WHICH SOUND CARD FOR RECORDING VINYL RECORDS

[RottiKid]

Is there a sound card made that I can use to record my record collection to my hard drive? What I want to do is be able to plug my turntabel directly ino the sound card. Are there any sound cards made that have a built in phono input with full size RCA's? Is it possible to do this without a preamp for the turntable? If I do need a preamp can I use my hafler preamp without the amp. I would lmuch rather be able to go direct to the sound card. Also any good easy to use software programs to edit and clean up the hiss and pops on the recordings? Are there any programs available to get the album art work. Thanks so much for all you help. I am pretty knew to computers. At the moment I am using on board sound and I have NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI motherboard.

 

[Crotulus]

I've been using a Behringer U-Control UCA202 usb audio interface to bring audio into my lap top. I run a set of RCA's off of my phono amp directly to the Behringer unit. I believe that the software available (Audacity) will perform the RIAA equalization but I don't think they recommend doing it through software.

You can then burn to a CD from Audacity but I transfer that file into Audio Cleaning Lab by Magix. I find it a bit easier to use and can remove any hiss or pops (if there are any).

I've gotten pretty good resultys with this set up. Previously I would run off the phono amp directly into the desktop with a Creative Audigy soundcard. The long run and rca to minijack plug made to much noise to my liking. The only downside to the Behringer unit is that you have to listen to what you are recording through the headphone. It will not pass the audio through to the computers speakers.

 

[mshan]

Cheap, but very musical: Audio Technica AT-PL50 (under $70 from Buy.com on eBay)

More expensive, more entry level audiophile oriented: Pro-ject Debut USB (I think it's about $400 but includes phono preamp and digital converter with usb output)

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/...-vinyl-digital-325575/

 

[Harvey]

I'm an audio design engineer specializing in the black art of analog circuitry. Standard moving magnet phono cartridges are high impedance devices. That mandates a short cable run from the tone arm to the phono preamp.

A phono preamp is a low noise circuit that boosts the signal and provides the standard RIAA equalization curve and outputs a nominal line level signal suitable to feed into your sound card.

If you're not too picky, and you can find a decent stereo that still has a phono input, you can use the line output. If you're handy enough with a solder iron, the best phono preamp ciruit I know would be a variation of the circuit in Fig. 3 of this National Semiconductor application note, AN-346. I would use a different op-amp, change a couple of resistor values in the second stage and add a couple of other components for lower noise and better stability.

If you're really interested, PM, and I'll give you the changes I would make.

Originally posted by: Crotulus

I've been using a Behringer U-Control UCA202...

Side issue. NEVER buy Behringer products! They make some good ones, but many of them are rip offs of product designs stolen from other manufacturers, including Mackie, Roland and my old employer, Aphex Systems.

In the early 80's, I designed a number of products as Chief Engineer of Aphex Systems. One of Behringer's first rip offs was one of my designs, the Aphex Aural Exciter Type B. I "signed" my circuit board design with a heart logo. Behringer's idea of "creative" product development was to photocopy the entire circuit board, including my heart logo.

I know Uli Behringer, personally. He's a thief who still owes me over $10,000 from yet another of his skanky maneuvers.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: RottiKid
Is there a sound card made that I can use to record my record collection to my hard drive?

Pretty much any onboard sound/sound card will do that, but you'll have to use a preamp. As far as quality is concerned, the sky's the limit.

Your recording setup will depend on what your listening setup is. It doesn't make much sense to spend $500 on recording if you're going to be recording from a $99.98 turntable and listening on $49.98 computer speakers/headphones.

 

[RottiKid]

No my listening setup is pretty good Lexicon MC1 surround sound processor, Hafler pre amp for Dennon turntable, Englitened Audio Design CD player 7.1 speaker set up Definitive Technology Speakers and Amps PS Audio 200x2, Aragon 200x3 and Acurus 200x3. Sound quality is really important. After I record the albums to my computer I will also make cd for down stairs stereo and for truck. What sound card do you recommand. Thanks for all your help.

 

[mshan]

If you already own a turntable you like, how about the Hagtech "The Ripper"?: http://hagtech.com/ripper.html

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Harvey

Side issue. NEVER buy Behringer products! They make some good ones, but many of them are rip offs of product designs stolen from other manufacturers, including Mackie, Roland and my old employer, Aphex Systems.

In the early 80's, I designed a number of products as Chief Engineer of Aphex Systems. One of Behringer's first rip offs was one of my designs, the Aphex Aural Exciter Type B. I "signed" my circuit board design with a heart logo. Behringer's idea of "creative" product development was to photocopy the entire circuit board, including my heart logo.

I know Uli Behringer, personally. He's a thief who still owes me over $10,000 from yet another of his skanky maneuvers.

Don't they all do it though? More and more gear is made in China and lots of pros will tell you the Chinese mixers (Mackie) just aren't as good. (I'm an Allen & Heath / Dynacord junkie myself. )

EDIT:

OP: Best bet is use the best phono preamp possible (make sure the EQ is correct) and record with an external interface running either on USB2.0 or Firewire. Presonus, Edirol, Motu, Event, etc. are good brands. M-Audio is also decent albeit more entry level.

Also if your PC has a non intel chipset you may have some issues with audio hardware. Texas Instruments is the recommended 1394 controller for firewire. VIA based firewire controllers will have issues with some products. (namely clicking and dropouts, etc.)

 

[Oyeve]

I just have my receiver plugged into my x-fi's line in and play my records and just capture the sound. Probably the best way, IMO, as the less stuff in-between the I/O the better. After I create the unadulterated WAV to mp3 I just auto-tag via Winamp.