What do I need to convert LPs to CD?

[BEAD]

Ok, I need a computer with a cd burner, a record player, and some records...

 

Most cheapo soundcards don't have stereo 1/8 inputs, do they?

 

Should I just plug her in and give it a run?

 

Also... software?

[Kiwiburger]

Vinyl is recorded with a special eq bias which needs to be 'decoded' with a proper phono preamp designed for the purpose. If you just connect a turntable to an ordinary mixer, it sounds extremely thin.

 

But your record player will have a phono preamp, and if it has line outputs then you should be able to connect directly into your soundcard. But if it only has an output direct from the stylus, then you need to get a turntable preamp. Most DJ mixers have the necessaries.

 

If you don't already have software, freeware Audacity is pretty good. You might need some noise reduction tools - I can't recall exactly what is in the latest version of Audacity, it might be good enough.

[doug osborne]

Something like the ART USBPhonoPlus would take care of the electronic part of the process.

[boosh]

Now why go through all the hassle?

[roland]

 

Originally posted by boosh Now why go through all the hassle?

 

 

Agreed, unless its a rare LP not available on cd or download. I've burned a few and holy cow, what a major PITA. You have to burn it in real time (of course), then split it up into individual songs and name them, then when you finally finish up and play the thing you can sometimes get a loud pop in between songs if you don't have some setting set correct. Bleh.

 

For a "time is money" type person, buying it on cd or itunes is a much better option.

[philbo]

Actually, I have a large number of LPs that have never, and probably will never, come out on CD. A good number of those that ARE on CD are so poorly mastered that I prefer the vinyl version.

 

In between recording projects, digitizing these LPs is one of my side projects.

 

It IS a PITA, but there's no other way to get this music.

 

Some software that is helpful:

AIPL Singulator - Automatically records tracks into sequentially numered WAV files.

 

CoolPro/Audition - Click & Pop cleanup, outstanding general purpose Wav editor.

 

Nero - Without a doubt, the best CD burner program on the planet.

[PintoMusic]

I have a Steinberg phono pre-amp that's powered by the game-port which was alright. I'm thinking about selling it because I use this old Sony stereo receiver to amplify my soundcard output. It's - both literally and sonically - a very clean unit (I bought it NOS on eBay).

 

I discovered it was easier for me to plug my turntable (an Akai direct-drive) into the receiver's phono-input and just feed the "record out" off the reciever back into my soundcard. It probably does colour the sound a little bit but so does everything else.

[Han]

Adobe Audition 1.5 has an awesome click and pop remover with several settings, like old record etc.

 

This removes most pops and clicks, the few ones that are left can be removed by a trancient repair device.

 

I've done several old vinyl records this way and it works like a charm.

 

Make separate wav's, name them, use Sonic Foundry's CD architect to master it and burn a CD (or two).

 

You need a decent soundcard like the Terratec DMX6fire, which has a phono input.

[meverett]

Just buy an RCA to 1/8" mini stereo "y cable" at radio shack.

Hook the RCA end of the cable to "Pre amp out" or "Tape out" on your home stereo and the 1/8" mini stereo end to "line in" on your sound card.

You must have software that can record from the "line in" source (your soundcard). The programs mentioned above will work.

Play vinyl and record.

That's it.