Easy way to convert vinyl LP's to MP3's

[azasadny]

Anyone here try this? It's supposed to play your old albums and convert them to MP3's and reduce scratches, pops, clicks,etc...

http://www.amazon.com/Numark-TTUSB-Turntable-with-USB/dp/B000G3FNVM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/102-7582896-7033741?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176816001&sr=8-2


From the website:

roduct Description
Digital audio has taken hold but what do you do with your old vinyl records. There are some recordings that are just priceless! The Numark TT-USB is a turntable that plays records but can also connect to your computer to transfer the sounds for recording to your hard-drive or disc recorder. Even directly to your MP3 player or iPod. The TTUSB is a complete solution for transferring one's vinyl record collection to a computer using the included software, you can then remove the clicks, pops, and other noises inherent in vinyl records. The TTUSB even provides a 1/8-inch stereo minijack input to facilitate the transfer of cassette tapes. For the music enthusiast with an aging record collection, Numark's TTUSB is the ideal tool for breathing new life into recordings of a bygone era. breeze. Equipped with an adjustable anti-skating control for increased stereo balance, support for 33.33 and 45 RPM playback speeds, +- 10% adjustable pitch control, the turntable has all the features inherent of a fine component. It has a USB port that allows transfer to your Macintosh or PC system. Plug and Play USB compatibility with both PC and Mac Audacity supports high-speed recording, then returns music to original playback speed Audacity software includes ability to export to WAV and MP3


Looks to be very cool!

[Christien]

A good idea, but let me ask you this:
1. do you already have a turntable?
2. would you rather spend $5 for an adaptor and get the same (perhaps better) quality?

If you've already got a turntable with RCA outputs (standard stereo connectors) then head to any electronics store and get an RCA to 1/8" adaptor, should cost about $5. Connect that to the wires from the turntable then connect that to your line in. (depending on turntable model you may need to chain an amp in there). Then download the software this comes with (Audacity) or any other free/shareware audio editor and start recording.

Chances are, if you're any bit of an audiophile, you've already got a better quality turntable and amp than this product. At $145 it can only be so good, and I can only imagine what kind of amp they've got in there.

[K. Roman]

Are there 1/8th inch line ins on a Mac? or are you talking PC?

I don't think my Mac has a line in. But I use Protools for these types of jobs.

Originally posted by Christien
A good idea, but let me ask you this:
1. do you already have a turntable?
2. would you rather spend $5 for an adaptor and get the same (perhaps better) quality?

If you've already got a turntable with RCA outputs (standard stereo connectors) then head to any electronics store and get an RCA to 1/8" adaptor, should cost about $5. Connect that to the wires from the turntable then connect that to your line in. (depending on turntable model you may need to chain an amp in there). Then download the software this comes with (Audacity) or any other free/shareware audio editor and start recording.

Chances are, if you're any bit of an audiophile, you've already got a better quality turntable and amp than this product. At $145 it can only be so good, and I can only imagine what kind of amp they've got in there.

[Christien]

I am indeed talking about a PC, but I would've assumed a Mac would have an 1/8" line in too. But I absolutely could be wrong. Wow. I wonder why they wouldn't? Do you have an 1/8 line out? If not, what do you plug speakers into?

[azasadny]

Christien,
Yep I have a turntable and can do this, but most of the people I know no longer have a turntable and are frustrated that they can't "easily" listen to their albums. Many don't have a traditional stereo system anymore, just an MP3 player with speakers or a Bose WaveRadio. For these folks, this device could be useful. My son may start up a little business on the side where he performs the "LP to MP3" conversion for these people and charge a buck or two per album. good way for a 15 year old to earn guitar-buying $...

[Christien]

You're right, for those people it's a good unit. And that does sound like a good after school job for a kid to save up for a guitar!

[svandamme]

i would think that an integrated system would offer several advantages:
- not going from groove to analog audio, to a mixer (turntables do not have amplified output) to pc's line in, to a DAC to an encoder
but going from groove, to DAC and have the encoding process optimized, your fancy turntable and expensive needle suddenly produce nothing but junk...

- software that is designed to filter out the cracks and pops, equalize the whole shabang, and even split up the individual songs automatically


try recording vinyl manually ,
it's not so easy to get it done with clean results, lot's of trial and error to get the sound in the mp3 as clean as out of your amp...

have not tried one of those numarks yet
but numark in general has good gear, many turntabalists swear by em, no Technics for scratch geeks, no sir

besides, if you want a good needle , put an Ortofon needle on it...

[Nostril Cheese]

slight hijack

just checked on a needle for my 20 year old Beogram.

they want $3000. anyone reccommend a good newer turntable? I have been thinking of converting all my old LP's to mP3

[red-beard]

I guess I was "lucky" that all of my albums were destroyed...

[K. Roman]

Yes, it has a headphone jack, but the only ins are USB and firewire. I am actually using Airtunes, so the only wires are the Airtunes to subwoofer, sub to little M audio five inchers. It always seem to impress folks. "how are you playing that with now wires?"

Originally posted by Christien
I am indeed talking about a PC, but I would've assumed a Mac would have an 1/8" line in too. But I absolutely could be wrong. Wow. I wonder why they wouldn't? Do you have an 1/8 line out? If not, what do you plug speakers into?