What software should I use

[shrdlu]

I have a turntable plugged into a receiver/tuner. A splitter (2 RCAs to a 3.5mm phone plug) coming out to IN (blue) port on computer sound card.

Am using open source Audacity software and am chosing "line in" as recording source.

Would this give me STEREO? Vinyl originals are all in stereo. Also, which is the richest sound available? wav? I don't want MP3. Is there a better than Audacity software available?

 

[Massive Master]

You'll need a phono preamp in-line unless you're trying to use the preamp in the receiver, in which case you'd need to pull some sort of tape-out or what not...

The cartridge alone isn't going to give you nearly the voltage you'll need to get it into a line-level input.

The "stereo" part is easy as long as you're using discrete connections.

 

[shrdlu]

Audacity or something else?

You'll need a phono preamp in-line unless you're trying to use the preamp in the receiver, in which case you'd need to pull some sort of tape-out or what not...

The cartridge alone isn't going to give you nearly the voltage you'll need to get it into a line-level input.

The "stereo" part is easy as long as you're using discrete connections.

Amping phono signal is not a problem. Sony stereo receiver/tuner has numerous in and out ports and feeds two sets of speakers. My questions are, 1) will a stereo splitter (with RCAs coming off AUX from the Sony and a 3.5mm phone plug as the line-in to the sound card) provide satisfactory S-T-E-R-E-O feed to the HD. 2) is Audacity right for the job or is other software recommended?

 

[Farview]

As long as the Y cable (splitter) is trs, and the input on your soundcard is stereo, then you will get stereo.

Trs looks like a headphone plug with two (black normally) rings on the plug.

Most stock soundcards have two inputs, one for a microphone, which is mono, and one for a line input, which is stereo. As long as you are plugged into the line input, you should get stereo.


Audacity is fine for what you are doing. Just mix it into a stereo wav file at 44.1k/16bit and you will be good to go.

Reaper is also good.

 

[gcapel]

No matter what software you use you will have to setup the track to be either mono or stereo. If it is indeed a stereo input then it should show up as such when stereo is selected.


I still think you may have some level issues as massive explained. If your going to be doing this much at all I would invest in a small interface. You could find something used less than $200.00

Sony Soundforge is a good program to use for what you are doing. It has some tools for dealing with your type of app.

 

[hardwire666]

Depending on what you are trying to achieve i have two options for software.

If you are creating music, then I suggest reaper. Can be found here=> http://www.reaper.fm

If you are just trying to archive your vinyl collection the try Goldwave that can be found here==> http://www.goldwave.com/

Even if you are just converting your vinyl so you don't wear them out. I recommend Reaper as it will work past it's trial period. Gold wave i believe has usage limits. Not sure I never use for more than converting a .wav to MP3.

Also, if you are just converting your vinyl. try using a high bit rate mp3 like 320kbs, or VBR (variable bit rate). Every MP3 I have I ripped a 320kbps, and it is flawless. VBR in theory will be just as good but take up less space, as it just removes the bits in places where it's not being used, and essentially bloating the file. I never have messed with creating a VBR mp3 out of laziness, and always just go for the 320kbps.

In the end though the best you can get is .wav format recorded at 24bit/192k.... or 96k i think.... Not sure what the standard is for audio in but I know 192 out is common. Any way if you can, or claim you can hear the difference between 16bit/44.1 you are either cooler than superman, or a crazy person who needs to be locked away.

Hope this helps some.