Step 2: Transfer to a PC

Saving music from a CD to your PC is called “Ripping”. There are a number of programs which will read a CD and save a digital file on your PC’s hard drive. Real Jukebox, Music Match, and others will allow you to record the song to your PC.

In order to edit a song, you need to transfer the song into a format which your editing Program. Many programs can read either WAV, MP3, WMA or RealAudio. WAV files take up a great deal of space, but provide the highest sound quality. WAV files consume roughly 10 megabytes per minute of audio. Be sure to specify 44kHz stereo for the highest quality.

MP3 files take up much less space than WAV files (around 1 megabyte per minute), and provide excellent quality if recorded at 96kbps or higher. Most people cannot tell the difference between 128kbps MP3 and a WAV file. I do most of my work in 128kbps MP3 format, which produces clean music with a low space requirement.

Note that by connecting your stereo’s Line Out (not speakers!!) or headphone out jack to your sound card’s Line In, you can record records or cassette tapes to a digital file. You usually need an adapter or two from your local Radio Shack. Some PC music editing programs will even remove the clicks and pops from old records!  You'll also need a program which can record from the 'line in' jack on your sound card. MP3 Audio Mixer from Acoustica can do this.

Often, I’ll take a laptop into the studio, and “rip” the music and edit it complete in a few minutes. Laptops are great for music editing!

Bottom Line: Get the music onto your PC. The the fun begins!

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