Non Political--vinyl-to-digital question
 

I think I'd like to digitalize (?) my vinyl records. Don't ask " What are records!"

What products, both hardware and software have you experience with, and what would you recommend?

I'm interested in this also. I think it was the CLKman who was doing this in the past.

What sort of record playing equipment do you already have? You'll need some sort of phono preamp to be able to connect a turntable to the computer; that could simply be an amplifier or receiver with a PHONO input. The output from a phono cartridge is too weak for standard line-level inputs and also requires equalization hence the need for a phono stage.

You should be able to get good results from an add-on sound card. I never got good sound from the on-board sound chips. I recommend an audiophile or pro sound card (like the E-MU 0404 for example), something made with audio quality in mind.

For software I simply use the free Audacity audio software.

If you start with clean records in good condition you should not have to do much if any "clean up" with the audio software. About the only thing I do is use the high pass filter set at 20Hz to reduce subsonic garbage from rumble and warps (this is done in the software after the file has been recorded).

Technics SL20 turntable connected to a Technics AV Control Stereo Receiver SA-AX6 coupled with a Technics Digital sound processor SH-AC500D.

Do I bypass the sound processor and take the signal directly from the receiver or leave the processor in the loop? I don't know if there would be any gain from a "plain" stereo input being blended through the processor.

ION Turntable

It certainly isn't state of the art, but it's inexpensive, convenient and produced fine results for me. Audacity audio software is included.

Dead simple. I have an AudioTechnica USB turntable. I upgraded the stylus cartridge that it came with to a slightly better one. It has a built in preamp so there's no need for one. It plugs directly into my Mac. Total cost about 150 bucks. I record using Audacity (freeware) or if I want to get fancy I use Logic Express or GarageBand.
I've digitized about half my LP's, including a lot of 60-70's vintage Deutsche-Grammophon and Blue Note recordings with little or no discernible degradation in quality. Sometimes, I want to preserve the vinyl ambience in the digital copy but if I want to clean up and "improve" a piece that's possible too. Audacity has a very good noise removing feature that's a bit wonky but once you figure it out it works really well and doesn't clip the highs too much taking out clicks and pops.
You can spend a lot of dough doing this, but for average listening I don't see the benefit, other than bragging rights. For the most part, my goals were to make backup copies of albums and get selected tracks into my iTunes library.

I've been planning to do something like this for years too. Good to know the info here.

I recently hooked up all my nice analog equipment to run through system in my family room. Now all movies and television are heard through the digital THX system but all music can be heard through my Carver magnetic field amplifier. Nice!!

Get a good turntable, that is the main deciding factor with the sound quality if you already have decent digital hardware. I have pro recording equipment so I basically hook the audio out of the turntable to two tube preamps, then into a mixer and into my computer. Turntable was the big bottleneck as it was old and not very good. If you're looking for simplicity, the USB turntables are the way to go.

I was in the market to get something to transfer vhs tapes to dvd, the hardware/software included also does lp's or cassette tape.

The hardware is simply a three rca and s-video to a usb plug.

I haven't tried any audio, just vhs tapes, after jumping through some hoops, works fine.

How many tapes? Personally, I would just toss 'em and buy DVDs. Quality will be better and more importantly, they're widescreen. Transfer tapes, and you're stuck with 4x3. A lot of the vinyl I transferred was no longer available -- in any format.

I second that.... Not fancy, but it is very simple and it works well.

^ (GermanStar) Over 100, not all will be transfered and factory stuff is encrypted, so that leaves out a handful.
I used to tape off tv often.
Home movies can be transfered too and I have enough tapes I want to keep for a long time and figure vhs machines won't be around much longer. When this unit fails, 'll SOL.
My tv is still 4:3, so classify me as a dinosaur!

Well, if you're living in a 4x3 world, no troubles then. As long as the format fits the box you're in good shape. :)

Best way is to get an awesome turn table and have it input directly into the microphone input on your computer.

Use a program like Audacity to record directly. You will have a giant MP3 file which will need to be broken up and saved individually.

I have some great plugins for Pro Tools that do an incredible job removing the vinyl popping noise. The name is Izotrop. http://www.izotope.com/

If you're willing to fork over a lot of $$$$ for Pro Tools, this program will make all of your music sound like you downloaded it off of iTunes.

Connecting a turntable to the MIC input really won't work since the records were not cut "flat". Without the corrective EQ the sound will be all treble and no bass. Not to mention the input impedance of the sound card MIC input may not be optimum for a phono cartridge. I suppose the corrective EQ could be done by the audio software somehow...

Beyond that, buy the best turntable and cartridge your budget allows. That will more than anything determine the ultimate sound quality your digital copies will have. Don't hesitiate to buy a decent used turntable as you can often find high quality stuff for not much money. If you do that, be sure to replace either the stylus or cartridge unless you know for sure the one on the table is good.