Updated 4/20/2021
How much do you LOVE your music?
For most of us, it’s not just a bunch of CDs and MP3s. It’s the soundtrack of our lives. And when you have something that important, you want to make sure that it’s around, safe and sound for a long, long time.
So let’s take a few minutes, grab that music collection of yours and back it up for safekeeping. And who knows? You might even be able to put that amazing vinyl jazz solo you love, on your smartphone!
1. Back Up Your MP3s
Do you have MP3 or other digital music files on your computer, smartphone or other devices?
On your PC or Mac, create a folder called “Backup Music (dd/mm/yy)” using today’s date.
Grab all of your devices and take a few moments to download, send or save all of your MP3s (or other digital music files) to your computer. Then put all of those MP3s into the backup folder.
Locate all of the digital music on your computer’s hard drive. Leaving the originals where they are, make copies of the music folders and place them into the backup folder.
2. Deal With CDs, Cassettes & Vinyl Albums
Gather all your CDs, Vinyl Albums and Cassettes and set them on a nearby table.
Although all of your music is important, some means more to you than others.
Separate your CDs, cassettes and vinyl albums into two piles.
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Pile One: Music you love that you want to copy and preserve digitally for safekeeping.
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Pile Two: Music that you:
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A) Already have in MP3 format.
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B) Have numerous copies of the album in other locations (double check that this is true).
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C) Simply don’t care about preserving.
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Go ahead and put the music in pile two back where you found it.
3. Convert Your CDs to MP3s
Convert the CDs to MP3s using Windows Media Player (for PCs) or Audacity for Mac. Just pop in the CD into your computer, open the software and follow the instructions.
Once they’re ripped, save copies of each album to the regular music folder on your computer and to your new backup folder.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to download your favorite songs to your iPod or smartphone.
4. Convert Your Cassettes & Albums to MP3s
Here are a few easy ways we’ve found to convert your cassettes or albums to MP3s.
There are several vinyl album to MP3 recorders available including the ION Audio Premier LP Turntable Vinyl Record Player. The nice thing about that one is that it converts cassettes and vinyl to CD or to MP3s. And if you only have cassettes to convert, there is the Reshow Cassette Player MP3 Converter.
Once you’ve saved copies of your cassettes and vinyl albums, save them to the regular music folder on your computer, to your new backup folder and don’t forget to put your favorites on your smartphone or MP3 player.
And while you’re at it, how about helping mom, dad, grandma or grandpa preserve their old albums while you’re at it. An MP3 player or new iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy full of their favorite songs would make a GREAT gift!
5. Backing Up Your Music For Safe Keeping
Since we’ve been talking about preserving your music, once you’ve got it all backed up, it only makes sense to keep it safe and sound.
So save a copy of your Backup Music folder onto a flash drive or a portable hard drive and place it in at least two secure, damage-proof locations, away from home for safekeeping.
Here are a few suggestions on places to put it:
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In a watertight Plastic Evacuation Bin.
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In a safe deposit box in your own city.
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In a water/fireproof safe in your own city.
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In a safe deposit in a pre-determined evacuation location
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In a password protected file on Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive or family web site.
High Tech Toys
Here are some of our favorite high-tech tools and toys to help you get all of your favorite photos, music, home videos, movies – and anything else that can be stored digitally – backed up, stored and accessible. Wherever you are. Whatever is going on around you. 24/7.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020
Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger
Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub
Canon PowerShot Wi-Fi Enabled ELPH 190 Digital Camera
ClearClick Video to Digital Converter
Epson Perfection V600 Photo, Film, & Document Scanner
ez Share WiFi SD Card
Fireproof Document Bags
Sentry Fireproof/Waterproof Lateral File Cabinet
SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe
HP Photo Printer All-in-One Wireless Envy 7120
ION Audio Premier LP Turntable Vinyl Record Player
Kodak P570 Personal Photo Scanner
Magnavox VHS to DVD Combo Recorder
Reshow Cassette Player MP3 Converter
Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook
SanDisk 32GB Connect Wireless Stick Flash Drive
SanDisk 32GB iXpand Flash Drive for iPhone and iPad
Sony 4K HD Video Camcorder
Sony HX400V Compact Digital Camera
VuPoint Handheld Magic Wand Portable Scanner
The COVID pandemic has created a new list of toys that people can’t do without — including some very cool high-tech solutions to unexpected challenges. Like staying healthy and working from home! Here are some of our favorites.
Cubii Pro Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine
I’m Smiling On The Inside Face Masks
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer
iProvèn Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
KODAK Luma 150 Pocket Projector
No-Touch Door Opener, Button Pusher Tool
Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor
PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer
Sony Tie-Clip-Style Omnidirectional Microphone
Total Gym APEX G5 Total Body Strength Training
Zacurate Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
For a book’s worth of tips and tools on getting your stuff organized, backed up and together, pick up a copy of our books “Back It Up” and “Write It Down” in paperback or via instant download.
Have Fun Getting Your Stuff Together!
Keep Everything You Love Safe | The Book Inspired By The Blog
Keep Everything You Love Safe, is filled with quick, easy, 5 minute steps you can take right now, to get everything that’s important to you organized, safe, sound and accessible. Each section covers a different area, from backing up and fixing family photos, home movies and music, to vital documents, medical and financial information and even getting your digital life in order. Paperback Or Instant Download
Back It Up
I don’t know about you, but the most important keepsakes in our house are our old family photos, followed closely by our home movies and music. But grabbing piles of photo albums and all your picture frames off the walls is pretty hard to do when you’re running out the door! With Back It Up, you’ll learn quick, easy steps to back up your print/digital photos, home movies, music (including vinyl & cassettes) and save them in multiple, disaster proof locations. Paperback Or Instant Download
