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The process of retrieving information stored on cylinder & disc records and archiving them on CD's has become an easier task in recent years.  While the process can seem overwhelming to the novice, it can be broken down into a few simple steps.  The only criteria is that you have the neccessary hardware. 

If your reading this then there is a good chance you already have the most important piece of equipment - a computer with a sound card.  If you've got speakers attached to your computer, you've got a soundcard.  If your computer lacks a sound card they can be had for under $25.00 and are easy to install. 

The next item is you will need a software program that allows you to record from your line-in or microphone jack on your soundcard.  Windows ships with a utility called Sound Recorder, however it is limited to 60 seconds of recording.  My favorite sound recording / editing utility (and least expensive - FREE!) is  GOLDWAVE. The limitiations built into the 'evaluation' version are rarely noticed.  Specifically the Goldwave software limits you to 150 functions before you must close the program and restart it.  Recording would be a single function, as would saving your file.  Each editing change you make counts as one function.  If all you are doing is recording and saving your files you can do 75 records before you have to restart the program (note:  you do NOT have to restart windows, only close the goldwave program and reopen it).  Of course if you find the program useful I highly recommend you spend the $45.00 to unlock the limitations.  The current version (5.06) recommends a pentium 700 or better.  I've used the previous version (still available on their site) on a pentium 166.

So next we need a way to get the music from your record to your computer. For discussion's sake lets assume you collect 78's and  you have a 'modern' turntable that accepts a standard cartridge (2 mounting screws on top as opposed to P-mount).   You will need a cartridge with a stylus specifically made for 78's (such as our SM-78).  Using a stock LP stylus will result in damage to your record. 

Whether your turntable has a speed setting for 78rpm isn't really important  If it does not, simply record your record at 45rpm then use the Pitch function in the software to compensate.   It's that simple.

To record without an additional preamplifier you will want to connect your turntable to the Mic (or Microphone) input on your sound card.   You will need a cable that will go from 2 rca plugs to a stereo min-plug.  These are readily available at Radio Shack. 

Once you have all the neccessary equipment you only have a few steps to actually perform on your computer.  First you will have to enable your Mic (or Microphone) jack as a recording source.  To do this go to Control Panel (usually START / SETTINGS/CONTROL PANEL) and select SOUNDS AND MULTIMEDIA.  Select the AUDIO tab.  Part way down you will see Sound Recording with a VOLUME button beneath it.  Selecting the VOLUME button will bring up a row of sliders (for setting record levels) with check boxes beneath each one.  Make sure only  box for Microphone is select.  Set the level approx  at approximately 2/3d's.

Now start the Goldwave program.  Select NEW and you will get a pop-up window asking your for duration and quality.   You will need to set the duration for a time that is slightly longer than your recording.  Don't worry about the extra 'silence', you will remove this later.  Click ok.  Select the red record icon, play your record and then select stop after it's done.  Select save and your done...sort of.  At this point you have a raw copy of your recording.  Before your ready to put it on CD you will need to remove the silence from before and after your recording. 

For now I'm going to leave you on your own.  Don't be discouraged. Goldwave has a good tutorial/manual with it to walk you through that process.

More on this subject and a real pictorial step-by-step for cylinder and disc transcriptions coming in the following days...