All of us love music! Whether it be Alan Jackson, Miley Cirus, or OZZY! This Weekend's web pick of the weekend is the Open Source Program Audacity!
What do you use audacity for? There are many reasons you could use this on your computer. It allows you to record audio, edit it, and splice two clips together.
For a lot of you out there, this isn't something you are interested in. But most of us have a music collection that extends back quite a ways. Maybe you want to convert your tapes and albums into digital files or cds. Audacity allows you do that.
From the Audacity Wiki Page:
You can use Audacity and your computer to record sound from any external device which outputs an audio signal. Although cassette tapes and records (LPs) are the most popular examples, Audacity can be used just as easily to record audio from the following:
- open-reel tape decks
- Minidisc (MD) players
- Radios
- Mixers
- Video cassette recorders (VCRs) and DVD players (recording from a dedicated line-out containing audio output only)
- Televisions (via a SCART adaptor cable connected to the computer sound card, or through a VCR's audio out)
- Personal digital voice recorders (DVRs)
- Portable MP3 players (such as iPods)
- even another computer
You need to run an appropriate cable from an "out" jack on the external device (e.g. a tape deck, or an amplifier or receiver connected to a turntable) to the line-in port of the computer. You should not connect a standard turntable directly to a computer - see the next section below. The line-in is normally coloured blue, but check your computer manual. You should not generally connect to the microphone port of the computer, as this port, besides typically being monophonic, will excessively amplify the stronger signals produced by a tape deck or receiver/amplifier. The only exception to this might be the outputs of some personal recorders supplied with a minijack intended for connection to the microphone input of a recorder.For the average user with consumer level equipment, the headphone jack is probably the best "out" jack to choose, since it will allow you to adjust the output level of the source device. If you choose this approach, the most typical setup is to use a cable with a 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereophonic TRS plug at one end (for connecting to the device's headphone jack), and an identical 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) TRS stereophonic plug on the other end (for connecting to the line-in socket on your computer). If the device you are recording from has a 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) headphone jack, you will need to get a 1/4 to 1/8 inch adaptor. Such an adapter is often included free with most new headphones, or can be purchased separately at any electronics store.
Some professionals with high-grade equipment would prefer to use the source device's "aux out", "tape out", "line-out" or "record" output (if so equipped), since that approach bypasses an unnecessary stage of (possibly low-quality) amplification, and standardises the signal at a fixed (non-adjustable) level of approximately 1 - 1.5 volts, resulting in a higher quality recording. If you choose this approach, you will need a cable that has dual RCA red/white plugs at one end (for connecting to the "aux out", "tape out" or "record" jack of the device) and a stereophonic 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) plug at the other end (for connecting to your computer's line-in port).