Turntable Input To PC

[Dan Schultz]

I have a few vinyls I would like to digitize. I'm thinking about picking up a 'junker' turntable. Can I just input my PC through the mic jack? Do I need to be concerned if the turntable has a ceramic or magnetic pickup?

[shovelingtom]

You can get turntables with a USB output specially designed to record onto PCs for less that $100.00 these days. A friend of mine did that, and if I had any vinyl, I'd do the same.

http://www.usbturntables.net/" target="_blank

[TexTuba]

You can also pick one up at your local Best Buy.

[Dan Schultz]

You can get turntables with a USB output specially designed to record onto PCs for less that $100.00 these days. A friend of mine did that, and if I had any vinyl, I'd do the same.

http://www.usbturntables.net/" target="_blank" target="_blank

I've looked at a couple of those set-ups. It appears to me that the input is in mp3 format. Maybe someone with further experience with one can add more info here.

I'm looking at a simple way to get raw data in the form of .wav files into my audio editing software.

[lgb&dtuba]

I have a few vinyls I would like to digitize. I'm thinking about picking up a 'junker' turntable. Can I just input my PC through the mic jack? Do I need to be concerned if the turntable has a ceramic or magnetic pickup?

If the turntable has magnetic pickup, which most do, then you'll need a preamp between it and your pc sound card. Something like this: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=180641" target="_blank

i have that one and it works fine.

[Rick Denney]

Note that the output of turntables is equalized to the RIAA curve, which is different equalization than normal line-level audio. The pre-amp should have a "Phono" input that will convert it to normal equalization. Otherwise, just buy an old, used stereo with pre-amp outputs, or an old, used hi-fi pre-amp, and make sure that what you buy has "Phono" inputs. Then, run audio from the pre-amp or line-level outputs to the line-level ("audio") input on your soundcard.

I have an E-Mu external soundcard with a USB interface to a computer and very well-designed audio interface. I have not tested it to see if it has phono inputs (it does have both balanced and unbalanced microphone inputs), but I can just run it out of my stereo system at line level. It allows me to set levels on the record side to make clean recordings. I keep thinking I will use it to transfer my vinyl collection to CD, but that project keeps getting pushed back.

Rick "recalling that phono signals into regular line-level inputs can sound pretty tinny" Denney

[MikeH]

Like Rick said you could pick up an old stereo tuner to connect the turntable to. I convert LP's, 78's and cassette tapes to MP3 by running a cable from the headphone jack of my tuner to the sound card of my computer and I use Goldwave as the recording program. Goldwave allows me to adjust recording levels and save the files in many different formats including .wav and .mp3. I'm sure there are many other programs you could use as well.

Mike

[Tuba Guy]

I have an Ion turntable that connects with USB. If using Audacity, it usually exports the files in wma, but you can probably also export it in wav.

[iiipopes]

I have an Ion turntable that connects with USB. If using Audacity, it usually exports the files in wma, but you can probably also export it in wav.

This is probably the most efficient solution, even if it means purchasing a new turntable.

I respectfully disagree with running a regular turntable through a conventional RIAA preamp/integrated amp combination like we all used to because of those components adding noise, and possibly not being as "clean" as they could be, or once were. The shortest path through the RIAA eq to the D/A converter, which may even process the RIAA eq digitally rather than analog, is in my opinion a better contemporary solution.

[Dan Schultz]

I have an Ion turntable that connects with USB. If using Audacity, it usually exports the files in wma, but you can probably also export it in wav.

Yes... I use Audacity as my audio editor.

I just bought a ION TTUSB10 turntable for a 'buy it now' of $79.95 including postage. I wasn't going to go the 'package' route but for the bucks I figured I couldn't go wrong.

Thanks for your imput, guys!

[Rick Denney]

I respectfully disagree with running a regular turntable through a conventional RIAA preamp/integrated amp combination like we all used to because of those components adding noise, and possibly not being as "clean" as they could be, or once were. The shortest path through the RIAA eq to the D/A converter, which may even process the RIAA eq digitally rather than analog, is in my opinion a better contemporary solution.

I suppose there is always a software solution. But the noise added by decent stereo stuff of old is insignificant compared to all those pops and clicks. And an $80 turntable isn't going to be exploring the limits of fidelity in any case.

Rick "who already has pretty good analog stuff that still works" Denney

[Steve Marcus]

I haven't used one, but I've read that the Ion USB turntables come bundled with Audacity software. If I understand the claims made on the literature/catalogs, Audacity provides a "pop and click" filter. True? If so, how effective? Is any of the original musical content lost when the filter is engaged? (Years ago, I had an SAE "pop and click" noise filter which, given the year of its manufacture was, of course, analog. It DID cause audible dropouts of the musical content when it was engaged.)

Some of the Ion USB turntables are also bundled with Gracenote software which (on PC, not on Mac) supposedly will identify the recorded material by mere audio recognition and supply all titles, artists, etc., immediately to iTunes so that you don't have to enter that data manually. How effective is this software? Undoubtedly, it would only work with publicly released recordings, not private performances. Right?

[Dan Schultz]

..... I've read that the Ion USB turntables come bundled with Audacity software. ...

I've used Audacity for years. It's freeware. Yes... it has the ability to remove 'click's' and 'pops'... as well as any other noise you want taken out. But... as with any filter, there is some reduction in other details.