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  Tutorial

 How to get your recordings into your computer,
when the recorder isn't PC capable  

 6/23/09

"How do I get my recordings into my computer?"

A lot of people are missing out on saving their recordings.

They have the recorders that don't have a USB connection, or are still using good ol' cassette recorders. Either way, this should solve your problem.

You'll need a good Sound Editing program. There are some out there, but my personal favorite is Wave Pad. There are free downloads anywhere on the net. You don't get all the fancy bells & whistles with the free download, but you really don't need them anyway.

Wave Pad is pretty easy to figure out too. Here is a link:

http://download.cnet.com/WavePad-Sound-Editor/3000-2170_4-10276212.html

Ok, now that you have your Sound Editing program...

Here's how to do it...

Step one:

Get a good recording. (smartass)

Step two:

Isolate the spot you want to save on your cassette tape or digi recorder. Go a few seconds before that spot. Write down the numbers from the counter from the spot, from start to finish.

(I'm using a Sony recorder for this demonstration)

Step three:

Ok, you'll need one of these...a 12" male/male patch cord. Radio Shack, where else... 

Plug one end into the Ear Phone jack of your recorder.

Plug the other end into the Microphone jack of your computer.

Now turn the volume down on the recorder to its lowest setting...1, 1.5-ish. You'll have to do a couple practice recordings to find the level that sounds ok to you.

When you click the "record" button on WavPad, it'll give you a couple of pop-ups with settings...just click OK, it'll be fine.

Click the "record" button, then push the "Play" button on your recorder...watch the time.

Ok...your recording is in your computer, and already in the Editing program. Now you can trim off excess dead space, enhance, reduce noise, etc..

Then click "Save As" in the File tab, and rename your file.

Taa-Daaaaaaa!!

Or you can do this using an external microphone as described below.

Orrrr.....You can do it the old fashioned way by opening up the Sound Recorder program in Windows, and holding the recorder to an external microphone.

I don't like this method though. The quality isn't as good, but we'll go over it anyway...

To open the Sound Recorder:

Start > Programs > Accessories > Sound Recorder

Set the volume of your recorder to 3.

Hold the recorder about 2" from the mic...and here's where being ambidextrous helps...click "Start Recording" with your mouse and push the play button on your recorder.

When your recording ends, click "Stop Recording" on the Sound Recorder.

Vista won't let you listen to it right then and there, you have to save it. It usually ends up in "Documents". Just leave it "untitled" so you can find it, and play it back. If you like it, then you can rename the file.

You'll still need an editing program though...to trim out dead air, and enhance if needed.

The problem I have with this method, is that you need silence when you're doing it. There's always the risk of background noise getting in the way, contaminating your recording...pets, kids, spouses, traffic, airplanes, TV, etc..

Like everything else, the first time you try this will take some getting used to. Practice practice practice...get to know your computer, your recording device, the sound recorder, and the editing program.

And now for the shameless plug...

If you're in the market for an EXCELLENT digital recorder, I HIGHLY recommend the Olympus VN-5200PC.

This has to be the best ever recorder in the world.

They're monkey simple to set up and operate...the playback is CD quality...and there is no extra software to load. On Vista, they just plug into your computer via USB, and they show up as a "removable storage device (F:) ". All you have to do is open it, and you can save whatever you want. I have 4 of them, they're all I use.

So you might want to grab one (or several) up, before Olympus realizes they're too good and stops making them. You know how that goes...

Hope this was helpful...have fun!! 

 ~copyright 2009 Dr. Ken~

 None of this material may be used without 
 the written consent of Dr. Ken