USB Turntable

[thalbergmad]

Indeed, me has decided to convert all my old records to MP3's. But what is the best way?

I have seen a few dodgy looking kits for sale on E bay and also some USB turntables, which supposedly does the whole conversion process easily.

If anyone has any experience or advice with converting old records to MP3, please speak now or forever hold thy peace.

Thal

[rhapsody4]

If you have an old record deck, then I would suggest simply using that with a high gain amplifier (which can be bought as small boxes for a small fee from Maplins or such places). Connect the output from that to the analogue in port on your sound card and record using some sound recording software (obviously at a a suitable sampling rate - generally 44.1kHz).

From my experience of doing this a few years ago, the major problem was finding some way of removing the clicks that appear from the vinyl source. I never found any decent software that removed them satisfactorally and often went through manually reducing the volume at the click point for the worst offenders.

As far as USB turntables go, personally I have had no experience of them. However, people I know have used them and been disappointed as the quality of the turntable has been low and they haven't lasted very long.

Hope this helps.

Rhapsody

[bench warmer]

Agree that if you have a suitable record-player, look into perhaps a ZOOM-H4 or ZOOM-H2 recorder instead.

  I have the H4; it will record on an SD-card as either a WAV or MP3 file, your choice.   Not only will it accept "line-in" inputs but also has two very efficient microphones built into the chasis that will do a superb job of capturing all the nuances of your piano or favorite Banjo .
Runs on batteries or AC.  The unit will be seen by your computer as another disk drive when hooked-up thru USB connection. Here's the H4 (& H2) link
https://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1901

I've also used AUDACITY which is free (open software; link below) which does  a pretty good job of removing "clicks" & "pops" in addition to numerous other functions it has.
https://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[bipabew]

I haven't tried a USB turntable so I don't know what they're like.  Right now I just run the output of a Kenwood turntable into a phono preamp and then into a Lexicon Omega for recording.  A program that I use to get rid of clicks and pops is Magix Audio Cleaning Lab.  I have been able to get rid of almost all of the clicks and pops while keeping the clarity in the music.

[thalbergmad]

Some good advice here.

Thanks.

Thal

[pianolearner]

Thal,

Just in case it wasn't highlighted - If you decide to go with a proper high quality turntable (A DJ one or one that usually forms part of a Hi-Fi system) you will need a phono pre-amp because they have a RIAA compensated response. This is very important because records are made with pre-emphasis to even out the size of the high and low frequency grooves. If you don't use a phono pre-amp, your music will lack low frequency response and sound very thin and 'tinny'.

[thalbergmad]

Hmm, sounds a bit complex for my feeble brain

The man from the hifi store in town says he will do it for 5 squid a record. I think i will do this.

Thal