vapors

You should probably include a bit more specific information, as there can be many different factors involved here. For instance, what file type / bit rate are the originals, and what settings did you use to save them? Whether ripped from an audio cd, copied from an mp3 file, or recorded from streaming audio with SoundTap or Golden Records, you usually have the option of choosing the file type and attributes. Then you must choose the proper file type and attributes when saving your edited file in WavePad, which may depend on whether you want to burn an audio cd, or transfer files to an ipod. And how are you listening to the playback (after saving the edited WavePad file) – sometimes I have experienced poor sound quality due to some conflicting software issues on my computer, but the file itself was actually ok.

I am just beginning to work with video - thanks for this post as it helped me understand something I couldn't quite figure out myself.

I almost posted a response until I realized this wasn’t a Golden Records question! Perhaps you should try also in the Golden Videos forum. And thanks, because you have prompted me to download some NCH video software to check out.

Hope this is helpful - this link shows version update info back to June 2006, WavePad 3.05 (the version I own and use everyday!) http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/versions.html

On a pc I would recommend Word. On a mac use AppleWorks.

I am not sure what the issues discussed with the original post were exactly, nor certain how it relates to MixPad, but – there is definitely no need to have any silence whatsoever between tracks when burning a cd. If you desire to discuss this further I’m in, but primarily I thought it prudent to herein dismiss the notion put forth. It is not necessary to have gaps between tracks to burn a cd with separate tracks!

I think it is best to set the levels correctly during the recording/digitizing stage. I did some tests amplifying files in WavePad with good results, but there may be other factors with your situation that I cannot really duplicate. Have you actually tried to amplify a file with WavePad? The software can be downloaded for free, and then you can do some experimenting yourself. I use the program to clean up and edit all my digitized recordings of lps before burning to cd. Works great! Best of luck.

How do you digitize the records? Are you are using Golden Records? I have my stereo hooked up to an audio interface that connects to my computer via usb. The input volume controls on my interface (Lexicon Alpha) allow me to easily adjust the volume of each channel prior to recording. I have had good experience with both Golden Records and WavePad and perhaps I can help, although I use a pc to work with audio files, and don’t know much about iTunes!

I believe that GR applies any Audio Restoration Tools, as well as converting to the file type you have selected, in the background immediately following the recording of a track – observe the ‘status’ percentage at the bottom of the window.

Perhaps your answer is less obvious than this, or maybe this is what you need. Before ripping, you have the option to chose the output folder. Click on the browse button to choose or create an output folder destination. (You should also choose the output format and settings.) Once the files are ripped to this folder, you can clear the ExpressRip window by ejecting the source cd. I work on a pc with version ExpressRip1.43, which works fabulously for me, although I have no experience with iTunes. Best of luck

WavePad is awesome! I have used WavePad for many years to edit audio files, and have recently begun to use it to record guitars and vocals. My setup is very basic, as I am a beginner and trying to learn more about recording audio (I recommend TweakHeadz guide) before spending more money. Recording with WavePad is easily done. The quality of your recording will depend on many factors, but the basic things required are as follows: Soundcard or audio interface... This is where the conversion from analog to digital occurs. I have a Lexicon Alpha, which is an inexpensive desktop audio interface that connects to the computer via USB. There are many alternatives which vary in quality, convenience and price – my initial primary concern was to have easy access to the controls and input/output jacks. Preamp... The signal from a guitar pickup (or microphone) needs to be boosted to line level. Although the Alpha does have an instrument input, the signal is very weak when I record directly to WavePad. You can amplify the file in WavePad, but I knew that I needed more. After much research and deliberation, I recently purchased a DMP3 microphone/instrument preamp from M-Audio. This unit has dramatically enhanced my recording experience. There are many pieces of gear, such as a mixer, that come with preamps, but I want to learn and plan some more before making the next step in my studio gear. It took some trial and error recording into WavePad to understand how to set the levels on the preamp and the interface, but the results are fantastic. At present I use it basically to practice with, as I have yet to have figured out how to successfully utilize the MixPad program to add new tracks, but that is a subject for another time. Best of luck and happy recording!

The "free" version of SoundTap is only to demonstrate the program. You cannot use the program to actually make a recording until you purchase and register it. Once you activate your copy, that "purchase...." voice will be gone. SoundTap is well worth the price, especially when bundled with other programs.

Experience tells me that when recording in real time from an external source with Golden Records or for that matter when using SoundTap to record streaming audio from the internet, it is best to leave the computer be. Also check screen saver, power/sleep settings and automatic updates as these can mess up a session. I will have the destination folder open on the desktop so it is already loaded in RAM, and if I’m streaming from a website that webpage is also open. I can switch between these windows and the software during recording mode to check that things are proceeding properly, but my advice is to keep activity at a minimum to reduce the chance of inadvertently ruining a recording. Monitor the session over your stereo and enjoy. I often like to play along with my guitar, and also have the luxury of a second computer to keep me busy. Recording is different than downloading a file, which can be happening in the background while you are doing other stuff – the digital info will usually come through with no ill effect, other than perhaps a slowed down speed if resources are competing. Perhaps a “bigger and better computer” can handle multiple and independent tasks, but as I’ve said, to get the best results limit any interference when recording.

I'm not so savvy about all file types, but if you are working with audio files, and save them as .wav (my preference), then you will certainly be able to burn them to a cd. Perhaps what you do not realize (?) is that WavePad, as wonderful as it is, is not designed to be a cd burning software. If you don't have a burning program yet, perhaps you should try out ExpressBurn for free and see if you can complete your project. Best of luck !

Wow. That might be a simple, and hopefully temporary solution ( I use xp so maybe i don't know) but - if I've got this right - it seems kinda silly to go from digital to analog back to digital ? I mean, one of the reasons I bought this software in the first place was to avoid having to do that anymore.

I don't know if this will help, but here are my thoughts. Is it possible that you are used to working with mp3 files but you have SoundTap's output format set to wav? (click on Options tab : Output format.) It can be set to mp3, with more advanced options also. I only work with wav files so I can't help with those. Example of my thinking: a 3.5 minute song recorded as a wav file (bit rate : 4411 kbps) will be @ 34 MB. Is this of any help? Vapors

I believe that you would need to use a program such as MixPad, which will enable playback (monitoring) of one track while recording to a new track. I don't think that this is possible in WavePad, since although you can have many files open in the window at once, you can only have one active at a time. I have just started using MixPad myself to do pretty much what you are attempting, and have noticed, as has been posted about in the MIxPad forum, that during playback each newly recorded track starts a bit later than the previous (latency). I think you might be able to do some manual fine tuning to move the new track so it lines up with the first, but I am just beginning to explore this myself. Good luck - WavePad is a great program with many capabilities I have yet to discover! Vapors

Hi. Learning to use GR takes a good bit of trial and error. I have been using the program (v.1.10) for two years with great results and happiness. There are a number of factors involved in obtaining optimal results and as witnessed by the many frustrations shared in posts here the solutions can be illusive. I'll try to be brief today and just address the topic of this thread as clearly as I can. I use NCH programs on a pc, windows xp. To clear the window (and your hard drive) the first suggestion I have is to click on the options tab at the top of the GR main window and check the box "Delete files permantly when deleting from the main window". This should enable you to clear the files from the window and the default folder that GR uses behind the scenes for its' storage (by selecting the tracks you wish to discard, right click and chose "remove file(s)".) Also, once the GR main window is empty, if you wish to have your next recordings begin with "untitled 01", shut down and reopen the program (otherwise it will name/number the next new file sequentially from title (number) of the last recording it made) Once I have successfully recorded an album, I always clear the GR window and restart the program for my next project. This keeps things neat and managable, and I know I have the files saved in my own folder to work with (see below.) In the Recording Output Format window of the wizard I check " Make copy to:" , and browse for my "albums folder" . This will create a copy of each file that is independent from the one the program holds in its memory. Make sure you click "Next" at the bottom and finish out the wizard. Henceforth these settings should stay the default each time you use GR. I save my lp recordings to a desktop folder (I label it "albums") and after recording both sides, working within the "albums" folder, I create a new folder with the albums' name, drag the new files to it, and then rename the tracks (ie. "1.song title"); putting a number before the track name will make windows keep them in order for later use when burning to disc. As Phil mentions, these files can be deleted manually ( just drag them to the recycle bin.) My methods perhaps take more time than some wish to spend - my filing procedures work for me and I enjoy working with music files (and I don't mind renaming files either.) I get quicker and more systematic at the processes the more I do. I use WavePad to edit and clean up my tracks. Loading larger wav files into the program can take a bit of patience, but the end result - having an old favorite album or cassette burnt to a cd that I can listen to/share anywhere - is time well spent. I guess I'll also mention here, as others have said elsewhere, that if you are having trouble with tracks being split up due to the auto split feature settings or the nature of the recording, I find it saner to uncheck that feature (click on the option tab in the recording session window and uncheck "Auto Split Files based on Noise Floor") and record each side as one track. Then split it up in WavePad. Knowing the track lengths from the record will make it easy to locate where to split the file. I have found WavePad quite well suited to my uses. I don't confess to knowing how to use many of its features, but in addition to splitting the tracks, which I prefer over pasting bits together, you can clean up the often crackly silence between tracks ( Amplify: gain: 0) Depending on your preference, patience and the condition of the lp/cassette it is possible to spend hours cleaning up the recording, but I'll leave that for another time. Hope this is of some help. Vapors

Sorry I couldn't begin to know how your system is configured from the info you've posted, but Golden Records is much better suited for this purpose!

I'm new to this forum myself; been using Wavepad (v3.05) happily for two years. It is a great product for its' price. Most of my work in Wavepad is cleaning up tracks from lps and cassettes recorded with Golden Records, or editing files obtained from streaming audio with SoundTap. Both of these programs work real well for my uses. Switch is very good also, ExpressRip simple and fast. I don't much care for ExpressBurn (I have an older version) - I use Nero on my PC. Should you decide to purchase any NCH software, I'd recommend experimenting with the free versions, read as much info on the net you can find - like this forum, and buy those products you desire bundled together. Consider paying for the hard copy on CD as a backup (a bundled purchase will come on one CD) - it could save much heartache in the future. And don't lose the product activation codes / keys! (Print out and save the confirmation email.) First off, my method of operation is to save my working files in PCM format, (attributes:44,100 kHz 16 bit stereo) in a "recordings" folder for streamed and ripped files and an "albums" folder for GR recordings on my desktop. In your example, I would drag both files onto the wavepad window. Both files will display their waveforms. Select the portion you wish to paste by dragging the cursor over it and click the Copy tab. Place the cursor in the other file window at the spot where you wish to paste, and click the Paste tab. Use "save as" to save as a new file and keep originals intact. Simple enough? Perhaps you've already run this route and I'm missing something. Good luck. vapors

I also wish I knew how to make a loop in wavepad! Not sure if this is relevant to your use, but I'd copy entire file (or parts thereof) and paste it at the end. Repeat as many times as desirable.. Peace. vapors