June 2010

Easily Convert Cassettes and LPs to MP3 using Baktrack.com

The easiest way to convert cassettes to mp3 is to use www.baktrack.com  online service. Using Baktrack you can connect your computer to your stereo with a standard eighth in cable, press play on your stereo and click start on Baktrack's home page. One end of the cable goes in your stereo's headphone out and the other end is connected to your computer's line in, mic in or in the case of newer mac laptops your headphone in. 

If your on a mac you may have to change your sound preferences to specify that you want to use the headphone or line in for incoming audio. As your stereo plays tracks are separated automatically so you can just let it play. If there are any errors you can always delete, cut and combine your tracks before you download.   It is really very simple to use. Convert cassettes to mp3 and lps to mp3 now.

Features

• No software install necessary
• Automatically separate tracks
• Cut mp3s into multiple files
• Combine multiple mp3s into one file
• Add artist data to mp3 like , name , song title, album and more
• Hiss removal COMING SOON
• Noise removal COMING SOON

Using Baktrack to convert cassettes and records

There are three easy steps to begin converting with Baktrack.com.

1. Connect your stereo or audio playing device to your computer with a standard audio cable.
2. Click test record and set the volume on your stereo and computer’s mic or line in
3. Cue up your tape or record and click the start button

Easy to follow videos showing how to use baktrack can be found here. If you prefer more detailed written instructions follow the steps below.

Preparation:
You will need a 3.55 mm audio cable, sometimes referred to as an eighth inch cable to connect your stereo and computer. If you don’t have an audio cable you can buy one here.
In some instances stereo headphone jacks are quarter inch. In this case an eighth inch to quarter inch adapter is needed as well.  You can buy an adapter here. Most electronic stores will sell both of these items though we can just about guarantee our price is lower.

1. Connect to your stereo:
   1. Click the Apple Menu and choose System Preferences
   2. Click “Sound”
   3. Click the “Input” tab and Select “Line In”
   4. Press play on your stereo if its not already playing and make sure you see a sound level(Make sure the level is not too high or too low)

 

Connect one end of the cable to your stereo’s head phone jack and the other end to your computer’s mic input or line input. For newer mac laptops connect to your head phone input

Mac users, follow the steps below to set your Sound Preferences. Windows users can skip ahead to step 2.  A video covering Mac Sound Preferences can be found here.

 

2. Set Levels:

Once the cable is connected, make sure your stereo/audio playing device is playing and click “Test Record”.

 

When the “Adobe Flash Player Settings” prompt appears click “Allow” to allow backtrack to gain access to your mic or line in.

You should see a prompt window showing you your sound level. An MP3 file of your test recording will automatically be sent to your computer once the test record time limit is reached.

 

Once the test mp3 has downloaded to your computer, open it in Itunes or in the mp3 playing software of your choice and check the sound quality. If you hear distortion or other sound quality issues you most likely have your stereo volume, line In volume or mic in vloume set too high.  Click here to view sound issues video help.

3. Convert:

If the test recording sounded good you are ready to begin. Cue up your tape and click the “record” button. Baktrack is set to separate your tracks automatically when it encounters silence. If you want to separate your tracks manually, uncheck the “Separate tracks automatically” check box. To learn more about other backtrack features like adding artist info to your MP3s and cutting or combining MP3s click here.

September 2009

We're really excited to announce the beta version of Livestew.com. Livestew is an interactive community driven radio station for unsigned artists. The idea behind Livestew is to create an online “radio station like” experience built off a communal database of music that is easily filterable through a number of criteria. Our goal is to create an experience that allows music listeners to find local and foreign music they like but may not have normally been aware of while simultaneously providing musicians with a way to get their music heard, self promote and get feedback. There are a ton of features geared towards both artists and listeners, some of which include:

Artists Can

• Upload music in bulk(as zip files) or individually(as mp3s) from the “Upload” section of the site.
• Remove music and change user information from the “MyStuff” section of the site.
• Upload an image to represent an artist's band/music.
• Post upcoming shows by emailing us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Add This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to your mailing list. When you send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the info you send will show up on Livestew when your music plays.
• Receive feedback from listeners in an open forum.
• Check how many times songs have been played, how many times they've been rated and check current ratings in the “MyStuff” section.
• Respond to feedback posted by fans and listeners in an open forum.
• Email a track to others by clicking the envelope icon in each tracks info section.

Listeners Can

• Thoroughly filter music to find what you like
• Play tracks that have a particular keyword in the title or description. For instance if you type “Heaven” in the keyword filter Livestew will only play tracks that use the word “Heaven” in their title or description.
• Save tracks to their own personal set of tracks.
• Sign artists mailing lists and automatically receive notifications of artists upcoming shows
• Rate artists music and limit what Livestew plays based on track ratings.
• Play music from a specific location.
• Play music based on a style or combination of styles.
• Remove your music and change user information from the “MyStuff” section of the site.
• Leave feedback for artists in an open forum.
• Flag artists if they misrepresent their music, steal someone else's music or if you pay them for music and they don't send you the mp3 file.
• Email a track to others by clicking the envelope icon in each tracks info section.

Click here to check out Livestew