Make MP3s from my LPs

After this exchange I decided to go through my LPs again and pull out some and reinstate this goal. I started with The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway because it’s been on my mind and because I found it before I found the Medicine Show, which I’m recording right now. So far, I’m still a fan of Days of Wine and Roses, but I’ll give it 3 or 4 listens.

What next? I have so many LPs from the old days. I have always been a voracious music collector, since the day I got my first hand-me-down stereo from my dad.

I found an OS/X program that ROCKS for this. It’s The Analog Recorder—Tar – it’s $30 but it is really well integrated with ITunes and the track cutter is PERFECT.

It has an auto-shutoff. It’ll let you record 33’s at 45 and adjust the sound back if you’re in a hurry.

Oh, the fun, the fun!!

Going through my vinyl, listening to the past. I’ve ripped a bunch of Cocteau Twins EPs and albums, Bad Brains I Against I, some King Crimson, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Brian Eno, Mike Oldfield, The Stranglers, Husker Du, old David Bowie.

It’s a kick. They sound great as MP3s.

I have been recording side 1 and side 2 with the intention to cut them up later. However, I’m thinking there must be Mac OS/X software out there that can detect the song breaks. It would save me some time, definitely.

For example, I have a Phil Alvin LP that was never released on CD. I borrowed a friend’s turntable and bought a pre-amp that came with an RCA to stereo plug doohickey (technical term) that plugs into the input of a sound card. This was very successful.

So, this weekend, I saw a $99 turntable at Fry’s and bought it. I figure at $9.99 per album on iTunes, it won’t take long for me to break even.