LpRecords - Main - The Caboteria

**NOTE** - I started this process using MP3 as a format, but MP3 (like GIF) has some very odious patent issues, so now I plan to do all of my recording in the excellent (and truly free) FLAC format.  There appear to be many encoders and players for computers, although no little hand-held players (yet), but since I listen at my PC most of the time that's OK.  You can learn more about it at http://www.xiph.org/ - it's very cool.

Back in high school and college I used to listen to music, go to shows, and buy a lot of albums.  I fondly remember falling asleep to the glow of my 20-watt receiver that I got at Tech Hifi.  I've got different priorities these days so I find it pretty inconvenient to queue up an LP and keep the kids from jostling it while I listen.  I had a thought the other day that I'd probably listen to my LP's more if it were more convenient so I've started the process of recording them digitally and converting them to a compressed format.

I use a tool called brec ( http://www.amberdata.demon.co.uk/bplay/ ) on my PC to do the basic recording and then write em to CD's using cdrtoaster ( http://cdrtoaster.sourceforge.net/ ) and convert to MP3 format using lame ( http://www.sulaco.org/mp3/ ).  The combination seems to work pretty well, and it's amazing how you remember certain clicks and pops even after 10 years...

Here are the albums that I've recorded so far:

Earth Wind and Fire - Gratitude<br>
Lou Reed - Rock n Roll Animal<br>
The English Beat - I Just Can't Stop It<br>
Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel (the one with PG's melting face)<br>
The Cars - The Cars<br>
Fischer Z - Going Deaf For a Living<br>
Brian Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets, Another Green World<br>
Steely Dan - Katy Lied<br>
Traffic - The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys<br>
Roxy Music - The High Road, Greatest Hits, Viva!, Siren, Country Life, Flesh and Blood<br>
Shadowfax - Shadowfax<br>
Tangerine Dream - Ricochet<br>
The Who - Tommy<br>
Warren Zevon - Warren Zevon<br>
Gang of Four - Entertainment<br>
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (a CD, b-day present from Dad)<br>
U2 - The Joshua Tree, Under a Blood Red Sky<br>
Tom Lehrer - Songs and More Songs by Tom Lehrer (a CD)<br>
The Police - Outlandos d'Amour<br>
Madness - One Step Beyond...<br>
Talking Heads - 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food, Speaking in Tongues, Little Creatures<br>
Jimmy Cliff - In Concert The Best Of<br>
The Specials - The Specials<br>
The J. Geils Band - Sanctuary<br>
Bryan Ferry - In Your Mind<br>
Lene Lovich - Stateless<br>
Phil Collins - Face Value<br>
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks<br>
The J. Geils Band - Bloodshot<br>
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon<br>

You've probably guessed by this list that most of my tastes in music were formed in the late '70's and early '80's.

BTW, I've accelerated the pace of recording since we found we have moths in the attic (long story, don't ask).  If you want me to record any LP's for you please let me know ASAP since I'll probably sell the turntable (Technics SL-2) when I'm finished.