Digital Preservation of Audio Cassettes

By Lori Spencer

 

Magnetic audio cassette tapes deteriorate over time to due age, wear, dust and temperature/humidity fluctuations. If you have some cherished recordings on cassette tape that you don’t want to lose, back them up to a digital format quickly and preserve them forever.

This is a simple process using basic sound recording software. Some popular free software choices are Audacity and WavePad (both are Mac compatible), or you can just use the Sound Recorder program that came pre-installed with Windows. In this tutorial we will be using Audacity, although the…

Continues at: http://www.ehow.com/how_7346684_record-audio-cassette-computer.html

How to Take Great Pictures of Yourself

By Lori Spencer

 

We’ve all seen them: self-taken photographs showing an arm holding the camera, or snapped in front of a mirror with a blinding flash glare. Naturally, you want your photos to look better than that, but the physical limitations of snapping your own picture make it nearly impossible to get a good shot of yourself (unless you’re a contortionist, that is).

If you need photos of yourself and don’t have someone around to take them, there are ways to avoid the common pitfalls of do-it-yourself photography…

Read more: How to Take Great Pictures of Yourself | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7469227_great-pictures-yourself.html#ixzz1g8od9kFT

How to Take Care of 78 RPM Records

By Lori Spencer

 

Collectors of 78 rpm records treat their old shellac discs like rare and precious jewels, as often they are worth a great deal of money. Even the casual collector can learn much about caring for their 78s by talking to an experienced professional collector, curator, or trader of vintage records. Old 78 rpm shellac platters are extremely fragile, vulnerable to chips, cracking and breakage. They require special care and handling at all times and must be stored in conditions conducive to preservation.

Cleaning

Step 1

Use a damp terrycloth lint-free towel to remove surface dust and dirt. Never apply alcohol cleaning products to shellac discs — this strips the surface. For general cleaning, water works just fine. If the disc is really dirty, mix some mild dish-washing liquid with the water.

Step 2

Rub gently in the direction of the grooves. To prevent cracking of the disc, do this on a soft flat surface like a bed or sofa.

Step 3

Rinse or replace the towel frequently if cleaning more than just one or two records.

Step 4

Follow the cleaning towel with a dry towel.

Step 5

Lay the record out to dry overnight. Do not place it back in the sleeve until completely dry.

Storage

Step 1

Store your records clean. Dirt and dust in the grooves can scratch the records when the box is moved around. Organic compounds react with the shellac, attracting insects such as silverfish. These little critters love to eat paper sleeves and record labels.

Step 2

Keep your record boxes high and dry. Humidity above 85% promotes mold growth and porous 78 record sleeves absorb moisture. Store them off the floor in the event of a flood or plumbing leak.

Step 3

Avoid storing 78 rpm records flat; this puts pressure on the records. Store them upright, on edge, in clean new sleeves. Do not allow the records to lean as this causes warping. If storing them in a box, make sure the discs are fully upright and flat against each other, held in place with a divider if necessary.

Step 4

Monitor the temperature where the records are stored. High temperatures will warp 78s, especially if they are not stored flat and upright. Room temperature should not exceed 75 degrees.

Playback

Step 1

Use a fresh new needle for every record if you’re planning to play the 78s on a vintage Victrola. Bear in mind that the heavy tonearm and steel needles on these older record players wear down the grooves much faster than modern equipment.

Step 2

Invest in a high-quality modern turntable with a 78 rpm speed setting. (These are still available from specialty retailers.) If you have very rare or valuable 78s, it is strongly recommended that you only play them on modern electric turntables, not old Victrolas.

Step 3

Copy your 78s to a digital format, such as burning them to CD or to your computer. This saves wear and tear on the original records, while allowing you the pleasure of listening to them as often as you like.

Tips

When it comes to vintage recordings, 78 rpm collectors are merely stewards of historical artifacts. Much like a museum curator, your goal should be to do as little damage as possible and preserve them for future generations.

Warnings

Take extra special care of the record label: collectors and 78 rpm record buyers will pay top dollar for labels that are in excellent condition. Labels that are torn, stamped, marked or damaged reduce the value of your record significantly. Never immerse your records in water or wet the label when cleaning; this will cause labels to bubble or peel.

Key Concepts

• 78rpm record collecting
• 78rpm record care
• 78rpm record cleaning
• 78rpm record storage
• playing 78rpm records
• 78rpm record preservation

References

• 78rpm: Frequently Asked Questions [http://www.78rpm.com/faq.htm]
• The 78rpm Home Page: Repair Tips [http://78rpmrecord.com/repair.htm]
• Tim’s Phonographs and Old Records: Assessing the Condition of Old 78rpm Discs [http://www.gracyk.com/assess.shtml]

Resources (Further Reading)

• Kix: Vinyl Record Collecting Resources [http://kixsoftware.com/vinylresources.html]
• 78rpm Records [http://78rpmrecord.com]
• Garage-A-Records: Record Cleaning Products for 33, 45, and 78rpm Records [http://www.garage-a-records.com/cleaner.html]

User Bio

Lori Spencer has written professionally since 1986. She is the author of three nonfiction books, is writing her fourth and provides content for eHow and LIVESTRONG.COM. She also produces and hosts a weekly radio show. Her subjects of expertise include history, media, music, film and the performing arts.

Writing Heavy Metal Songs

By Lori Spencer

 

When it comes to writing heavy metal songs, it’s more about the attitude and riff than following any given format. While the basic rules of songwriting still apply, there are times to burn the rulebook and forget everything you’ve been taught in school. Don’t get too caught up in technique–rock and roll is rebellion, above all else.

Read more: How to Write Good Metal Music | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7335893_write-good-metal-music.html#ixzz1g8ybRfSw

How to Broadcast a Radio Station at a Business Within the Copyright Laws

By Lori Spencer

 

If you enjoy playing the radio as background music for employees and customers at your place of business, you may unwittingly be violating copyright laws. Without a proper license or permission from the copyright owner, re-broadcasting music is illegal. The best way to avoid this potential problem is to simply acquire a license from Broadcast Music International (BMI), the American Societyof Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) or the performing rights organization…

Read more: How to Broadcast a Radio Station at a Business Within the Copyright Laws | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8530148_broadcast-business-within-copyright-laws.html#ixzz1ODrLVCp2

Mechanical Licenses and Copyright: What Songwriters Should Know

By Lori Spencer

 

If you are a songwriter and another artist wants to record one of your songs, there are legal issues to consider. Before someone else can legally record your song, they must get a license and pay a fee if you own the copyright. In the recording industry, this is called a mechanical license. U.S. copyright law prohibits the manufacture and distribution of songs written by others without a mechanical license. This rule holds in most countries, although statutory requirements may vary. This license ensures that the music publisher and songwriter get paid for their work.

Read more: How to Put Your Music on Someone Else’s CD | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8508528_put-music-someone-elses-cd.html#ixzz1O79SZHpd

Renewal Options in Recording Contracts

By Lori Spencer

 

A record contract is a written agreement that binds a record company to an artist or band for a specified number of albums. These agreements are typically exclusive, meaning that the artist may not perform recording services for any other label or organization for the duration of the contract. Every recording contract will contain renewal “options,” generally after each album. The option to renew the contract is at the record company’s sole option, not the artist’s.

Read more: How to Write a Non-Renewal Music Agreement | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8508259_write-nonrenewal-music-agreement.html#ixzz1O77iNiZO

What Are The Catalog Numbers on Vinyl Records?

By Lori Spencer

 

Vinyl records fell out of favor with the music-buying public after compact discs emerged in the mid-1980s. However, many people wisely held on to their old record albums, knowing they would become collector’s items one day. Indeed, vinyl albums that are particularly rare or in mint condition now command high prices on the collector’s market. In order to learn more about a vinyl record and its worth, you must first begin with the catalog number.

Read more: What are the Catalog Numbers on Vinyl Records? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8518643_catalog-numbers-vinyl-records.html#ixzz1O74qN1Gr