software
  • CD writer software
  • Blank writable CD
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect the 78 RPM turntable to your RCA-enabled receiver if it is not already set up. Run a single ground wire around the turntable and receiver's ground connectors to reduce noise and feedback. Screw the ground connectors down so that they secure the ground. Insert one set of the RCA cable plugs into the 78 RPM turntable's color-coded RCA output ports. Insert the other set of plugs into the receiver's color-coded RCA "Phono" or available "Line In" ports.

    • 2

      Connect the receiver to your personal computer. Insert the RCA-to-TRS cable's RCA plugs into the receiver's "Phono Out," "Tape Out" or available "Line Out" ports. Insert the TRS end of the cable into your computer's "Line In" port. You may affix an RCA-to-TRS adapter to one end of an RCA cable if you do not have an RCA-to-TRS cable.

    • 3

      Set the turntable's needle to the point on the 78 RPM record from which you want to record.

    • 4

      Run your audio recorder software. Use Audacity if you do not have an audio recorder utility (see Resources). Push the audio recorder software's "Record" button. Push the "Play" or "Start" button on the 78 RPM turntable right away to minimize delay.

    • 5

      Push the "Stop" button on your audio recorder software when the desired music stops playing. Push the "Stop" button on the turntable at this point as well.

    • 6

      Save the digital recording as a new audio file. Click "Save As" from your audio recording software's "File" tab. Give the file a name and file format that is compatible with your CD writer program, such as MP3 or WAV. Click the "Save" button to render the recording. Repeat Steps 3 through 6 for the other side of your LP record if necessary.

    • 7

      Open the rendered recordings in your CD writer program. Create a new playlist or burn list that includes the rendered recordings.

    • 8

      Insert a blank writable CD into your computer's CD writer drive. Click "Burn CD" to complete the 78 RPM record's transfer to CD.

Digital Music

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