Recording from Vinyl Recpds to CD via computer??

[Fred Layman]

Fellows, I want to record my steel guitar record collection and tapes to digital CDs. I'm sure that this item has been covered on the Recording page, but in a fast search I couldn't find an entry.

What do I need between the record player and the computer to make the transition from analogue to digital? What "cleanup devices" do I need in the circuit to eliminate minor defects in the records for recording to CD?

Radio Shack now has a record player that I understand has the necessary electronics built in to record directly to CD via the computer. Have any of you had any experience with that, or other such devices?

[Chris Tarrow]

Yes you can buy a USB turntable, and you would need some type of computer software to capture the audio in WAV or AIFF format.

Or if you already have a turntable and some sort of computer interface, this box does what you need:

http://www.radialeng.com/di-j33.htm

As for cleaning up the recording, not sure what you have to spend, but Bias SoundSoap is very straightforward and effective:

http://www.bias-inc.com/products/soundSoap2/

It's $129, you might want to check out a demo version. I know of other noise reduction software but it's quite a bit more expensive.

I capture the whole album to Peak LE (also made by Bias) and then I can mark where I want the CD tracks to start and I can burn the whole thing, much nicer than having to capture and edit each song and then arrange on a playlist to burn.

[Jack Stoner]

Fred, NEVER go directly from some external audio sounce to CD. First "record" to the hard drive (in wav format for full fidelity) and then burn the songs to CD(s). After you have them burned to CD you can delete them from the hard drive.

If you don't have a "recording program", the free Audacity program will work well. AUDACITY

When you burn the CD's, use CD-R media, NOT CD-RW media, avoid Memorex brand and burn the CD's at a relatively slow speed - 12X or lower (I use 8X as my audio CD recording "standard"). Also DO NOT use paper labels, either write on the CD's with a Sharpie pen or if you want to get fancy certain model Epson's will print directly on ink-jet printable CD's. The "lightscribe" CD labeling is a farce - it will take 5 minutes or more for a very simple label and they are hard to read.

I have an Interface document that may help. It doesn't reference the new "USB" connected turntables but it may help. CLICK ME

This has also been covered in detail many times in the Computer section of the forum.

[Ron !]

http://www.polderbits.com/

....it has noise reduction software included.Not only that but the last time I downloaded it it had a 14 days trial version.A little bit of a comp. wizard can put a lot of music on a harddrive in 14 days.

Good luck.

Ron

[Al Marcus]

Fred--I have Polderbits and used it to put all my old cassette tapes on the hard drive. I plugged the tape recorder to the line in on Computer.It just as well could have been a Record player,with the right connections.It is so simple and easy to use, has noise reduction, equalizer, you can cut the long silece parts, ends and beginning. Once on the hard drive, I can put any of them on a CD. It is ok for what it is designed to do.You can also hook your guitar to the "Line In" on the computer and record. Try the demo....al.:)

[Jan Dunn]

Roni Music's Audio Companion will record the vinyl into WAV but in the process removes scratches and pops AND auomatically separates each song into a separate file. Very handy function. Also has built in utilities to change the volume and other aspects of the recorded files.

highly recommended.

[Al Marcus]

Jan-That sounds like a very good software to me. That could be the solution...al.

[Jack Stoner]

I've had problems with some programs that separate songs, e.g. I recorded one side of a 33 1/3 album with 5 songs and wound up with 31 "songs" when it was automatically separated.

Because of automatic separation problems with a couple programs, I now do it manually with Goldwave audio editor. The noise reduction process for pops and clicks in Goldwave is also very good and does not affect frequency range when the reduction is applied, like some other programs do.

[Ron !]

Polderbits is a good program if You want to put a whole side of an album in your hard drive.
As long as you have enough GB's free on your hard-drive.
Like Al said....it does the trick and with the crackle and Pop filter(man this makes me hunger for "Rice Crispy's")it can't be beat.

Ron

[Fred Layman]

Thanks fellas. You've been a great help.