Transferring vinyl to digital

[topdogya]

Hi Guys,
I really need some help, I want to transfer some of my vinyl records on to my laptop and then move the files over to a Hi Res mp3 player, the problem I have is my laptop has no line in jack.

What would be best to use, to buy a 2nd turn table with a USB port or, line out from my preamp into a USB sound card plugged in to a USB port on the laptop?
Has anyone had this problem before, what did you use or recommend also what transfer program to use on a PC laptop.

Many thanks
Steve.

[montesquieu]

USB turntables are universally shit.

Use your normal turntable and the fixed output (tape out) from your preamp, connected to the input of an analogue to digital converter, preferably one with a USB connection that will feed the digital output to your laptop, which you can then capture, slice and dice and clean up if need be with a program like Audacity.

I use the HRT Linestreamer featured here ... it's been discontinued but there are many newer options.

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/analog-digital-converter-files-identified-converters-profiled

[struth]

It all depends on budget really. Audacity used to be free but it's not as good as vinyl studio pro.
If u have a tt etc then some sort of adc is needed. Or a usb tt.
I use a phono stage that also digitizes. It's not cheap tho but between the 2 I get good results fairly easily.

[Sherwood]

I have one of these and can recommend it strongly. One interesting feature is that one can switch off RIAA equalisation and apply eq in a software package.

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAZPHOUSB

[mikmas]

Rega Phono Mini - USB and line output ... easy set up and does a great job (MM only)

... about £99 new or half that used on eBay.

Audacity has great features and is free ... but also quite laborious.
You can also apply RIAA in software such as Audacity - but is generally pants.

[Johnny nocash]

Has anyone used 'Golden records vinyl to cd' software?

[struth]

Has anyone used 'Golden records vinyl to cd' software?Yup I used it years ago. Can't remember the cost. It was OK, and a bit easier than audacity.

[Audio Al]

Transferring vinyl to digital :eek:

Why on earth would you need to do that :doh:

Download the tracks you want onto your laptop from the internet , then when you really want to hear music use your record player :D

Just my vinyl thoughts :)

[Edward]

... and then move the files over to a Hi Res mp3 player ...



Steve, whatever solution you land on please do not save the files as MP3. Save at minimum 16bit 44.1khz. Ideally higher. If your MP3 player only takes MP3 files then downsample to MP3 but keep original files at a higher resolution.

If it just a few albums you want to digitise then, as Audio Al suggests, download them from the internet. Will be cheaper and altogether less hassle.

[topdogya]

I mostly only ever play vinyl at home as I have a large collection record’s and quite a good set up, and love the warm sound that vinyl gives.

The only reason I am looking at transferring some of my vinyl to digital is that my Dr has advised me to do more walking and exercise Lol, so my wife is getting me a Sony Walkman for Christmas.

[mbic]

This is what I use; https://www.cfbsoftware.com/lprecorder/lprecorder.htm very simple to use. You will need their track splitting software, LP Ripper.
LP Recorder is available as a trial.
You will need a ADC too.

[OldRecordLover]

I spend a lot of time doing this - for those who are interested, here's my method.


Clean disc with record cleaning machine (Loricraft PRC4 (https://loricraftaudio.co.uk/product/prc-4/))
Record disc (Garrard 401>Denon amp>PC) using Audacity
Save each side as a WAV
Clean WAV using ClickRepair (https://clickrepair.net/noise/intermittent_noise.html)
Open WAV in Audacity - if it contains more than one track (one side of an LP/EP, for example), split it into individual tracks
"Top & tail" each track by fading in/out the silences at the beginning and end of the track
Check for any remaining audible scratches etc and repair if possible
Normalise volume
Save edited WAV

[scotty38]

This reminds me of copying VHS cassettes to a DVD Recorder when I first got one, putting in titles, removing adverts and the like. It got very old very quickly and I applaud anyone with the dedication to put themselves through this :-)

[struth]

I use vinyl studio pro, and enjoy its features and ease of use. never could work audacity well.

[OldRecordLover]

This reminds me of copying VHS cassettes to a DVD Recorder when I first got one, putting in titles, removing adverts and the like. It got very old very quickly and I applaud anyone with the dedication to put themselves through this :-)
Ha...yes, I never tackled that. Bought an integrated VHS>DVD recorder but since the tapes were much longer than a DVD, it was a real pain. At some point, I ought to try to hook up the machine to my PC to record directly onto the HD, but honestly, I'd much rather play around with records. :)


I use vinyl studio pro, and enjoy its features and ease of use. never could work audacity well.
Never seen that program before - looks interesting. When I switched from CoolEdit Pro to Audacity, it took me a bit of time to get the hang of it but now it's second nature for (mostly) capturing, editing and saving audio. For cleaning up scratched records, ClickRepair is excellent, IMO.

[floppybootstomp]

I'm using one of These (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-U-PHORIA-UMC202-Computer-Interface/dp/B00FFIGZR4/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=behringer+UMC202&qid=1576782455&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-5) A Behringer UMC202 to rip vinyl to WAV or mp3 with dbPoweramp (the earlier free version with Aux module) and I'm very pleased with it. It also works fine using Audacity free software.

There's a cheaper Behringer model, the UMC22 which I believe uses a lower sampling rate than the 202.

Prior to the Behringer I used a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 which cost more and packed up 14 months after purchase, just out of warranty.

[OldRecordLover]

Is there an advantage to using one of those sort of units rather than a regular amp? What's the difference?

[Ianmac]

Ive use a Focusrite Scarlet with Audacity and get very good results. I do take my time ensuring the record is as clean as I can get it.

The Focusrite has issues,.
Electronic performance is good but it is extremely difficult to get the same stereo channel balance as the original recording.
The level control knobs are tiny, far too small for the job they are designed to do. I made larger knobs which helped a bit but still nowhere near accurate enough.
I am currently using the focusrite with the level knobs at max position and a pre attenuator using an ALPS 2 channel potentiometer. I am getting close to an "as recorderd" stereo image.
I need to get into the focusrite and remove the level pots and replace them with high tolerance fixed resistors to work with my attenuator.

Anyone beeen inside the focusrite or even have some circuit diagrams ??