Recording from vinyl...

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 17 Nov 2002 9:28 pm

...okay-so I got a line out from my stereo amp to the line in on my computer...how do I record onto the CD burner...I have Windows Media Player(XP)-thanks-Steve

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 18 Nov 2002 6:23 am

My XP came with the digital ROXIO program. You should be able to record to Roxio through the connection you have. Then you can edit as necessary, and record it from there to a CD.....Personally, I don't use Roxio even though it was free...I use MusicMatch! [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 18 November 2002 at 12:46 PM.]

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 18 Nov 2002 6:24 am

Steve,
Assuming you have all the adapting cables from phonograph to pc in place, the next thing you need is some program on your pc that will convert any line-in signal to either MP3 or WAVE. MP3's are much smaller files than WAVE and therefore take up less space.

Some audio enhancing programs are GOLDWAVE,
CAKEWALK, and TOTALRECORDER to name a few.

Not only do these programs record and convert, but enable you to remove hisses, scratches, and popping as well as other cool things.

You have to convert your analog signal into digital before any CD Burner will recognize the recording, and thus be able to cut a CD.
ie., You can't simply burn a CD from phonograph to burner.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Nov 2002 8:08 am

I just picked up a turntable from Musicians Friend that has a digital output. I think would be the clear deal for burning CDs.
Erv

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Nov 2002 8:29 am

Cool! How much do they cost?

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 18 Nov 2002 8:59 am

I’m doing the same thing and found that the topic has come up here quite a bit (search the Computer board on “LP’s” or “vinyl” and you’ll get a lot of the earlier threads. I’m going to do all of our LP’s and tapes.

Here were a couple of links I found in those discussions and have utilized…

Excellent tutorial at this site...
http://www.blazeaudio.com/products/ripeditburn.html?ref=gogrt2cd2

"How To" reference... lots of links http://www.loyno.edu/~hobbs/transfer_records_to_CD.html

My computer came with Roxio Easy CD Creator, but I upgraded to the Platinum package for $89. I upgraded to get, among other things, the automated “cleaning” of the analog line-in signal and a “pop” remover for recording LP’s. I haven’t tried it with LP’s yet, but with cassettes it’s simple and sound quality seems excellent; as good or better than the tapes.

One reviewer (in those links) commented that Roxio worked well but was a bit too automated for his desires. I wanted the automation of a single package. Anyway, looks like there are many products to choose from that work well.

My computer and stereo aren’t in the same room, so I’ve ordered a preamp ($30 at Radio Shack) that will boost the turntable signal to a record level that I can use. You don’t need the preamp with a cassette or most other devices. The magnetic cartridge turntable has a low output voltage (4.5 mv); you need to get up around 100 mv or better, but don’t try to drive it from the “speaker” outputs, that’s too much for your line card.

The only problem I had was that my first attempt to burn the CD failed. I slowed it down to 24X and it works fine. My burner and the discs are rated at 40X. I didn’t notice what speed the failed burn was at; setting was “fastest”, which I suspect would have been 40X.

Finally, this cat's going to have "Rainbow Stew" on CD.

------------------
HagFan

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 18 November 2002 at 09:02 AM.]

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 18 Nov 2002 11:12 am

Steve....I've transferred quite a few of my LPs to CD. The first thing you should know is that it is time consuming, and although the results are very good, it's probably not as good as buying a re-mastered CD. Having said that, the two programs I use are Polderbits Recorder and Editor, and DePopper (to remove scratches.) http://www.polderbits.com/
http://www.droidinfo.com.br/software/depopper/index.html
Both are small downloads with full function free trials.
I have a page with instructions on how I transcribe LPs here: http://www.angelfire.com/vt2/tommymc3/LP_CD_tut.htm
[This message was edited by Tommy Mc on 18 November 2002 at 11:29 AM.]

Karlis Abolins · Post by **Karlis Abolins** » 18 Nov 2002 11:46 am

I have spent a lot of time doing this as well. I have got the process down now and can end up with a good quality recording provided the original is in good shape. I use Diamond Cut 32 which is software developed by some folks doing reconstruction of old vinyl, wax, etc. They ended up marketing their software. I use their software for the whole process. My steps are
1. record - I make sure that my recording does not reach 0 db.
2. Compress - I make sure that the recording reaches 0 db with some saturation (this is not normalization. normalization will only raise the values until the strongest signal is 0db)
3. Declick - I use a soft touch and leave in some dust clicks
4. Dynamic noise reduction - I sample the empty space between cuts and remove anything which matches the sample
5. Add tube sweetness - the software has a geat tube emulator with a lot of the classic tubes. I use a purist setting for A12AX7 with a touch of sweetness
6. Cut the recording into tracks.
7. clean up the noise at the start and finish of each track

At this point, I use NERO burning ROM to burn my CD. The final result is a CD with strong clean signal.

Karlis

Dave Birkett · Post by **Dave Birkett** » 19 Nov 2002 1:55 am

Does your soundcard have a line in or a mic in?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 19 Nov 2002 9:27 am

Jim:
The turntable is a Stanton and came complete with cartridge and accessories for around $229.00. They list for $449.00. The model number is STR8-080.
Erv

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 20 Nov 2002 9:47 am

How can I do this without a PC? Instead, I have 24 track DAW. Anyone archive LP's using a digital recorder?

Mike Dennis · Post by **Mike Dennis** » 28 Dec 2002 6:42 am

I use the upgraded version of Roxio CD Creator (Platinum 5). Depending on your sound card... you can burn directly from your turntable using the Sound Stream, Spin Doctor.

My turntable is connected to an older stereo amplifier... I run the record line out from the amplifier into my computer's soundcard input jack. (You will need to have some kind of preamp designed for the turntable's stylus cartridge, my older stereo receiver has one built in).

I run the signal from the receiver into a Sound Performance Laboratory vitalizer, enhancing unit... to clear up the EQ and add just a bit of stereo surround. I only use it minimally as too much enhancing can amplify defects on the vinyl.

I have a very clean vinyl collection... once burned to cd using this process.. the sound is outstanding.

There really is no need for anyone today to upgrade their record collection to CD. You can do it yourself, as long as you don't mind putting up with a few minor dust pops now and then.

My only critique of the Roxio CD Creator, Spin Doctor... is that it's track splitting software is touchy... it may not always recognize the beginning or end of a song. When burning to CD some songs may run together as one track.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 29 Dec 2002 5:38 pm

I have the same experience with Roxio's track splitting. It's quite good on tapes but not on LP's.

I've found it more efficient to turn off the track splitting and simply cut/paste each track into it's own file, which I save under the song title. I was having to open each track file to trim it anyway. This way I do it all in one pass. I can cut up and trim a 10-song album in about 10-15 minutes.