Don't touch your EQ, you shouldn't have to if you can get a nice capture. I'm not sure how to do this, but somebody else around here should. Don't touch that dial!

So my question should have been: Can I or How can I get a clean capture from a turntable using the default input on my computer?

Exactly, now you're on the right track. Don't worry, someone will most likely give you your answer before the night is over.

Thanks, I eagerly await an answer.

Thanks, I eagerly await an answer.

A consumer soundcard is the beginning of the troubles.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/USBPhonoPlus2/

What does the item in the link "do"? Sorry for being a noob here. Is there a chance that that thing will do the same thing as the iMic with the static? Would routing this through a stereo or receiver do the same thing? Or is the problem that I'm just plugging it into the audio input on the back of my computer?

Also: Does the RIAA standard equalization in audacity do the same thing as the preamp?

I haven't played with Audacity enough to tell you. RIAA is the eq curve required (along with sufficient preamp gain) to reproduce sound from a vinyl platter. The device I linked to is specifically designed for you to plug your turntable into via the RCA plugs, and then into the computer via the USB cable. It is far better suited for your purpose than plugging into a microphone input on a native computer sound card.

Thanks so much for your help. I can't imagine I can get around paying for this and still get good quality audio.

I have another quick question. This preamp you sent me was 100 bucks, but I have seen vinyl to digital recording stations (USB) for less than that. Is that a better deal? It seems hard to believe that people could sell something that would make significantly inferior recordings... What do you know about this?

That depends entirely on the quality level of the turntable you already have. If you have a rockin' platter spinner then the USB version will not be as good. If you have a Salvation Army Special, then the USB turntable will be as good or better.

Okay, I'm hoping this won't illicit a response of something like " *smack* Quit being a cheapass and buy the preamp, its only 100 bucks" but I'd like to run this by you...

Turntable: RCA: Receiver: Phones out: 3.5mm: iMic external soundcard: USB computer.

Thought this might get rid of A) the RIAA equalization stuff and B) the native sound card (or nonexistent mac sound card).

Is using my receiver's phones out (the only output other than speaker wire) an especially bad idea (i.e. does it lessen the quality). Also, I think I managed to get rid of the iMic static issues since I can now control the sound before the iMic and just set Audacity's recording volume to zero.

Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Direct Drive Professional Turntable

$250

(Look at end post on previous page)

Turntable: RCA: Receiver: Phones out: 3.5mm: iMic external soundcard: USB computer.

=shitty sound.

A tape out or other line level output (most likely rca plugs) on the back of your receiver would work in a mediocre manner but the iMic portion of the program is what will give you the noise I suspect. This route will not give you great quality but will work. If this were what you were going to do then a USB turntable is definitely a better option.

In any case, you will need to invest in a good record cleaning system to maximize the potential of the recording. A dirty record will have beau coups pops and clicks and skates and all those things the kids today don't know about.

ArizonaBay wrote: Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Direct Drive Professional Turntable

$250

:shock:
Dude. You crack me up. You're squirming over a decent budget $99 two channel preamp and looking at a $250 turntable?

If your existing turntable is not very good or the needle is shot or you plan on listening to records a bunch (which I DO recommend), then the AT would be a decent purchase. At least AT used to make good turntables. Check out product reviews and such via google or gearslutz.

The turntable is my dad's, so is the iMic, I'm 16 and trying to start a business. I've already invested 40 dollars in some good DeClick software, and another 50 in stuff for CD's (photo paper, cd labels and applicator). I was hoping I wouldn't have to even deeper before I could do this right.

I'm 16 and trying to start a business.

Ok Hoss. Here's the deal. Whenever you start a business you need to do one very important thing first. You need to write a business plan. Even as a 16 year old. Especially as a 16 year old. In this business plan you will need to REALISTICALLY figure out what equipment you are required to have to fulfill your business mission. You need to figure out your short term goals and mid term goals and long term goals. Now reverse plan (from the final product backwards) until you get to the beginning steps.

Start with what is the goal of your business. Is it really to make the best quality transfers from vinyl to CD/DVD? Is it just something you are going to do for your dad and a few kids on the block that happen to have some large round shaped objects that don't fit into their CD players? Something in between?

I was hoping I wouldn't have to even deeper before I could do this right.

This is what you are going to figure out by writing your business plan. Always make the best product within your capabilities to deliver. Always charge a fair price for your time and skill level. Don't sell something you cannot deliver ever. Don't lie about your skills.

READ READ READ LEARN LEARN LEARN

These bits of advice are not what you are wanting just at the moment but it is where you need to start. In fact, until I know what your "business" angle is going to be I can't even realistically recommend something in an accurate manner.

I got sidetracked. In regards the paper labels....forget it. If this is a true business venture the paper labels are not the answer. Unless you get them EXACTLY centered then the CD/DVD is unbalanced while it is spinning and burns up drives on laptops and can burn up larger stereo type drives. Maybe not the first 10 times but it does happen. Again, depending on your business model, good options are: printable discs, lightscribe, and professional replication with silkscreen labels.

Thank you for all the advice. I wasn't really aware that I would need all the equipment; I guess I hadn't successfully done all the research. The iMic came suggesting that it would be sufficient for analog to digital conversions, and was especially good for vinyls. As for my business plan, I have done a bit of economic planning (petty cash fund, income, expenses) with the help of my mom, I made flyers and have begun to distribute them. I sell CD copies for 10 and audio copies for 7 in an attempt to be competitive with iTunes and Amazon and such. As far as money and time, I doubt I'd be making much more than minimum wage, but its fun and beats a retail or McDonalds job. I have my dad, my girlfriend's dad, a few neighbors and a couple other contacts as potential customers. So right now: $130 of immediate work, and startup expenses of about $190 (with the preamp). If I do them right, I'm sure I can get repeat customers and I've considered going door to door, or putting flyers in mailboxes or something.

As for the paper labels, the Aver labels came with an applicator that centers it perfectly, which seems to work fine.

At my disposal: AT turntable, Technics (kind oldish) receiver, a couple stereo/CD players, iMic USB external sound card, a wealth of RCA, 3.5mm, 1/4" cables, and adaptors, a first gen iMac G5 with standard soundcard, Audacity, Final Vinyl, ClickRepair.

So. Final verdict: Should I spend the $100 on the preamp?

Some points for you to consider:

1. Make sure the turntable is clean and is in perfect working order. Get a new needle and realize this is a recurring expense for the best transfers. It isn't one a week but it's more than once in the life of the turntable. If the turntable has a grounding screw you will need to learn how to do that.

2. You will need to get a good record cleaning system and learn to use it properly. The el cheapo ones are not ideal. A google search will reveal some info on this.

3. Check into the legal ramifications of your transfer process. Is a one for one transfer legal for private use? Can one make legal multiple copies of copyrighted material? Is the material copyrighted at all? (yes in most instances of vinyl transfers)

4. Do you need anything more than the iMic? If you are asking my personal opinion...well....I already gave it with a link. However, it is your business and your business model so you have to weight the cost/benefit/quality aspects and make your own decision.

5. Will your software burn Redbook CDs? Is that necessary?

I realize there are more questions here than answers. However, I prefer the modified Socratic method of teaching and you'll learn more this way.

Oh yeah. The more you listen to records on a decent stereo the more you will realize why all of us born prior to 1970 miss them. Most of us are just too plain lazy (or no time) to maintain the analog recording chain to make them worthwhile as a destination media. And why most of us detest mp3 and other lossy formats.

I'm sorry to bother again, when one problem gets fixed another tends to arise. I found out the AT turntable has a built in RIAA phono equalization preamp. However, when I turn it on (its just a switch) the left side audio dies and is replaced by a buzz. Do you have any idea what might cause this, or could you recommend me someone who knows about this turntable?
I've tested this into my computer, into my iMic, and into a pair of headphones: the problem only persists when the internal preamp is turned on. I guess its time to buy a real preamp, huh?

Or could this be a grounding problem? If so, what do I do, I'm clueless.

The turntable needs to be serviced. The built in preamp is kaputt machen. This is what I was referring to in point 1 above. This adds to your expense for sure. Hum could be a grounding issue, however since the left channel doesn't work at all then it is more than that.

So it would probably be cheaper and have much better quality if I gave up on the internal preamp (turned it back off), stopped trying all the ridiculous solutions (receiver headphone port), and just bought the preamp.

If I were depending on a piece of gear for a business venture, then I would have it serviced. Perhaps you can get by without the internal RIAA preamp. How about the motor bearings? Are the spindles true? What about the balance weight on the tone arm? Analog gear requires maintenance. There is no way around it.

Whatever you decide about the turntable, you should lose the noisy receiver and any other impediment to getting a clean signal chain into the computer. Turntable, preamp, AD (analog to digital converter), computer. If you add crap into the chain then all you add is noise and frustration.

Okay, I think I have the equalization stuff set right, with the ArtUSB Phono Plus, but I am still having the same problem that started me here. Although both the preamp and the computer don't say the audio is clipping, the sound is distorted in loud/high pitched parts of the music. Any idea what that could be or what could be causing it?

Can you post a link to a clip? Or just email it to me. I don't know what you're hearing. Could be a bad needle or tone arm or it might just be overload.

Yeah, thanks, I first gotta save a recording with the preamp, I can send you the computer soundcard recording to if you want. I'm gonna hit the hay, I'll post a mediafire link tomorrow.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zmemd01xiej

I just recorded that this morning. The preamp's clip monitor doesn't turn red, and Audacity doesn't say that it clips. The gain is set in the center.

You have several problems here.

Firstly, your pickup cartridge is not tracking the disc correctly. This may be due to a poor-quality cartridge, a worn or damaged stylus, wrong playing weight (downforce), wrong bias compensation (sideforce) or some other mechanical factor.

Secondly, the sample you posted is clipping, whatever your lights and meters say.

Thirdly, the gains are different in each channel. You need to get a calibration disc, play the single tone tracks and set the balance control so you get equal output on L and R channels.

Fourthly, I am suspicious that you have some EQ set, which is affecting the sonic balance of the output. This may be just due to inaccurate RIAA compensation, but again, the calibration disc with tones at spot frequencies through the audible range should be able to diagnose the trouble.

If you are proposing to set yourself up as a service, you need to treat it professionally, and should have checking and calibration tools. Develop a check procedure that you run through before you start any vinyl transcription project, as settings can mysteriously change from one session to the next.

I just cannot seem to fix that clipping sound though, even when i turn the gain on the preamp all the way down to -10, the lowest it goes, there is still a bit of clipping. Also, tell me more about this calibration disc, google search yields mostly home theater stuff.

Honestly, you probably need to look at a new/refurbished turntable. This one sounds like without major work it will not be suitable for your business venture. At the very least you need an experienced (getting hard to come by for these) technician to go through it.

Melodyne

I have not used my turntable in years but the other day I did and after setting the tone arm on the spinning record I noticed it moving towards the center after about thirty minutes it was practically at the record label is this normal?
Signed,
Grey hair stuck in an empty3 world

Hey the text above is my attempt at humor but the link is really a test tone and calibration vinyl LP