At our November 8 General Meeting–note the date change—DACS’ resident guru, Bruce Preston, will sound off on digital recording. Always interesting and informative, Bruce will describe and demonstrate the process of converting LPs and other analog media to digital audio files.

First there was Edison’s phonograph. It provided analog reproduction via an acoustic horn. Later, with the invention of the vacuum tube (another Edison invention) and the birth of electronics, the sound output was amplified. This was followed by many decades of refinement, including changes of media. Instead of cylinders we had flat disks spinning at 78 rpm, 45 rpm, or 33- 1/ 3 rpm. Monophonic evolved into stereo, which preserved the sound separation of a live performance. Another media became available--magnetic tape, in reel-to-reel, cassette, and the still-born 8-track format. These were all serviceable for recording music, but didn’t lend themselves to home editing.

With the availability of digital processing in home computers, things have changed. It is now possible to directly record in digital format, or to convert analog to digital. Once in binary format, your recording can be manipulated in much the same way as you would use a word processing program. For example, it becomes possible to remove pops, clicks and background noise from a recording. You may assemble your own play list, rearrange the selections or delete unloved songs, and then burn a CD that will work in your stereo system, computer, car, walkman, or an MP3 device, such as an Apple iPod.

If you want to preserve your old music library on the new digital media, or have friends that do, be sure to come to our November General Meeting. You’ll learn how to create a personal recording studio on your own home computer or laptop.

DACS General Meetings are held at Danbury Hospital auditorium. Activities begin at 7 p.m. with informal networking and Random Access Q&A, followed by general business and a brief intermission. The evening program commences at 8:00.

Also, prepare for our Tuesday, December 6, General Meeting, where we will have our annual assessment of The Future of the Internet, by cyberspace prophet, John Patrick.