B
badmo1
New member
I've got a ton of old vinyl lp's... that I'd like to convert to cd's... and I'm a very new at this. Can someone please refer to me to some very basic resources for getting started? Thanks.
ola
Newbie
You'll need a soundcard and some recording software that's capable of recording in 16bit 44.1kHz format. This applies to virtually any soundcard and recording SW. If your soundcard doesn't support 16/44.1, for example SB Live! (I'm told), you may want to get a new one or get used to the extra hassle of converting all recordings into that format.
Run a cable from the line output on your amp to the line input (not the mic input) on your soundcard. Set your recording SW to record a stereo wave file (rather than two mono) and hit record in your recording SW. This'll produce files that are ready to get burned onto CD, assuming that your soundcard supports 16/44.1. If not, you'll have some other format and you will need to convert this to 16/44.1. Most recording SW will handle this as well but if you're planning on recording many albums, it might be worth spendinf $30 or so on a better soundcard.
As simple as that. Try making a CD and see if the quality is good enough. Burn at 1X speed. It'll increase your chances of getting a useable CD. If you get digital noise or cracks and pops that weren't on the LP, you may want to get a "real" soundcard, if it sounds OK, then you're set.
/Ola
Run a cable from the line output on your amp to the line input (not the mic input) on your soundcard. Set your recording SW to record a stereo wave file (rather than two mono) and hit record in your recording SW. This'll produce files that are ready to get burned onto CD, assuming that your soundcard supports 16/44.1. If not, you'll have some other format and you will need to convert this to 16/44.1. Most recording SW will handle this as well but if you're planning on recording many albums, it might be worth spendinf $30 or so on a better soundcard.
As simple as that. Try making a CD and see if the quality is good enough. Burn at 1X speed. It'll increase your chances of getting a useable CD. If you get digital noise or cracks and pops that weren't on the LP, you may want to get a "real" soundcard, if it sounds OK, then you're set.
/Ola
B
badmo1
New member
Thanks so much.... my new PC -- with a sound card that does support recording in a 16bit 44.1kHz format -- is due to arrive tomorrow. I'll follow your instructions and see what happens. I'll probably need some recording software -- any suggestions?
ola
Newbie
I've only used n-Track and VST24 but they're overkill for your situation. Maybe the main site has som tips or you can search the forums here for "freeware".
SPINSTERWUN
Active member
You might want to consider purchasing a program named Sound Forge 4.5 from Sonic Foundry.
(If you are buying a new computer it might already be installed).
You could record directly into SoundForge.
If some of your records are not in pristine condition, then you could use one of SoundForge's PLUG-INS (Vinyl Restoration) to remove cracks, pop etc.
Sonic Foundry might even have a free demo version (please, excuse the double repetitive
).
check out the site....
http://www.sonicfoundry.com
post script: To transfer your records into CD's you will need to purchase a cable to connect your turntables sound system to yur computer.
Purchase a LEFT FEMALE/RIGHT FEMALE RCA to 1/8" STEREO cable. You can pick these up at any electronics store.
p.p.s. If you want to get an even better transference, you could do this...
Go to your local mobile sound equipment rental store and rent one of their Technics 1200 MKII turntables ( about $15) and a mixer(about $15).
Then purchase a Shure SC35 cartridge and needle (cartridge=$35, needle=$13).
Now I am sure if there are any DJ's reading this post then they are asking themselves " why didn't Spin tell badmo1 to purchase an ORTOFON cartridge and needle?"
Well, when it comes to recording the Shure's give a larger range of frequency response.
Sorry about the long post.
Peace...
spin
(If you are buying a new computer it might already be installed).
You could record directly into SoundForge.
If some of your records are not in pristine condition, then you could use one of SoundForge's PLUG-INS (Vinyl Restoration) to remove cracks, pop etc.
Sonic Foundry might even have a free demo version (please, excuse the double repetitive
).check out the site....
http://www.sonicfoundry.com
post script: To transfer your records into CD's you will need to purchase a cable to connect your turntables sound system to yur computer.
Purchase a LEFT FEMALE/RIGHT FEMALE RCA to 1/8" STEREO cable. You can pick these up at any electronics store.
p.p.s. If you want to get an even better transference, you could do this...
Go to your local mobile sound equipment rental store and rent one of their Technics 1200 MKII turntables ( about $15) and a mixer(about $15).
Then purchase a Shure SC35 cartridge and needle (cartridge=$35, needle=$13).
Now I am sure if there are any DJ's reading this post then they are asking themselves " why didn't Spin tell badmo1 to purchase an ORTOFON cartridge and needle?"
Well, when it comes to recording the Shure's give a larger range of frequency response.
Sorry about the long post.
Peace...
spin
S
spoon_22
New member
Probably doesn't matter now...
Just for the general info,
SB Live supports 16/44 (and 48)
Spoon
Just for the general info,
SB Live supports 16/44 (and 48)
Spoon
M
mapeterson
New member
You could try the demo of Cool Edit 2000 a good program for a start if you are only using it for cleaning up old vinyl http://www.syntrillium.com you will probably only need the main and the audio cleanup pluggin also http://www.jdklein.com/clickfix/ is an excellent 3rd party pluggin and is alot easyier to use then the click and pop removal in the audio cleanup but you will need that for hiss and noise removal.
Jon X
New member
If that new PC you are getting has a CD burner, it might come with all the software you need to do this. Adaptec Easy CD Creator has a program built into it for recording old LPs and cleaning them up a little to be put on CD. Not that it's the best thing out there I'm sure, but it does the job. Worth checking the new PC for it to see at least.
The other software suggestions made here would certainly do the job as well.
The other software suggestions made here would certainly do the job as well.
F
Frank Hearth
New member
Old Lp's
Hi to another Newbie:
Check out another thread named "Old Records and Tapes" in this Newbie section. I recently asked about the same thing. Check out the replys there regarding the program "Auto Grabber". I downloaded it and whammo ! I have found it to be a great little program to get all of my old Lp's, tapes, CD's etc. onto a new CD.
I use Adaptec's "Easy CD Creator Deluxe" V. 4.03 software program, and it works great for burning the files I recorded to a new CD. I am using a Yamaha 16 x 10 x 40 CD-RW recorder for burning and have tried several different speeds including the 16X and I have had the best luck at speeds of around 8X. So far I am recording (with AudioGrabber) in analog and configured the program for "in line" and just hooked up the "line output" of my sterio to the "line in" on my computer sound card and away I went.
Thanks to all the other replys I got for helping me to get started too.
Frank.......
Hi to another Newbie:
Check out another thread named "Old Records and Tapes" in this Newbie section. I recently asked about the same thing. Check out the replys there regarding the program "Auto Grabber". I downloaded it and whammo ! I have found it to be a great little program to get all of my old Lp's, tapes, CD's etc. onto a new CD.
I use Adaptec's "Easy CD Creator Deluxe" V. 4.03 software program, and it works great for burning the files I recorded to a new CD. I am using a Yamaha 16 x 10 x 40 CD-RW recorder for burning and have tried several different speeds including the 16X and I have had the best luck at speeds of around 8X. So far I am recording (with AudioGrabber) in analog and configured the program for "in line" and just hooked up the "line output" of my sterio to the "line in" on my computer sound card and away I went.
Thanks to all the other replys I got for helping me to get started too.
Frank.......