[PLUG] Converting Cassettes to computer files

Richard C. Steffens rsteff at comcast.net
Sun Jul 30 20:44:42 UTC 2006


John Purser wrote:

> Has anyone on this list played one full side of
> a tape into a computer, then used a program to break out the individual
> songs?
> 
> Any tips, hints, and tutorials would be appreciated.

I have used gramofile for recording cassette tapes, as well as LP's.

http://freshmeat.net/projects/gramofile/

While not perfect, gramofile does a reasonable job of locating the 
breaks between tracks. For conversion to MP3, I've used BladeEnc.

http://freshmeat.net/projects/gramofile/

Both are command line programs. Gramofile has a curses user interface, 
and BladeEnc allows wild cards to permit conversion of multiple files 
with a single invocation.

Gramofile also has decent scratch and pop filtering. I just use the 
default filter and have been happy with it. I've never tried mixing and 
matching from the other possibilities that also come with gramofile.

Like most mp3 encoders, BladeEnc will let you choose the bit rate you 
want. I understand a lot of folks are happy with 128. It really depends 
on the kind of music you are listening to, and how fussy your ears are. 
I use 256 for classical music. I can tell the difference between 256 and 
192. I can't tell the difference between 256 and 3xx (whatever the 
number is that's supposed to be as good as a CD).

-- 
Regards,

Dick Steffens



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