Central Ohio members- Anyone have a digital converting turntable?

[kab69440]

I am looking to buy or borrow a digital converting turntable. I want to know it functions as intended. The one I bought off the internet seems to be a wash. I have recently become the proud keeper of a very rare piece of vinyl, and one of the conditions of the sale is that I do everything in my power to get it digitized and return a copy to her.(a  guitarist I admire VERY MUCH! I don't want to let her down!)  
Anyone own one, and have advice for me?  Anyone willing to let me use theirs? I would prefer something that burns directly to CD or to an SD card. Thank you, Kenny

[Nacho-RT74]

you can get a digital converter like some EMU around ( 1616 is one example what I has in hands in fact ) what it has a PHONO provision to get it into the PC with a PCI slot provided by the converter to his own port ( like a LAN port but diff protocol ), but also SPDIF output to maybe plug into any receiver with same port ( haven't tried but will check the manual )... used converters are in $150-200 rate.



there is also a laptop version with PCMCIA card included



the advantage of this device is the 24bits dinamic range and the 196 Khz sample rate with not any equipment is able to give.

This is the only converter I'm aware with PHONO provision.

these ones are coming down in prices due some new models being USB, and the popularity of M-AUDIO products asociated to pro tools software. I got one recently, very cheap, just for this phone provision ( I'm a Vinyl fan, not only on car roofs LOL ) but I'm aware I'll be really soon if not already outdated with this device to my profession because the unique kind of port this uses ( called EDI ( what I think it stands for EMU Digital Interface ) requiring the PCI slot or the card for laptops which is not being incorporated on new laptops anymore. Soon will have to get an USB device but just for RTA and professional sound analisys use.

UNLESS someone releases some kind of this "EDI"  ( like LAN ) port to USB, which I don't think because part of the digital processing its at the card or slot... or some extra hardware to convert PCMCIA card to USB

Yes maybe this is too much for the use you'll give, but still an option.

otherwise, there are some Sony turntables with USB capabilities... can't recall the price rate for these

[mpdlawdog]

   My brother has a ton of records...a whole room in his house as a matter of fact.....he uses one of these to put them on his ipod...I just got rid of my old cd burner that would have worked  

[Nacho-RT74]

otherwise, there are some Sony turntables with USB capabilities... can't recall the price rate for these

as stated:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=usb+turntable&_sacat=0&_odkw=usb+truntable&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

[Nacho-RT74]

  My brother has a ton of records...a whole room in his house as a matter of fact.....he uses one of these to put them on his ipod...I just got rid of my old cd burner that would have worked  

I also have around 3000 LP records

ANOTHER OPTION could be get a RIAA curve preamplifier with some analog LINE LEVEL output and get it into the "line in" mini jack PC and save into the PC like any regular analog device.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=RIAA+pre&_sacat=0&_odkw=RIAA&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

This works for ANY receiver, ( not just PCs ) without phone provision but lot of line in provisions

this pretty sure will be the cheapest way but MAYBE not the best quality, depending on your selection.

IT CAN BE DONE also through your actual reciever if THIS does have a preamp output ( not everyone has them )... you will plug it into the PC straight from your home preamp to the PC and select PHONE on preamp. Some Preamps have in fact dual outputs, one used to get into the amp, and the extraone for whichever use, sometimes to use an extra amp.

the tipical home receivers with preamp outputs uses Jumpers to link from pre to the built in power. You can remove this jumpers and use an RCA stereo to miniplug wire to plug into the PC, but will be unlinking the power. To monitoring will need to use your PC speakers, unles some other conections

ANOTHER OPTION, if preamp ouput is not available... use the receiver PHONES output to conect into the line in at PC and of course select PHONO.

as you can see, many options, but diff qualities. Everything depens on you.

[Nacho-RT74]

anything you'll choose, PLEASE convert it to WAV or AFI formats... MP3 SUCKS

[Nacho-RT74]

there are some other options around I have been checking... phono inputs small boxes with SPDIF ( Coaxial ) outputs or ADAT kind plug... everything depending on what you have on your PC. This boxes are the same idea than the analog RIAA preamps but being digital output, to use your actuall Turntable.

but NOTE there are diff kinds... the ones with RIAA pre amp curve and the ones WITHOUT RIAA pream... you need one with RIAA

including USB:

RIAA kind:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RCA-Phono-Audio-USB-Adapter-Converter-cassette-PC-/250716832495?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_SoundCards&hash=item3a5fe342ef

NON RIAA kind, which is not more than a wire adapter:
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Type-Male-Cable-3x-Phono-RCA-Cable-TV-AV-PC-DV-/150635235635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23128f4933


also a SELECTABLE RIAA for phono or line use:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alesis-PhonoLink-Stereo-RCA-to-USB-Cable-Phono-Link-/190519900528?pt=DJ_Gear_Lighting&hash=item2c5bdef970

[Old Moparz]

Can't lend you one, but something to consider if you can borrow or buy one, is to make sure you have the correct preamp & ground wire set up between the turntable & the stereo. If the turntable doesn't have it's own preamp, then you can't plug it into the standard phono input on the stereo that uses a ground wire. It'll have to go into an auxiliary input jack. If the stereo doesn't have a phono input, then make sure the turntable doesn't need to be grounded & has it's own built in preamp or you will have to go buy one for about $100 to $125.

I would like to get a converter like the one Nacho posted, but the old direct drive Marantz turntable I have from the 70's is giving me a problem with staying at a constant speed. Until I get it fixed, I decided to buy a cheap, digital turntable to try out & record certain vinyl, then copy it to a CD. I bought one of the ION models from Radio Shack for under $100. It works, but there is a speed fluctuation in this thing also that is more noticeable on a live Miles Davis album I transferred to my computer. The whole process works easy, but the speed fluctuation is probably because it's a cheap POS.

Edit.... I didn't notice Nacho covered the preamp thing.  

[Nacho-RT74]

yes of course, get a digital conversion on a bad quality or bad conditions turntable doesn't worth the converter spend.

I think the SONY LXS300USB is a good option and not expensive to get both worlds ( analog and digital ) at the same time... unless you have a good turntable and only requires the good conversion

[Nacho-RT74]

LOL, yes I covered it.

we need to note we are tlaking about two diff preamps kind... one is the RIAA kind which is the standart equalization curve used to gives the right sound to the vinyls, and then the starndart preamps what only increases the level to the power

Home preamps with Phone input  have a built in RIAA eq/pre attached to the phono input to give the right eq to the phono and then get the propper level to send to the power.

then we have the ONLY RIAA preamps what are exclusively to be used by turntable outputs and then GET THEM IN on a regular preamp without phono provisions... or ANY line in level device, such as a PC

[Nacho-RT74]

I have found some turntables ( Denon ) able to record directly into a pendrive, but talks about record on MP3... WHAT SUCKS... dunno if you can select to change the format.

[kab69440]

I would definitely prefer a self- contained turntable/ burner unit similar to what I've already purchased. I suppose if I have to go with one of the previously posted high-tech gadgets, I will. If only I could get the needle to track properly on the one I have, I'd love it.
BTW, my new computer doesn't have a PCMIA(?) card slot. It's all USB.

[Nacho-RT74]

maybe there is another interface with phono input being USB, dunno. will be searching. The EMU I mentioned is more than you need but a great option. Carries its own editing softwares

PCMCIA is for laptop. Desktop version requires motherboard with PCI slot

what model self- contained turntable/ burner do you have ? to search for the needle.

As mentioned other option would be the USB interfase for regular analog ( like the ALESIS I posted )

[kab69440]

Jensen JTA-450.   I can't imagine the needle is bad, the thing is brand new. This model records to SD card or jump drive.

[Nacho-RT74]

COME OOON... thats an MP3 ENCODER!!! talking about audio quality, MP3 sucks... really.

use a real digital audio format like AIF or WAV... yes, lot more MBs required but NOTICEABLE

try to compare MP3 againts those side by side and you'll notice how much are you missing from the original audio!

[kab69440]

Can't you just upconvert to a different format if desired for remastering?  Is there an all-in-one unit that converts to the superior file type?

[Nacho-RT74]

you can't rebuilt a destroyed file LOL

[kab69440]

Very well, then...  What is your suggestion for an all-in-one unit that doesn't require a PC to do the thinking and will convert to the "good" file types?

[Nacho-RT74]

I'm searching... that unit looks to be able to read WMA ( Windows Media Player ) which is a liitlle bit better than MP3, but doens't say anything about if ENCODES on that format

all units I have found encodes to MP3, and searching for the SPECIFIC info about convert to WAV, everwhere say about the need for the PC.

Unless I'm misssing something.

here a list of turntables with built in encoders

http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/turntable-encode.html

[Nacho-RT74]

FOUND A NICE ARTICLE WITH TWO SOUND CLIPS SAMPLES with same song about how diff are MP3 and WAV side by side... check them and will know what you will be loosing:

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2010/04/sound-test-difference-between-wav-vs-mp3/

I'm a little bit disagree with some what they say on article, but some ppl makes mention about diff is bigger on discussion below. Being a sound tech and having used both formats to test some speakers systems, difference is BIGGER than they say. Maybe hard to notice on a regular PC speaker system

at the end also depends on sample rate, and final destiny of the conversion. So that's what will determine if MP3 is enough or need/wish something better

[2Gunz]

Whats the budget?


On the cheap....


pawn shop, garage sale, borrow, look in the attic for a Turntable.

Buy this from radio shack  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2573420#showFullReviews    AND this  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3449316


Plug it into your "line in" on the computers sound card.


Download some sort of sound recorder like this ..........  http://download.cnet.com/Free-Sound-Recorder/3000-2168_4-10698910.html?tag=mncol;2


Like Nacho said if you want to make good recordings dont use MP3's.

[2Gunz]

Hum.... looks like Nacho already covered what I said.

[Musicman]

Hmmmm... Interesting thread... I use to do a lot of this stuff, but it was a number of years ago. I would record the album onto the computer, break it up into individual tracks, then use a series of home grown algorithms to remove any and all background noises without affecting/sacrificing the original frequency range and tonality of the original recording. It took about an hour to do each track, but the end result was flawless quality.

Simply recording and burning to CD was a piece of cake. Even a quick cleanup to eliminate the major pops and clicks was easy, but this always detracted from the original recording, not that Average Joe was going to notice, but it did. Pops and Clicks were easy enough for the most part. The real hard stuff to get rid of was often times the quiet noises, like floor noise etc found on a lot of classical recordings where you have a group of individuals recorded in a large stage setting. The trick is to separate the unwanted noise from the musical stuff and eliminate it. Problem is the computer doesn't know which is which... Computers are dumb remember, they are not human, they cannot discern the difference between a piece of wood whacking the rim of a drum and the static pop of a vinyl record... they are comprised of similar frequencies, you have to teach it. 

[Nacho-RT74]

or simply clean the vinyl as much as posible with whichever product available, keeping wet the grooves with alcohol, etc... that will save the hard "post-production" job... the cleanest the source, the cleanest the final result being easier the middle steps

We had locally an spray product called COMBAT, which REALLY worked to clean vinyl records

another trick is use an ice cube and run it allong the grooves. Sometimes some groove edges imperfections can be corrected saving some pops noises, or even saving a damaged/schratched vinyl.

on Live sound ( what I mostly do ) pick up the best microphone for the use makes less eq knobs being used on mixer, even better if the instrument is a good quality one. That makes the final sound better and less job, making allmost a plug'n'play

sometimes MP3 is enough for the user, sometimes not... all depends on your intention. It's like build an engine to race or to streets. The more performance wished fro the use, the more precision on tooling and parts required

[Musicman]

or simply clean the vinyl as much as posible with whichever product available, keeping wet the grooves with alcohol, etc... that will save the hard "post-production" job... the cleanest the source, the cleanest the final result being easier the middle steps

You bet
Unfortunately, sometimes old vinyl which has not been properly stored or preserved will begin to break down at the molecular level, and no amount of cleaning will remove these imperfections.

sometimes MP3 is enough for the user, sometimes not... all depends on your intention. It's like build an engine to race or to streets. The more performance wished fro the use, the more precision on tooling and parts required

The work I did was archival, so an MP3 format was never even a consideration.