OT - convert records to mp3

  • Thread starter Thread starter paresh
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paresh

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A friend wants to convert his old records to mp3 files. I've seen various
programs advertised in the past but never used any of them. Can anyone
recommend one that is simple to use? free wd be even better. Also he doesn't
have an outboard sound card - just the built in windows sound. I don't know
how much that will degrade the sound. ? Thanks.
 
To get sound from a turntable into a computer you need an RIAA preamp.

This is what you need to be able to convert the turntable to a line level signal. Then you will need an adapter cable to plug it into the line input of the stock soundcard. If his stock soundcard is not up to the job --- and you will be able to judge this by the quality of the results --- you may need to add something like this.

Fortunately the software is free. Audacity has the ability to convert between any wav file and any grade of mp3 from the lowest --- 96kHz is considered the minimum for music reproduction --- to the highest --- 360kHz is considered to be the maximum necessary before the gains become neglible and the files too large.
 
Audacity is free BUT doesn't deal with crackles, pops, click, tape noise, hiss, scratches, clicks etc.
Waverepair is $30 but well worth it as it can/will deal with all the above, can be Macro prog'd to multi task, samples at the right rate for CD burning, spilts tracks, normalizes & lots lots more.(jsut do a net search for waverepair)
Also the author updates frequently & the updates are FREE.
Do a search of the forum - I've really detailed this stuff a couple of times before today.
You do need a good turntable, record cleaner, newish stylus, a stereo pre with RIAA or an amp with phono in & a GOOd line out with a good quality Y cable (stereo RCA to stereo mini plug tat'll fit into the sound card line in).
Also, to do a reasonable job, a GOOD soundcard. Soundblaster etc really won't do too flash a job of conversion though acceptable if you are only MP3ing.
He's crazy to convert, restore & THEN downgrade the signal to MP3.
AT LEAST keep copies as wave files.
 
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