Vinyl to MP3

[b0redom]

Hi Guys,
My Dad is after a way of converting his old Vinyl collection to MP3. Has anyone used one of the turntable -> USB setups?

I know I could have it turntable -> soundcard -> MP3, but even if the quality isn't as good, it's got to be 'dad' proof.

Cheers...

[timread]

Have you got an MP3 player with a line in, that can record? I use my iRiver H340 to record straight to .MP3 off my hifi (Rega Planar P3 turntable and Arcam A80 amp). Works brilliantly.

Other than that, enough of the computer and music mags seem to think that the USB turntables are a good way of ripping your vinyl. The advantage often being that it's easier to sit in front of your PC to do the ripping.

Turntable - soundcard - MP3 is probably the cheapest though.

I find MP3DirectCut is a great proggy for splitting the long MP3 tracks you get from each side of vinyl, into the correct tracks. http://mpesch3.de1.cc/mp3dc.html

[g8ina]

As long as the TT includes a pre-amp of some sort - and I'm assuming that a USB device would - it shouldn't be a problem. USB has plenty of bandwidth for audio anyway.

Personally, I'd buy a decent TT and separate pre-amp, like the NAD (well, that's what I did actually)...

Then you'll need a cheap or free WAV editor like Audacity to record and edit, maybe remove a few clicks and pops, and some surface noise...

[b0redom]

To clarify he doesn't have a turntable any more and it's going into an iPod.

I know a separates setup would be best, qualitywise, but that's not an option.

[timread]

I think you're still going to need a PC to capture the sound from the USB turntable. Also software to record the sound input (this can be free, e.g. Audacity) and optionally software to remove hiss & clicks and split the tracks. iPod's can't record

A laptop would work, although you might get better sound quality with a USB external soundcard - most integrated sound chips on laptops are pretty poor quality.

[rentagas]

The ion turntable is around £99 at the moment which includes the tape interface- from a large pc chain's website (reduced by £20). Obviously you need a computer to connect to the turntable and your ipod but it does represent good VFM.
I do have an expensive turntable but so far have not had the time to transfer vinyl using this however the ion system seems very tempting just because of it's simplicity.

[G4Z]

I record my mixing from my decks all the time, if you have a mixer you can just connect the RCA cables to the 3.5mm mic/line in jack. I use some open source software called Audacity for recording, nice and simple and free.

[toolsong]

If you value sound quality consider a Stanton T.90 USB.

Even if it's for an iPod, I would record a lossless archive first then convert.