How to Restore and Clean Vinyl Records with Audacity

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Vinyl records have recently made a significant comeback, bringing with them the nostalgia of analog sound. These records can be important in sentimental and monetary terms. However, over time, they can collect dust and develop pops, clicks, and other imperfections that can spoil the listening experience. Fortunately, Audacity, a free and open-source audio editing software, can help restore and clean up these vinyl records, making them sound almost like new. This comprehensive guide delves deep into the step-by-step process of doing so using Audacity.

Understanding vinyl records and their flaws

Vinyl records are physical discs made of polyvinyl chloride plastic. An analog sound recording is embedded in grooves on their surface, which a needle reads on a turntable. Wear, dust accumulation, and scratches on these grooves can cause audio playback to sound like clicks, pops, and hisses. Therefore, cleaning and restoring these records involves both physical and digital methods.

Preparing for reinstallation

Before we get into the detailed process, let's prepare by gathering the necessary tools and installing Audacity.

Required tools:

• A turntable - preferably with a USB output to make recording into your computer easier.
• A computer with Audacity installed. Audacity is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and can be downloaded from the official Audacity website.
• A cleaning kit for vinyl records (for physical cleaning).
• Audio cable or adapter if your turntable doesn't have a USB output.

Installing Audacity:

If you haven't yet downloaded and installed Audacity, start by downloading it. When opened, configure the settings to optimize the input from your turntable.

• Connect your turntable to your computer using a USB cable, or connect via audio cables and adapters as needed.
• Launch Audacity and go to the Preferences section under the Editing tab (or the Audacity tab on a Mac).
• Under Device, set your recording device to the connected input source (such as a USB audio codec).
• Set your recording channel to 2 (stereo) for stereo recording.
• In Quality, set the default sample rate to at least 44100 Hz and the default sample format to 16-bit.
• Click OK to save the preferences.

Physical cleaning of vinyl records

Before digitizing your records, it is often beneficial to physically clean them. A simple cleaning can remove surface dust and dirt that can affect the quality of the recording.

Cleaning steps:

• Gently wipe the surface of the record with an anti-static brush, moving it in a circular motion along the grooves of the record.
• To remove more stubborn dirt, use a vinyl cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth. Apply the solution and wipe gently with the cloth.
• Allow the record to dry completely before playing or digitizing it.

Digitizing vinyl records with Audacity

Now that you've physically cleaned up the record, let's focus on recording audio digitally using Audacity.

Recording steps:

1. Place your clean vinyl record on the turntable and carefully lower the needle.
2. In Audacity, press the record button (red circle) to start recording.
3. Turn on your turntable to play the record.
4. Allow the entire part to play through completely for an uninterrupted recording. Avoid interrupting or stopping the turntable or recording if possible.
5. Once completed, press the Stop button (yellow square) in Audacity.

Cleaning up audio tracks in Audacity

The next step is to clean up the recorded audio using Audacity's tools to remove pops, clicks, hiss, and other imperfections.

Noise removal:

Noise removal involves the removal of unwanted background or ambient noise such as hiss or buzzing.

1. Select a section of the audio track where there is only noise (the quiet part, preferably before the music starts).
2. Go to Effects > Noise Reduction.
3. Click Get Noise Profile to capture the noise signature.
4. Click Ctrl + A (or Cmd + A on a Mac) to select the entire track.
5. Go back to Effects > Noise Reduction.
6. Adjust the noise reduction settings if necessary and click OK. A good starting point is a noise reduction of about 12 dB, a sensitivity of 6.0, and a frequency smoothing of 3.

Removing clicks and pops:

Vinyl records often make clicks and pops due to scratches and dust. Audacity has a tool to solve this problem.

1. Select the part of the audio track you want to clean, or select the entire track.
2. Go to Effects > Click Removal.
3. Adjust the threshold and spike width settings to suit the severity of the click. A lower threshold and narrower width may be necessary for very subtle clicks.
4. Preview and adjust the settings as needed to reduce clicks without affecting the desired audio. Click OK to apply.

Enhance and finalize audio

Once noises, clicks, and pops are reduced or eliminated, further refine and finalize the audio for a better result.

Audio amplification:

Use amplification to make sure the audio is at the correct level for playback.

1. Select the entire track by pressing Ctrl + A (or Cmd + A on a Mac).
2. Go to Effect > Amplify.
3. Adjust the amplification level. Audacity will automatically calculate the maximum amplification without clipping.
4. Click OK to apply.

Audio normalization:

Normalizing the audio keeps the volume level consistent throughout the track.

1. With the entire track selected, go to Effect > Normalize.
2. Set the normalized peak amplitude to around -1 dB for standard use.
3. Click OK to apply.

Exporting the final track:

Once you're satisfied with your edits, export the audio.

1. Go to File > Export > Export as MP3 (or WAV, or any other format you prefer) for compatibility with most players.
2. Select your desired export location and name the file.
3. Adjust the format and quality settings if necessary.
4. Click Save to complete the process.

Conclusion

Digitally restoring and cleaning vinyl records involves both physical preparation and a careful audio editing process. By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide using Audacity, one can effectively neutralize static, reduce clicks and pops, and enhance tracks to breathe new life into old vinyl records. Remember to save your Audacity project for future editing or re-exporting. This guide provides a roadmap for even the most novice user to revive and preserve the beloved sounds of old records to enjoy long into the future.

Whether you're a novice collector or an audiophile looking to immortalize the rich sound of their vinyl records, using Audacity's robust suite of digital audio manipulation tools can help you achieve satisfying results that can enhance your listening experience.

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