One of the most common things people want to do with audio is to take existing sources--from CDs, cassettes or formats--and use them in the classroom. They might want to post a sound file on Blackboard or use it in a PowerPoint presentation or create a whole new CD out of a set of sound files. I'm going to cover how to extract files from CDs, how to make simple edits to them, how to post them somewhere and some issues about copyright (which we always have to think about in using source material).
Let me preface my explanations with the information that I am primarily a mac person in that I prefer to uses macs for most of my work; however, I am proficient with both Windows and Linux. I will cover the mac way first, and then the Windows way.
Extracting files from CDs.
Note: If you want to extract sound files from an analog source (cassette or LP), visit our tip sheet, From Waves to Digits. It requires a little extra hardware and a little extra work, but it can be done.
The easiest way to extract files from CDs is to use iTunes. When you put a CD in, you will see the CD icon along the left-hand side. Usually this is highlighted by default. If it's not, simply click on it and on the right-hand side, you'll see the list of tracks on this CD.
To import a single song, first select all the songs, right click (or ctrl-click) and choose "Uncheck selection." Then go back and check the selection you want and click the Import CD button in the top right-hand corner of the window. It will only import the tracks you have checked.
The file will be an m4a file which is a standard format for Apple audio files. These files can be uploaded and played by many players--iTunes and Quicktime being the most common. More information about this format is available here.
We'll talk about converting the file to some other format momentarily.
iTunes may also be used on a Windows PC, but most people will use Windows Media Player. Ripping a CD (extracting tracks) is similar in this application to iTunes. Place the CD into the drive and then open Windows Media Player. Like iTunes, the CD tracks will be listed on the right-hand side of the screen. Also like iTunes, you can check the tracks you want to extract.
Click the Rip Music icon in the upper right. Unlike iTunes, you can choose a format. The default is Windows Media, but you can choose from several other formats. When you click the rip music icon, you'll be presented with an option to keep your current format (it will tell you what that is) or change formats. If you choose to change formats, you'll be take to another screen where you can select a format. The most common compressed format is mp3 and that would be a good option.
Generally speaking, most computers these days come with a variety of audio players and can play most any format you throw at them. So start with defaults and if you have problems, you can convert them to something else.
Linux, too, offers ways to rip CDs. Many distributions come with iTunes-like software or you can use grip for Gnome.
There are also other programs that do CD ripping among many other tasks, such as Roxio's Toast and Easy Media Creator.
Tomorrow I'll cover editing or converting files to other formats, and a few copyright issues.
technorati tags:audio, education, itunes, windows media
