Vinyl -> CD-R: Good Editing Software?

[Madz]

I'm new to this area but I want to copy some vinyl to my PC to make some CD's. But I need a decent editor to knock out pops, clicks and other surface noise. Something cheap or even free (open-source?) would be preferred.

[indolikaa]

I use two programs for LPs and 45s: Nero's Wave Editor and Dart CD Recorder.

Dart CD has a more robust filter capability than Nero. I use it for LPs that have been heavily worn or were produced before about 1970. Nero works fine for LPs with minor noise, though.

[lordsmurf]

SONY SOUNDFORGE is good. There's a new cheap version (limited edition)
DARTPRO was always good.
COOLEDIT (quit using)
ADOBE AUDITION (not something I use)

[lgh529]

I use Cool Edit 2000 for this (called Audition now I think). Not free I'm afraid, and the noise reduction plugin was $50 more (total of about $110).

I usually only use tape hiss reduction which I have had fairly good success. However, my last project was a recording from vinyl, and not only was I unimpressed with the result, it took a long time to do. The recoding was about 25 minutes, and it took nearly 30 hours! It took longer than most video encoding projects I've done. Maybe if I tweaked the settings I could have gotten better result, but in this case its for my kids so I don't really care much about the quality.

It removed the clicks and pops just fine, but it also removed a lot more of the real recording than I would have liked.

I also use Sound Forge, but I haven't gotten the noise reduction plugin for that since its about $300 and I can't justify that. Maybe someone else could comment on its ability.

[lordsmurf]

I wrote a detailed SOUNDFORGE RESTORATION guide with a downloadable presets file at www.digitalFAQ.com that can cure a lot of problems.

[lgh529]

I wrote a detailed SOUNDFORGE RESTORATION guide with a downloadable presets file at www.digitalFAQ.com that can cure a lot of problems.

Clicks a pops from vinyl are not easily removed using filters since they are inconsistent. It's possible, but you end up removing too much good information. Kind of like using a 2D Noise Removal tool with the pixel setting too high, sure you got rid of the noise, but what did you end up with.

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, that's the one thing I rely on DARTPRO for, and even then it's not great. I prefer to find them one by one and edit the audio ONLY for the duration of the pop/click in SOUNDFORGE. Of course, it can be time-consuming, but I only convert rare LPs anyway, so well worth my time.

[mike1061]

I use "Blaze audio products" for tape & LP to CD everyday. It is not free, but you can take out a scratch in a record. It is also time consuming, but I don't like filters either. I also don't worry about hiss and stuff. I tried most software, but I have not tried "Sound Forge".
Thanks Mike

[JackMartinEF]

What function do you use with Nero Wave Editor to remove crackle and pops?

[stewart2000]

i would go along with lgh529, cooledit 2k pro is great, not free... but trials can be unlocked ***wink***

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. "Unlocking" trial software is illegal. If you really want it, buy it. No warez!
/ Moderator lordsmurf

[NamPla]

Audacity (free) has limited built-in noise reduction, good for removing "white noise" (ie hiss or hum). There is no automatic "click/pop" removal (tho' they're working on it), but you can use the "pencil" tool to remove individual clicks. Also you can record each side of an LP, and place "label markers" between the tracks, rather than doing it song-by-song.

http://www.audacityteam.org/wiki/index.pl?ClickPop

You might want to look at GramoFile (free), which is specifically geared for LP-to-CD conversion and has more extensive de-hiss, de-pop, de-crackle etc. However the interface ain't too friendly, but it works well. It, too, places track markers (automatically or manually).

There's Gnome Wave (free)... but I "think" it might be Linux-only...?? (just heard about it).

Or Goldwave (shareware) has excellent NR and declick/pop etc... Full-functional trial period, after which you need to pay (nothing exorbitant = terrific value!).

Cheers.

[stewart2000]

i would go along with lgh529, cooledit 2k pro is great, not free... but trials can be unlocked ***wink***

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. "Unlocking" trial software is illegal. If you really want it, buy it. No warez!
/ Moderator lordsmurf

not if you buy the unlock code it isnt.

[Tommyknocker]

Use Gold Wave. Powerful, and trialware version is fully functional for something 100 functions, then you reload it for another 100 or so.

[housepig]

not if you buy the unlock code it isnt.

generally if you've bought the unlock code, you don't need to wink, or put "unlock" in quotes.

[scottyblackspider]

I agree that Goldwave is an excellent audio utility. I have not used it with vinyl, but I did recently restore/digitize a cassette tape that had some undesireable distortions due to the de-magnetiziation of one side. I am extremely happy with the results. Besides it's functionality, the price is well worth it and the support over there rulz!

[NamPla]

Hi Housepig, wasn't Man Is The Bastard an old extreme noise band? From California or something?

(sorry for off-topic)

But yeah, Goldwave would be a good choice here, for it's sheer value & versatility. Excellent software!

[housepig]

wasn't Man Is The Bastard an old extreme noise band? From California or something?

not a noise group per se, although they frequently utilized the oscillator banks of Amps for Christ in their music.

the main guy Wood broke off with a noise project, Bastard Noise, which is super active (just back from a tour of Japan)... and hopefully I'll be able to get them to release something on Housepig Records this coming year.

(well, it's kinda on-topic... we were discussing noise, after all )

[SatStorm]

IMO buy an old version of Soundforge from ebay or something, a second hand legal copy of it. Even version 4.0 does an excellent job regarding filtering the sources (and has tons of plug ins / filters to use!)