Allan wrote:
The onboard sound in my computer has a lot of noise and I'm wanting
to convert a lot of LPs and tapes to CD. I assume the noise is from
the power supply, and that I need an external soundcard/interface.
My solution to this was to purchase a Sony CD recorder and use the
analogue inputs on this to copy LPs or cassettes to CD-RW. This unit
also has SBM (Super Bit-Mapping) for analogue conversion, which does
improve detail levels on the sound. (Have done A-B comparisons of this,
and it certainly sounds better with it turned on.)
I then rip the recorded material to the PC and clean it up using eg Nero
Wave Editor, which has noise reduction and de-clicking facilities.
Sometimes a little re-EQ is needed, HF boost to counter tape wear etc,
then burn back to CD.
Note that if you're going to re-EQ it's important to do this before
applying adaptive noise reduction, otherwise you end up boosting any
artefacts generated by the noise reduction process (which would
otherwise be inaudible).
Works for me anyway, and also lets me in effect use analogue dithering
to copy HDCD-encoded CDs so they'll play with decoding on non-HDCD kit
(eg MP3 players). Likewise copying DVD-Audio discs to CD audio so I can
stick them on my iPod to play in the car.
--
Glenn Richards Tel: (01453) 845735
Squirrel Solutions
http://www.squirrelsolutions.co.uk/
IT consultancy, hardware and software support, broadband installation