How to Convert Analog Audio to Digital With an Apple Computer
You will need a media reader that can read your chosen analog media., Be sure your media reader has an "audio out" port., Now that you have a way of turning your kinetic audio into static, you'll need a way to get your audio data into your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: You will need a media reader that can read your chosen analog media.
If you've got a record, get a record player, If you've got a tape, get a tape player, etc.
Odds are if you have the media you've already got the media reader, but if not you'll need to get your hands on one. -
Step 2: Be sure your media reader has an "audio out" port.
That's a fancy way of saying a headphone jack, though there are more kinds of audio outs than just your run-of-the-mill headphone jack. , Not surprisingly, this is done with an "audio in" port, which is a fancy way of saying microphone jack.
Some computers have audio in ports built into their sound cards, but most modern Apple computer designs have opted for a built-in microphone instead.
Fortunately there are peripherals that can help.
A good, but not the only, device to use would be the iMic USB audio adapter (see tips). , This uses the simplest hardware of the whole thing, a wire.
A male-to-male stereo audio cable is really all you need for this step (see tips).
There are lots of types of audio cables in the world, so be sure your cable is the same format as your ports. , (Note:
Connecting some record players directly to the audio input will yield unsatisfactory results.
See warning below.) , You are going to want some sort of program that can record from your "line in." (the line in is what your computer calls the microphone data).
A good free program that should work well is Audacity.
Another good user-friendly and capable program is Audio Hijack, but this will cost you money. , This differs from program to program, but it shouldn't be too hard if you read your user manuals.
If all else fails, check your system preferences to see if your computer is still trying to record from the built-in microphone. , That means record in stereo with a high bit rate.
If you can choose an encoder, go for .mp3 or .aac, and if you'd like you can use .lossless for extra high quality (see tips). , If everything is connected properly and all your software is functioning well, then it should all be recording onto your computer. ,, iTunes is good at doing that sort of thing. -
Step 3: Now that you have a way of turning your kinetic audio into static
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Step 4: you'll need a way to get your audio data into your computer.
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Step 5: You have an out and you have an in; now to bring them together.
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Step 6: Put your desired media into your media reader
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Step 7: connect the audio out of the reader to the audio in of your computer via your cable.
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Step 8: Here's where software comes in.
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Step 9: Make sure whatever program you use has the port where you have all the hardware connected selected as your recording source.
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Step 10: Take your program of choice and be sure it's set up to record with a high sound quality.
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Step 11: Hit the record button on the computer
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Step 12: and then hit play on your media reader.
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Step 13: Wait for whatever you are recording to finish playing
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Step 14: then hit stop and save on your program.
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Step 15: Convert the audio file into the format and quality you want it in.
Detailed Guide
If you've got a record, get a record player, If you've got a tape, get a tape player, etc.
Odds are if you have the media you've already got the media reader, but if not you'll need to get your hands on one.
That's a fancy way of saying a headphone jack, though there are more kinds of audio outs than just your run-of-the-mill headphone jack. , Not surprisingly, this is done with an "audio in" port, which is a fancy way of saying microphone jack.
Some computers have audio in ports built into their sound cards, but most modern Apple computer designs have opted for a built-in microphone instead.
Fortunately there are peripherals that can help.
A good, but not the only, device to use would be the iMic USB audio adapter (see tips). , This uses the simplest hardware of the whole thing, a wire.
A male-to-male stereo audio cable is really all you need for this step (see tips).
There are lots of types of audio cables in the world, so be sure your cable is the same format as your ports. , (Note:
Connecting some record players directly to the audio input will yield unsatisfactory results.
See warning below.) , You are going to want some sort of program that can record from your "line in." (the line in is what your computer calls the microphone data).
A good free program that should work well is Audacity.
Another good user-friendly and capable program is Audio Hijack, but this will cost you money. , This differs from program to program, but it shouldn't be too hard if you read your user manuals.
If all else fails, check your system preferences to see if your computer is still trying to record from the built-in microphone. , That means record in stereo with a high bit rate.
If you can choose an encoder, go for .mp3 or .aac, and if you'd like you can use .lossless for extra high quality (see tips). , If everything is connected properly and all your software is functioning well, then it should all be recording onto your computer. ,, iTunes is good at doing that sort of thing.
About the Author
Dorothy Ellis
Experienced content creator specializing in DIY projects guides and tutorials.
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