connecting a turntable?

[mdollars]

hi, guys


i just need a bit of help working out how to connect my turntable upto a soundcard so i can start sampling stuff from my vinyl.

i have a presonus firebox which is connected via firewire to my laptop.

the turntable has phono/rca outputs.

the firebox has a balanced main outs which goto my monitors.
it has 2 spare trs line ins
can i just connect my turntable straight to the line in? with the correct cable which i think would be, 2 x phono/rca > 2 x trs?

does it matter if the cable is balanced or not?

can i just use normal phono/rca > phono/rca leads with a 1/4" adaptor on one end?

thanks in advance,

m.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Outputs of a turntable usually connect to a phono preamp to accommodate the RIAA EQ curve that is applied to vinyl records. You can then try the preamp outputs (typically unbalanced RCA-type, like the turntable) into the line-in of your s/c using adapters -- if there's too much noise, then you may need a transformer to convert the unbalanced signal to balanced.

 

[mdollars]

thanks for the reply!

so the other option might be using my dj mixer in line?

turntable > mixer > soundcard.

mixer connecting to the trs input on the soundcard?

 

[regebro]

Yes, that should work.

 

[Springo]

You can't just connect the inputs to a PC and have the turntable work. Aside from the fact that you need the right software, the turntable also needs to have its signal juiced, as well being grounded. Without any type of amplification, the turntable will not produce a usable signal. And without being grounded, it will hum. Badly.

You can connect the ground of the turntable to a screw on a wall outlet, assuming that you've amped the turntable's signal somehow. But this can be inconvenient. There are several boxes out there that will take care of both issues and provide an interface for the turntable. They don't cost too much and they are what I would recommend.

PS - I am not sure if that box you have accomplishes the above. You did say that it has phono on it - remember that even though a turntable has RCA jacks, it MUST be used with phono jacks. For example you cannot plug a turntable into a pair of auxilliary RCA jacks. They have to be phono, so keep that in mind. The boxes take care of that issue as well.

 

[mdollars]

thanks,

looks like i will just have to bring my mixer and a deck downstairs when i want to sample stuff.

can logic pro 7 be used to import samples from the turntable

 

[treymonfauntre]

or you can just buy a phono preamp. they're like 30 bucks. hell they probably make one that has a balanced output

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

hell they probably make one that has a balanced output

Doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but I've never seen one.....