converting LP records into MP3's via USB / Firewire anyone?

[Scott Hay]

Has anyone got any experience doing this? I know Newmark makes a USB turntable, but there are a lot of other ways to do this it seems and I'd like to avoid buying a new turntable since i have a nice one - plus the reviews aren't that great on the Newmark's.

I know you can get RCA to USB cables - any experience with a good software interface and cable brand for that method that delivers solid sound quality?

I have quite a bit of vinyl that I'd like to get onto my ipod, so it being an efficient process is important to me as well.

I use Mac 10.5

thanks in advance for any feedback or input from personal experience.

peace

[Jack Stoner]

There are a lot of posts on the forum (mostly in the Computer section) on how to do this with a PC.

I don't know about a MAC other than you can't go directly from a standard audio Turntable to the PC unless the Turntable has a built in RIAA preamplifier (and very few have this). If you have a stereo with a "phono" input then it has the RIAA equalization/preamp built in and you can then use a "Recording" output from the stereo. Otherwise you will have to purchase an RIAA preamp (a standard preamp or mixer board will not do) in order to connect it directly to a PC's audio in.

I think most MAC's have built in recording software.

[Ulf Edlund]

If you have a stereo with a "phono" input then it has the RIAA equalization/preamp built in and you can then use a "Recording" output from the stereo.

I get the feeling that this is overlooked sometimes.
It seems a lot of people go out and by special "vinyl to CD" gear when they could just hook up the computer to the stereo.

[Scott Hay]

I get the feeling that this is overlooked sometimes.
It seems a lot of people go out and by special "vinyl to CD" gear when they could just hook up the computer to the stereo.

That's what I'm trying to avoid. Obviously I'll need an RCA Audio to USB cable - but they range in price from $7 to $50 - so I'm wondering if anyone has had experience using more than one and has a recommendation based on that. I could use Garage Band to record it to - But GB is kind of a pain if you ask me.

[Ron Wright]

I have and use a ION USB turntable works great ,comes with the soft ware needed to look up titles and albums. converts into Itunes as well and is not very exspensive ..RW

[Ronnie Boettcher]

I just ran 2 RCA cables, from my stereo OUT, to a "Y" type connector that has 2 RCA females, and goes to a stereo 1/8 inch male, then plugged it into the computer sound card audio in. Then use the declicking, and the noise filters to clean up the scratchy sound of the vinyl, if it is noticable.

[Chip Fossa]

I ran RCA cables from the "out" on the back of an older Kenwood receiver and also "Y'd" it down to the "in" on the PCs soundcard. I use a Technics direct drive SLQD33 turntable, that has a new stylus on it.

All the audio is captured through Goldwave, using 'line-in' setting.

It works real well.

All this was put together with all my old stuff just hangin' around. I didn't even have to buy patch cords.

On some recordings, if the pops and scratches isn't too bad, I just leave 'em in. Lends a bit of nostalgia to an 'oldie'. Plus, the more pops/scratches you take out, the more your overall sound/fidelity is diminished. Nothing is free.

[Michael Haselman]

Ditto the last 2 posts. I've done this with dozens of my LPs. Turntable-Marantz receiver-tape out to computer line in with the right adaptors. Plenty of free download programs, I like CD Wave Editor. Very basic, but very useful. Also check the Behringer UCA202 U-Control. Audio in, USB out. I think it may work also. Only about $30.

[Alden Speirs]

Here is a low budget method, Using good old turntable from storage with good pickup etc. I Picked up a stereo receiver at flea market ($2.00) with blown output (no speaker sound) and used the tape outputs thus getting pre-amp for pickup, then put a 12 channel EQ in line for filtering scratches etc. into a "Y" (RCA stereo to 1/8" stereo jack to computer. Then used Old Music Match software to input.

[Tony Glassman]

You need a preamp that has built-in RIAA curve equalization, between the turntable and computer for decent vinyl fidelity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

I bought the below listed combo and it works perfectly! .......EZ hook-up.......total cost approx $65.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... reamp.html

http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=6654

[J. Michael Robbins]

I am wanting to do the same thing with some vinyl LP's as well as some cassette tapes. I was thinking about trying to record directly to one of those little Sony stereo digital voice recorders using an RCA cord, and then downloading to PC for burning onto a CD. Is this a bad idea?

Thanks,

Mike

[Mikey Phillips]

Hey guys,
I have purchased a product called DAK from the net that appears to have lots of bells and whistles for doing this. You can do any thing you want like separating tracks on cassettes, noise clicks etc. I haven't got to use mine yet, but for less than $80.00 it seems like it would be worth all the hassle. Google DAK and check it out.

[Karlis Abolins]

I bought one of these a while back and have no problems. You still need the appropriate RCA to 1/8 cable (the IPod cable) to connect it to your sound card's line in jack. But $20 is about as low as you can go without hooking it up to your stereo.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=187200



Karlis

[Brian McGaughey]

If you have a stereo with a "phono" input then it has the RIAA equalization/preamp built in and you can then use a "Recording" output from the stereo. Otherwise you will have to purchase an RIAA preamp (a standard preamp or mixer board will not do) in order to connect it directly to a PC's audio in.

True. You could use something like THIS. I've got an oldie RIAA pre-amp from radio shack years ago that comes in handy every now and again.

I know you can skip the pre-amp but you won't hear the sound recordings how they were meant to be heard because there is a unique EQ put on the recording in order to keep the needle in the groove! The pre-amp brings up the ranges that were cut prior to pressing the vinyl.

Edited to say that Karlis' solution is even cheaper.

Inerestingly, I used to have a monoural Bogen hifi amp that had a selector switch for different eq curves used on vinyl records before the RIAA curve became standard. (I'm not that old, I was 6 when I had it!).

[Tony Glassman]

You need a preamp that has built-in RIAA curve equalization, between the turntable and computer for decent vinyl fidelity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

I bought the below listed combo and it works perfectly! .......EZ hook-up.......total cost approx $65.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... reamp.html

http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=6654

I just wanted to say that I bought that same Rolls RIAA preamp to use with
my MacBook. It works great.