DACS Review of Last Month's Meeting

Fufilling your Burning Desire

The sudden expansion of new types of media storage, like iPod, combined with the growing clutter of old media LPs and tapes, has led many music mavens to look for ways to convert their analog collections to a digital format.

At our November General Meeting our own Bruce Preston, showed how to turn your golden oldies into digital CDs or iPod archives, and to banish those pesky pops, clicks and hissing sounds in the process. His presentation certainly sounded great.

Bruce brought with him a set of equipment and software, so that he could not only talk about the subject but also give a number of different demonstrations to show what can be done with today’s tools such as Voyetra’s AudioSurgeon, which can be had for a song (and a $30 download).

With the current crop of portable digital players in the marketplace, being able to carry around and access all the different content you possess in one library or on one portable device has been a holy grail for a number of years. Now you can do it and hear the results.

Converting to digital is not the only objective. Bruce showed how with the tools available you can improve or reorganize your media library easily once in digital format. He did such things as removing pops and hisses from old recordings to improve their sound quality, assembling a playlist and then burning a CD that will work in your stereo system, computer, car, or walkman. Bruce showed how these tasks can be accomplished by even the most non technical of users. If you are very lucky (happen to own one) you can store your selections on an MP3 device such as an Apple iPod. It certainly allows you to play around.

All the above is easier and more convenient than carrying around a stack of LPs and 45s in your pocket along with a phonograph (this device used to be popular many years ago) on your back. It scales down the effort to something manageable.
Based on all of Bruce’s presentations I sometimes wonder if there is room enough in his house for both his family and all the different gadgets he possesses. Is there something Bruce does not own?
Thanks Bruce!

[View the Presentation by clicking HERE]

[You can download AudioSurgeon from www.voyetra.com]