Vinyl To Cd - Better Interface Than Line-in?, (What Again?) Options

[Peter B.]

Hello:

No doubt this question has already been answered a thousand times, but...

All I want to do is transcribe vinyl LPs to CD. I've been using the line level inputs on two different PowerBooks (G3 and G4), but can definitely hear the 'loss' in the final product.

I'm wondering if an external USB analog to digital device will give better results?

The iMic is not (apparently) thought highly of here, but might it be a noticeable improvement over the straight line-in arrangement?

And/or is there a relatively inexpensive alternative that would give a superior result?

Thanks very much for your time and patience.

Peter B.

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[rickenbacker]

might it be a noticeable improvement over the straight line-in arrangement?

Not really, no. A dedicated analog to digital interface will definitely give the best results. As with (almost) anything, it's reasonable to assume that the more you spend, the better it will be. The M-Audio Audiophile USB might suit your stated need.

[Peter B.]

rickenbacker:

Thanks much for your reply...

I probably should have given more detail in my first post. My turntable (older Dual), cartridge (Grado) and receiver are all fairly modest (though I'm more or less happy with them).

I wouldn't hesitate to spend an extra few bucks for the M-Audio (over the iMic) if it is truly likely to make an audible improvement over the basic line-in setup.

As to the results I've gotten so far, they are adequate for the ears of friends I've ripped LPs for, but I'm able to hear the degradation when comparing finished CD to the original vinyl recording. I know there will always be some loss... and that I'm not using optimal equipment.

I also know there are no 'guarantees' offered here.

I've got quite a few LPs I'd _like_ to transcribe, but I don't think I'd even bother if the result isn't noticeably better than I've managed so far.

Just (another) confirmation that the M-Audio is actually _likely_ to provide improvement over line-in will sway me.

Thanks Again.

Peter B.

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[mortalengines]

You are also really gonna need a phono preamp- (if you are not using the line outs of your stereo receiver to the line inputs of your computer which may impart a bit of color/noise that you don't want)- Soundcraft's Compact 4 mixer has an RIAA preamp & turntable ground that may be right up your alley. Radial engineering has a small "Turntable D/I" box to plug your turntable into that will offer the proper boost to your signal prior to going into your computer - Radial products are a little pricey but are the best out there. Just about anything made by Soundcraft is pretty good too & I really like my Compact 4 which gives you two preamp's with phantom power, the turntable input with preamps (that doubles as a stereo input, since it has both RCA & 1/4" inputs on that channel), and another stereo input for a list of 120 bucks (I actually got mine for 79 bucks at at blowout sale locally).

You can go straight out of the mixer from that point with a stereo output "Y" to 1/8" stereo adapter which ought to sound pretty ok (Apples inputs & outputs are not pristine high end items but hey....they ain't that bad). If you still find the sound lacking look into getting an echo indigo, or m-audio studiophile, or something like that - Most of the interfaces out there are pretty darn good these days- just go their respective websites to check compatibiltiy with your I-book & operating system version.

This post has been edited by mortalengines: Tue 20 Dec 2005, 20:17

[Peter B.]

mortalengines:

Thanks to you as well...

>You are also really gonna need a phono preamp-
>(if you are not using the line outs of your stereo
>receiver to the line inputs of your computer which
>may impart a bit of color/noise that you don't want)

This was a bit confusing, but I read it as "_using_ the line outs from the receiver direct to the computer may impart color/noise".

So *ideally* I should bypass my receiver altogether... use a pre-amp... output to (something like) the M-Audio interface... feeding to the computer?

The Compact 4 appears to offer more features than I really need and the Radial DI seems a bit pricey.

Any lower cost preamp recommendations? Or would I be making a mistake trying to use something 'less'.

I genuinely appreciate the help, and I apologise for cluttering a forum that I realise is dedicated to subjects above and beyond this. Sooner or later, I'll just have to bite a bullet on my own, but I really didn't want to eat lead without a little 'pro' advice first.

Peter B.

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[mortalengines]

Don't want to confuse the issue any more than necessary - try first the output from your receiver if you can get it down to the 1/8" input on your I book with minimal fuss or muss(headphone output maybe?). It may be a little touch and go but you will probably find something that sounds acceptable. If you look around you may be able to find a used turntable preamp at some type of consumer audio place that specializes in phonographic equipment (alot of really old consumer high fidelity systems had a turntable preamp & output that was a separate deal altogether from the radio receiver, etc, etc.). What I would say is don't be afraid to try a couple of different things with what you have already & keep plugging away until you are satisfied with the results. You don't need to get all "pristine" about it if you are the only one who will be enjoying it anyway.

[cascabel]

To get best results from Vinyl to CD without spending lots of money, think about buying an used SONY MD-Recorder. Check out this topic in the forum:
www.macmusic.org/agora/forums/?lang=EN&act=ST&f=6&t=24228&st=0

[Peter B.]

Well... to restate my original post:

Since I'm already set up with my receiver's line outs and cabling direct to my PowerBook's line in... and have already transcribed a number of LPs... and already know I'm not happy with the results from that setup, I was looking for a relatively inexpensive way to improve things.

The problem with my previous recordings has not (I don't think) been (so much) one of added noise or coloration, but a (fairly subtle, yet audible) loss of clarity/definition. My memory suggests that straight analog transcription to tape actually produced a better result, so what's 'lost' may be in the A/D conversion.

So far, it seems to make the most sense to try an external analog to digital interface first, then if still not pleased, try a cleaner preamp.

Thanks again to all who replied.

Happy Holidays (however you celebrate them)...

Peter B.

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[kevinr]

I know that it gets a bad press, BUT I have been using an iMic and Final Vinyl (downloaded from the Griffin website - for some reason the one on the budled CD didn't work). The sound may not be as good as a CD, but it's on a par with other MP3s when transferred to iTunes. Perfectly acceptable to me, anyway.

[Peter B.]

I'm afraid I (just this morning) ordered an M-Audio Audiophile USB...

I promise to revive this thread and make a point of boring all of you to tears with a 'review' when I get it and compare results to previous LP to CD transcriptions using line-in connections only.

Promise.

Once again, thanks to all and...

Furry Crispness and a Bleary New Year.

Peter B.

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