Good Lp Recording?, Need advice on LP to CD-RW setup Options

[Thebookdoc]

I do a lot with computers having a background in image editing, but I am pretty new to digital audio (in the recording sense). I was a hi-fi enthusiast in my teens and collected some 1500 LPs that I'd like to transfer to CD. I can stand doing it slowly over a period of years, but need some advice on hooking the stereo into the computer and making the digital conversion -- I'm OK burning the CDs. I've a pretty nice audio setup with a preamp, and assume I can hook to the G4 with one of the various outs from the preamp. However, that is where the magic stops. Then I start making assumptions. Here's obviously where I need help.

1. I would assume I can get an RCA IN PCI card? If so, recommendations? I can't seem to find what I am looking for, most being digital OUTs.

2. Software recommendations for analog/digital conversion? I would want to do limited editing at this point -- and perhaps none (pops and clicks -- similar to where I started with digital image editing).

Or is there a better way? I assume I'd not really need a mixer of any sort considering the preamp.

In the long run, I might want to do some recording. I have an old 4 track TEAC reel-to-reel, and used to do some audio production in an analog environment, but that was back in the college radio station. Perhaps there are suggestions for a simple system with potential for upgrade?

Thanks...forgive my ignorance if this is easier than it seems.

Richard

[gregaber]

I've used my Apple G4-400 mHz desktop successfully in transferring my LPs to CDs, but it came with an audio-in port. You did not say what type of computer you have.

Assuming you have a Mac and get a PCi card with audio-in [Macmall.com has an M-Audio card for $99 or I'm looking into a Griffin iMic for $35 for my Powerbook], all you need is Toast Titanium 5 or 6. It comes with another application [CD Spin Doctor] that you use first:

1. Hook up your stereo to the audio-in on your Mac.
2. Launch CD Spin Doctor [CDSD] to record the LP into one enormous AIFF file.
3. Use CDSD to define/name the individual tracks and clean up any scratches, pops, etc.
4. When done, click on the toaster icon to send the tracks to Toast.
5. Toast automatically launches, choose Audio, define the time between
tracks, and burn your CD.

CDSD is a rudimentary application; you can only clean up the scratches, pops etc and adjust the output level but you cannot modify the equalization. It's a bare bones application that enables you to transfer LPs to CDs and do cleanup; nothing more.

I've been happy with the results because i've transferred just the songs I wanted and didn't have to go out and buy the music all over again. This works great for LPs that only have a few songs you want, where it's not worth buying the whole CD. It's also good for LPs that are no longer in print or not available in CD.

This is not a quick task but again, if you don't have the ability or money to replace your LP collection, it's a way out.

This post has been edited by gregaber: Sun 21 Dec 2003, 16:59