Most laptops are equipped with a sound card that lets the user connect various audio devices, including a stereo. When a laptop is installed with audio recording software, the computer can be used to convert the analog sound signal from a stereo into a digital signal for storing on the hard drive, uploading to an MP3 or iPod player, or burning to a CD. Some laptops may come with recording software, which can also be purchased at computer and electronics stores. Free recording software is also available on the Internet.
Instructions
1. Connect a set of RCA audio cables to the audio "Output" jacks on the back of the stereo, using the red plug for the right channel and the white plug for the left.
2. Connect the other ends of the cables to the jacks in the Y adapter.
3. Insert the mini-plug on the Y adapter into the laptop's sound card "Input" jack.
4. Open the recording software on the computer by double clicking the name of the software from the program list.
5. Select the stereo source for recording audio. For example, set the stereo selector switch to "tape deck" or "CD" if recording from a cassette or disk to the laptop.
6. Insert the audio source (CD, cassette, record) in the stereo and start playback.
7. Click the "Record" button on the laptop's audio recording software. The "Record" button usually has a red circle in the center.
8. Click the "Stop" button on the software when finished recording and click "File" and "Save As" to open a window on the screen.
9. Type a name for the recording and click the triangle button next to "Save as File Type." Choose .WAV and clik "OK" to save the recording to the laptop hard drive under the chosen name.
Tags: recording software, audio recording, audio recording software, hard drive, Record button, recording click, recording software computer