CD burning "directly"

[Masdefi]

Hi, this is the story. Probably I do a souble work! Here it goes:
If I have to record a track onto a CD, first of all I will record the track on a normal tape (!) then I will connect the tape deck at the PC and I'll record onto the PC with GoldWave, then I burn with nero. But I think I do a double work.

Questions

1. Why I record -first of all- on the tape.
Because I can better monitor the recording level.

2. Can I connect the mixer out "directly" on the PC? But in this case how can I monitor the recording level?

3. Which is the best free program available in the Internet to record on PC? With good recording monitor capabilities?

4. Does exist a program that is capable to "compress" louder tracks to a previously selected recording level or capable to "elevate" lower tracks at this selected level?

Thanks,
Masdefi

[disco1999]

I don't know, but go to mp3machine.com there is a huge mp3 related collection of shareware, freeware.

[paul]

Hey Masdefi.
Why is it necessary to do compression? My understanding of cd is it's dynamic range is 96 db. Well recorded vinyl should give around 74 db at best. That still leaves over 20 db.

[Masdefi]

On 2002-08-03 21:42, disco1999 wrote:
I don't know, but go to mp3machine.com there is a huge mp3 related collection of shareware, freeware.

Thanks, I'll check this site!
Masdefi

[Masdefi]

On 2002-08-03 23:24, paul wrote:
Hey Masdefi.
Why is it necessary to do compression? My understanding of cd is it's dynamic range is 96 db. Well recorded vinyl should give around 74 db at best. That still leaves over 20 db.

Yes but you can set up the recording level. But for example if you record a record with a higher sound you may create a peak over the maximum level and therefore the audio quality may decrease. I had when I was young a tape deck by Marantz (glorious mark) that had a LIMITER button that automatuically lowered the over sounds... I hope to explain ... But do you record "directly" from the record to the PC or you pass through the tape deck?!? :???:

[paul]

I haven't yet Masdefi but when I do I will do as you do. I will record my records on tape then burn to cd.

[smartpapi]

once you've transfered your songs to your computer, both realplayer and musicmatch can adjust the level on all tracks to be equal.It is not part of the free program .You would have to pay for the upgraded version.Winamp has a plugin for their player which does the same thing but I have tried it and that version does not work well.

[QUINNY]

Masdefi: Get yourself a Minidisc recorder (not a portable one , they break too easily and have limited inputs.) They are fantastic machines these days. Wide flat frequency response, no distortion to speak of, low noise, at least 2 and a half hours on one disc in stereo (MDLP). Ability to move tracks, edit tracks, alter levels after recording, etc. What's more you should be able to hook up to your computer in digital if absolutely necessary. They are the best!!!

Otherwise: Recording to cassette first sorta defeats the object to some degree. By going to cassette you'll be potetially losing a lot of information, compressing the top end response, mistracking, adding wow and flutter and even more distortion.
I understand why you're doing it the way you are but it's slow, over complicated and really unecessary.
Invest in a Minidisc recorder. You'll never look back.

[BrunoRepublic]

On 2002-08-04 15:01, Masdefi wrote:
But do you record "directly" from the record to the PC or you pass through the tape deck?!? :???:

As directly as I can... the turntable needs to go through a phono pre-amp first, to boost the output and apply the RIAA EQ curve. So it goes from my receiver to my sound card.

I use Cool Edit 2000, which allows you to monitor the input level while recording... although the output on my preamp is pretty low, so clipping is seldom an issue anyway.

[BrunoRepublic]

On 2002-08-04 15:01, Masdefi wrote:
But do you record "directly" from the record to the PC or you pass through the tape deck?!? :???:

As directly as I can... the turntable needs to go through a phono pre-amp first, to boost the output and apply the RIAA EQ curve. So it goes from my receiver to my sound card.

I use Cool Edit 2000, which allows you to monitor the input level while recording... although the output on my preamp is pretty low, so clipping is seldom an issue anyway.

[jazz_pilgrim]

On 2002-08-20 12:29, QUINNY wrote:
Masdefi: Get yourself a Minidisc recorder (not a portable one , they break too easily and have limited inputs.) They are fantastic machines these days. Wide flat frequency response, no distortion to speak of, low noise, at least 2 and a half hours on one disc in stereo (MDLP). Ability to move tracks, edit tracks, alter levels after recording, etc. What's more you should be able to hook up to your computer in digital if absolutely necessary. They are the best!!!

Invest in a Minidisc recorder. You'll never look back.

That's what I did!! Even though I "only" have a portable MD recorder, the sound quality through my hi-fi or on my headphones is stunning. And you have all the benefits of being able to edit, move, re-arrange etc.

Agree with you 100% Quinny!!

Are you reading this, Blax?? :grin: :grin:

[Blaxman]

Yep!!

[QUINNY]

Masdefi, Jazz, Blax: perhaps I should add that I have been a live/location recording engineer since 1982.
HOW GOOD IS MINIDISC?
let me put it this way.
In 1982 I bought a TASCAM reel to reel recorder that cost me roughly $1400.(allowing for inflation about what, $12000 in today's terms)
Today I can buy an all singing all dancing Minidisc Recorder that outperforms it in all aspects for$350. Even less if I wanted 'cos the latest Sony is currently $150
That's how good they are.