• Change the tempo without changing the pitch. I do this more with non-standard square dance music to bring it into square dance range (124-132 bpm or thereabouts).

• Clean up a scratchy record. Most sound editing software contains filters for removing scratches and pops on worn records.

• Remove irritating intros. I’ve got a couple of records with “cute” intros (like telephones ringing). I just chopped them out.
• Make the track longer so you don’t have to loop. Just take a selection of the music and copy and paste it (make sure you get smooth transitions).

• Remove vocals from non-standard square dance music. This is actually non-trivial. If you’re interested in how to do it, check this web site:
http://www.ethanwiner.com/
novocals.html
.

Note: if your original source is an MP3 file, you need to convert it to a .wav file in order to modify it. When you reconvert to an MP3, you’re losing some quality. This is why I avoid MP3 files as a music source unless there’s no other option.

Bottom Line:

Ultimately, if you want to keep up with the latest music, you’ll need to get some kind of digital output device. While producers want to continue to produce vinyl, it’s becoming difficult economically.
Least expensive option: A portable CD-player. Even if you don’t have a desktop computer, you can play the new releases that are produced on CDs and continue to use records. If you have a desktop computer, consider adding a CD-burner so you can also have access to any MP3-only music releases.

Most flexible option: A laptop computer.

You can easily use (and manipulate) the music that comes on CDs or as MP3 files. You can gradually digitize your vinyl and move all your music to the laptop.

Most portable option: MP3 Player: They’re small (tiny for solid state, less so for hard disk players) and self-contained (no disks to worry about). But you do need a computer to use them. GCA member Rich Reel is very interested in portable, easy-to-set-up music solutions. Ask him about his homemade speaker/amp/MP3 player combo.

Best option without a computer: MiniDisc. You can record CDs and and vinyl to minidisc without a computer.

If you want access to MP3 only releases, you will need a computer (or a friend with a computer...).

Note: Royal Records has just released some music in three forms: vinyl, CD, and MP3. I’d like to urge everyone to buy the CD version; I’m hoping that CDs will become the medium of choice for record producers.

Additional note: Music piracy is a major


Page 4 Digital Music - CALLERLAB Presentation March 2002





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