Topic: Vinyl to Digital

[lindy]

Totally non-musical question for a group that includes a lot of computer geeks.

I'm tired of lugging around my boxes of vinyl from apartment to apartment. I've successfully weeded out all the Rod Stewart, Loggins and Messina, and Concert for Bangladesh LPs, now I want to convert all the good stuff to digital.

So far I've used two software programs: Final Vinyl and SoundStudio3 with my MacBook. I've tried going direct from a turntable into my computer (via iMic, an older type if that makes any difference), and the levels are absurdly low. Then I've tried going through my amplifier and it pins the input level meter to the wall. I've worked with the input controls of the two programs and can achieve what looks like normalcy in terms of level, but whatever I record sounds like hell when I play it back.

It may be that the software is fine but I just need some advice on setting preferences. Or I might benefit from a different piece of hardware or another software program. All suggestions and advice welcomed, magic bullets preferred.

Thanks,
Lindy

[dj]

You don't want to send the output from your turntable through your amp, you want to send it through a phono pre-amp to raise the signal to a reasonable level before it goes into your computer.  You should be able to get one at radio Shack, or maybe Best Buy.  Or a good audio store, if there are any of those left.

[Lyle Lofgren]

If you have a receiver that has a phono input, it has an internal pre-amp, so the "line out" from the receiver would be at the right level for digitizing. If you don't have a receiver with a phono input, how did you listen to the vinyl before you decided to digitize?

Lyle

[eric]

Hi,

I'm going through this process with my lps, tapes and 78s.  My solution is probably is more than you need, so I'll leave that for last.  You need a couple of things.  An LP cartridge's signal is to weak to go directly into a sound card which is why your levels are low.  So you need a preamp.  You can get very cheap battery powered preamps that will work.  Second, the preamp must be able to apply an RIAA equalization curve to the signal from the record.  Every LP after 1954 is recorded with this curve so that the the high frequencies and low frequencies sound good.  (A lot more to this, but its not important, as long as as the preamp applies the curve.)  Probably the simplest solution for you is a turntable made specifically for your purpose, and there are several out there that are pretty cheap.

I use a computer with a high quality sound card, a preamp made for the purpose and DC7 software so I can produce high quality wave files and burn CDs.  I got all this stuff from Tracer Technology http://www.tracertek.com/.  Anyway, hope that helps.

[banjochris]

You don't want to send the output from your turntable through your amp, you want to send it through a phono pre-amp to raise the signal to a reasonable level before it goes into your computer.  You should be able to get one at radio Shack, or maybe Best Buy.  Or a good audio store, if there are any of those left.

I bought mine at Guitar Center -- lots of stores carry them, but mostly online-only. That is the only plug from Guitar Center you will probably ever hear from me.

[Norfolk Slim]

Ive had perfectly decent results just putting the line out from my stereo into the sound card and capturing with audacity (a free multi track audio recorder program).  I wonder whether the onboard sound on a macbook is up to the job?

[lindy]

Thanks for all the responses.

Lyle--I did try running the line through my receiver, which I called "my amplifier" in my post. I don't think the signal from the turntable goes through a low-wattage preamp in my Technics SA-111 receiver, which is why the signal is too hot. The weird thing is that I cannot reduce the strength of the signal via SoundStudio's input level pot/fader, even when I slide it down to zero.

Everyone else, looks like a trip to Radio Shack is in my future. Thanks again for the simple tip.

Lindy

[Stuart]

When I first went this route, I used the line out jacks from my receiver and ran it directly into my sound card. Then I went from the turntable through a preamp (I bought it from http://www.phonopreamps.com/) to the sound card. Both worked just fine, but I wanted to eliminate the intermediate steps that go along with using computer software. So I bought a Sony CD recorder and record CDs right from the turntable or cassette deck. I have a Sony RCD-W500C, but the Teac RW-880 is a little cheaper and has had good reviews:

http://www.teac.com/consumer_electronics/cd_players_&_recorders/cd-rw880/

http://www.jr.com/teac/pe/TEA_CDRW880/

[Parlor Picker]

The answer's simple: ditch the Rod Stewart, etc. as planned then get a decent turntable and listen to your music in its full glory - not digitally reduced.

I'm always on the look-out to replace CDs with clean vinyl.

All right, before you all kick off - I know I'm weird.

[Norfolk Slim]

The problem I find with turntables is that the needle skips every time I go round a corner or hit a bump in the road.

[Richard]

Go for it PP nice to know decent turntables live    I have also discoverd the good old Garrard SP25 turntables from the 60-70s make brilliant 78 decks - beware the autochanger though   

And, then came the even more brilliant discovery that a lead from the amp straight into ye faithful Edirol RO9 (or Zoooooommmm or whatever) makes perfect mp3s on an SD card without having to link it all together into the nearest computer.

[lindy]

I'm always on the look-out to replace CDs with clean vinyl.

All right, before you all kick off - I know I'm weird.

Not weird at all, PP. I've got a good turntable, and I plan to keep my favorite lp's--my treasured Hot Fives and Hot Sevens, Budapest Quartet Beethoven, Stuff Smith and Herb Ellis (who just passed this week, rest in peace, Herb). But one of my many weirdnesses is that I live a bicoastal lifestyle between Seattle and New Orleans, and the portability of mp3s and iPods is perfect for that.

But I need enlightenment about the RO9, Richard. You just connect it directly to your amp/receiver, really? And you use the RO9 to separate the vinyl tracks into individual mp3 tracks? And do you use the SD cards for storage, and then make mp3 copies for use with an iPod or other listening device? No need to burn CD backups for storage? Or do you use the RO9 for as the listening device, with the ability to hook it up to good quality speakers for home use or plug it into a car system? Another weirdness of mine: the fewer gadgets in my life, the better. If the Edirol gadget means I don't have to get an mp3 listening gadget, good.

Lindy

(ps, since this really is a non-music topic, feel free to pm this info.)

[Richard]

As I'm back here so soon, maybe in the interests of others I'll give you the info as I have it!

I discovered by accident when playing back from the R09 that I could record as well. All I use is a mini stero jack into the line-in socket straight from the amp, you will obviously have to find the right output from your amp but it works brilliantly. I record each 78 and\or LP track as a seperate mp3. I have to admit I am very slowly working up sell some 78s, moving them is a killer and we are going back to England in a couple of years.

The R09 uses SD cards and in this instance I tend to use those almost as CDs since my el-cheapo ?4.99 (but quite brilliant mp3 player) takes them and they are so easy to copy to computer for making CDs etc.

I have used th R09 as an mp3 player, but to be honest it's bit big for the pocket. However, it will happily function as a player connected to a system from it's transformer asit's a touch battery hungry for long periods. As regards using it for recording it's a fantastic bit of kit - I use it for catching live bands, weenies or just my own stuff . The thing about is that it is so simple to use with nice easy controls

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=757

I bought mine when they were first out so if the current price now frightens you there is also the cheaper Zoom range, you'd think I was on commission I am that impressed!

Anything else do ask.

[Mr.OMuck]

for cars

[Richard]

Wow, a highway hi-fi pornogragh