March 8th, 2010 at 10:59 am
(Linkety Goodness, New)
I have lots of Russian Learning tapes, but they are getting old, and tapes degrade overtime, even if not being used, so it is time to copy them over to MP3, so I can make CDs of them for the car, or for a music player or phone.
Also cars no longer come with a tape player standard, you have to ask for the special, and soon if not already they will no longer come with a tape player.
I used to have a tape player walkman but after a few hours of looking, I decided to just get a new one. Turns out Walmart only has MP3 players, and CD players, the only Tape Player they had was an older desk top model that comes with a microphone, then I just needed a cable to connect the the “phone” out on the tape player to the “mic” in on my laptop.
My laptop prompts me when I connect at cable to the mic, if it is a “microphone” or “inline” connection. For my purposes I select “inline”.
Originally I tried using Microsoft’s Media Player, to make the MP3s but since I am still on XP (not wanting to go to Vista), the “Plus!” addon that I would need was discontinued, though Microsoft did suggest that I update to “Windows 7″ which they claimed had many fun solutions for me, but was not more specific.
Instead I downloaded a free audio program “Audacity”
Below is the source
Free, open-source audio recorder and editor for Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and VST plug-ins. … Audacity® is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. …
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Then I need an other program to save the files as MP3s called “Lame” with is an add in for “Audacity”
I did need to link these together, but only the first time I used it.
http://lame.sourceforge.net/index.php
To start open Audacity, click “Record”, the press “Play” on the tape player.
To stop press “Stop” on the tape player, and “Stop” on Audacity.
Audacity’s Noise Removal Effect is ideal for removing constant background noise such as tape hiss, electric fans or hums. It will not work very well for removing talking or music in the background.
It relies on your being able to provide Audacity with an audio sample containing only the noise you want to remove, not one containing music or speech mixed in with the noise.
Select an section of the recording that contains just the hiss noise, using the mouse.
Under the “Effect” menu, select “Noise Removal”.
Click the “Get Noise Profile” button.
Select the entire audio file under “Edit” > “Select” > “All” (or you can press “Ctrl + A”).
Under the “Effect” menu, select “Noise Removal”.
Click the “Remove Noise” button.
I trim up the beginning and end of the file by deleting all extra dead air, I only leave about one to a half second of dead air at the beginning and end of the recording.
After that just export the file as an MP3, under the “File” menu, and give it a good name.
There is also a wiki page for Audacity
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audacity_Wiki_Home_Page
2 Comments
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:53 am
(Linkety Goodness)
Last night we went for quick walk around the blocks.
Sergey was freaking me out, he just kept staring at me intently.
And he didnt move, I didn’t even notice him blink.
So like any good parent, I thought he was dead.
But when I tickled his chin, he giggled, showing that he can breath and smile, and yes even blink.
Well with that tragedy narrowly averted, I turned my attention to my other son Damie.
He was busy trying to get his fingers caught in the strollers spokes. We have a two seater and Damien was in front, playing with the front wheels. Olya assured me it was fine, perhaps she has some secret knowledge of fingers and tires. Hmm….
As we are walking Damien reaches out and latches onto Olya’s hand, and snuggles to it a bit. It is cute to watch him hold hands while he is in the stroller. I just thought I would mention it so I don’t forget it.
There is one pine tree that Damien has a special bond with, so we always stop so he can say “Hi” to the tree. This time while running his fingers (he still had all ten even after the whieel) he decided to take a momento, a little rotting seed pod from a helicopter tree that had landed in the tree some months before. I immediatly move to confiscate the item, because I am mean and like dominating my children. but I am shushed away by Olya, “He is just going to play with it” she says. “No.” I say, “He is going to eat it.” becaus he is an adventurer. Sure enough Damien plays all nice with the rotting seed, then he decides that is enough lets chew on it. Olya swoops in and rescues the little seed pod from destruction, yeah team.
Going to bed
Since we had company over the guys (me, Eric, and Damien) were watching the Tick cartoon.
When Eric had to leave, it was well after Damiens bed time, and with the cartoons off he was a double unhappy boy. Eric mentioned that it must get old having to fight to get him to bed every night. But it’s not I said. He is only like this because it is past his bed time, and he was watching TV too late, usually there is a routine and Damien has been going down much better, so I assured him, that when his son is two next year it really isn’t that hard to put them down.
This Morning
Damien woke up at 6 AM and I wanted to sleep until 6:30, what else is new. He was asking for Mommy but she had had a hard night with Sergey wanting 2 hour feedings, so I went to check on Damien. Damien was saying “Mommy” over and over again, until I siad “Good morning Damien.” Then he switched to saying “No” over and over again. At least he is smart enough to know that I am NOT the mommy. After I tol him mommy was still asleep, he did consent to my suggestion that he go back to sleep. YEAH! If only I had that power all the time.
Well it’s time for you to go back to work. 
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March 21st, 2007 at 2:47 pm
(Linkety Goodness)
Sometimes my manager says funny things, I won’t mention my managers name but, some are worth repeating.
Asked if he has anything to add.
“No.”
Then he goes on to talk for 25 minutes.
In that time he would say the following.
“You are a golden gem.”
and even better
“We can out whore anyone, with our girls.”
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