Can I Digitise Lps Into Fast Track Pro? Options

[Nortius]

Hi all
I have finally bought myself an audio interface. I want to be able to do 3 things- record piano from a MIc (possibly guitar later), digitise LPs from a turntable, and connect a midi keyboard.
The Fast Track Pro doesn't seem to have inputs where I can plug in my turntable (ie 2x RCA inputs).

Whilst I am still understanding formats etc (ie S/PDIF) can anyone advise whether I can plug the turntable into the FTP, or whether I should take it back and buy another unit.

Many thanks

[azkid]

Hello there Nortius and welcome!

You didn't mention the model of turntable, so my first question would be to ask if it has a preamp built into it? I'm guessing that it does not have a preamp because the output cables end in RCA plugs. But this is not always true!

Most turntables put out a pretty weak signal and their RCA plugs are meant to plug into the older stereo receivers which pre-amplifies the signal before sending it out to speakers or an output stereo jack. Check your turntable to see if it puts out a phono level signal, or line level signal. (Line level would be about +4.0 dB)

There's also a piece of equipment, other than a full receiver, called a phono preamp, built especially for what you want to do. And there's many brands and versions of it in varying price ranges. Some of them will take in the RCA plugs for left and right channels and have a stereo, line level output jack. And some may output the preamped signal on the same type of RCA jacks.

If the preamp has only RCA output jacks, then the next thing you need is a "Y" cable with 2 RCA male plugs that continues to a single stereo (TRS) male plug.

There's many websites that explain the steps to record LPs to CD. Noise from the LP itself and the turntable can be an issue. And so there's also software especially made to filter this noise out after recording. Search the web for insights.

So in short, yes, you can digitize your LPs and record them into your computer through the Fast Track Pro. You may just need a preamp, and possibly a new cable to connect them.

Good luck, and let us know if more questions and how this works out!

This post has been edited by azkid: Fri 26 Sep 2008, 13:16

[mortalengines]

I'll second azkid's post and go a little further...there are several turntable DI boxes out there in the world...this one is probably the best of them. There are some cheaper ones however...you may have to google for those:

http://www.radialeng.com/di-j33.htm

you may also want to think about something like the Soundcraft Compact 4 which is a mixer but also has an RIAA turntable preamp and ground for your turntable...that runs for about 130 bucks.

This post has been edited by mortalengines: Sat 27 Sep 2008, 18:53