• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Vinyl to MP3 (and ultimately CD)

A

akshatp

Diamond Member
There are a few options I can think of:

1. Existing turntable -> Sound Card Input -> MP3 -> CD

or

2. USB Turntable -> MP3 -> CD

Obviously the turntable cuts out a step, but can anyone advise me on the best way to go about performing this task. My dad has a bunch of vinyl records he wants to convert and I want to give him the option which will get him the best final product (quality wise).

Anyone have any recommendations on a USB turntable?

Thanks in advance
 
I've done the first method. I suppose it would depend on the quality of your sound card input' line in and the turntable as well.

Here's a question...why go from MP3 to CD instead of CD to MP3...unless you plan on making a MP3 CD.
 
He wants them on regular CD's that he can play in any CD player. Is there a way to go from usb turntable directly to CD? I wasnt aware of one.
 
Originally posted by: akshatp
He wants them on regular CD's that he can play in any CD player. Is there a way to go from usb turntable directly to CD? I wasnt aware of one.
Click to expand...

Record to an uncompressed or lossless format->copy to CD->compress to MP3
 
Alesis Masterlink ML-9600, Hagtech The Ripper, or Pro-ject Debut III USB turntable are all high end products that should produce quite nice results.

Audacity is a freeware program for ripping, or you can use Garage Band if you are Mac centric.

 
Originally posted by: mshan
Alesis Masterlink ML-9600, Hagtech The Ripper, or Pro-ject Debut III USB turntable are all high end products that should produce quite nice results.

Audacity is a freeware program for ripping, or you can use Garage Band if you are Mac centric.
Click to expand...

But, if you have an excellent turntable, and a good soundcard, I would imagine you should get better results than with a usb turntable, unless a truly great one is available. The best results are probably going to begin with the best analog signal from the record itself, followed by the best analog to digital conversion. To me, usb turntables seem more like a convenience than the way to get the best possible results.
 
Take a look at http://www.dak.com/ DAK Industries.
I purchased their little pre-amp, which came with superb software, great instructions, and customer support.

You can copy to your PC, as WAV or MP3 files, and convert between the two. The software allows you to separate the LP into individual tracks to copy to a CD as single tracks (with text) or as an entire file for the LP side.
 
Just a little note from my experience. If you want your CD's to play on older CD players, which some don't support CD-RW or newer CD formats, record to CD-Rs only and don't record at max speed. In my limited experience, CD-Rs and slower record speeds help with broader compatibility with CD players.
 
I use an Extigy external USB sound card, to get the A to D conversion away from the EMI problems inside my PC. (Extigy fed by Technics SL-D2 turntable, through Luxman L-309 integrated amplifier)
 
Depends on what you have for records, how dirty, how damaged, and how good they were to start with.

Clean the vinyl.
Extract the music.
Filter artifacts.
Encode for storage.

Sound card inputs I don't see as a weak link, but some are better than others. The analog vinyl playback system are where huge differences in quality exist, table, cartridge, and preamp. Much of the audiophile stuff is baloney, but all of the really good vinyl systems I've heard have been $5k or more without amps or speakers.

Find out where and when your local audiophile group meets and go and listen. With luck maybe you will find someone in the group that can help you convert at least a few of your best records on good gear.
 
depends if your turn table is good or not
usb turn tables tend to be junk
cheap cartridges=garbage sound not worth recording.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top