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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?
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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags |
#2
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I'm interested in this also. I think it was the CLKman who was doing this in the past.
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#3
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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).
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Erich Loepke 2010 Ford Focus Currently Benz-less |
#4
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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. |
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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. |
#6
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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.
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You're a daisy if you do. __________________________________ 84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold 04 Honda Element AWD 1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler 1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting |
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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!!
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Current: 2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles. 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's). Past: 2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13. 1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07. 1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06. 1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation. 1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver. |
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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.
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#9
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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.
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83 SD 84 CD |
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Quote:
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Quote:
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Palangi 2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz 2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser 2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg 2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE 0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE |
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^ (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!
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83 SD 84 CD |
#13
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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.
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#14
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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.
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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone. |
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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.
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Erich Loepke 2010 Ford Focus Currently Benz-less |
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