Best Method - LP's to CD's

I have an Ion USB turntable to turn LPs into digital files. Only thing is that it sucks. I have nothing but trouble with it, and the software is very finicky. I've got 400 LPs, so I'm looking for a better way. I noticed one unit that burns the LP to a CD without the need for a computer, but then I noticed it's also an Ion product. It may be fine, but I'm jaded now. So anyone have an opinion on this? I like the idea of no computer needed, as I like to have CDs, not just dig files, but I can't seem to find a similar unit from another company. I'm also looking for something that is plug and play, or very close to it, meaning no GRM DIY solutions, as I'm not smart enough to handle that! What say those of you with experience in this area?

Good turn table to PC sound card: Record. Software to clean up clicks, skips and digitally remaster. Write out to CD. Convert to MP3, put on thumb drive, etc. That's what I did.

I have a Philips CD recorder at home that records like the old school Casette decks. I can use an optical cable and do a digital recording in not that much time (from CD to CD), or I can do an analog recording. This is kind of annoying, because IIRC you have to stop it for each track, but it still works pretty well and is relatively straightforeward.

So look for a CD recorder on Ebay? It looks like a regular stereo component.

Sadly, a no-pc solution puts you into $$$ DJ equipment i fear. Instead:

http://behringer.com/EN/Products/UFO202.aspx

buy this, it even has grounding post. use your preferred turntable instead of the ION.

enjoy~

Dr. Hess wrote: Good turn table to PC sound card: Record. Software to clean up clicks, skips and digitally remaster. Write out to CD. Convert to MP3, put on thumb drive, etc. That's what I did.

this... just make sure to use a quality sound card... can even be USB like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Creative-Labs-Sound-Blaster-Extigy-/221315714690?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338771ce82

my dad did the same thing with his old LP's as he didn't want to move them again

And watch your sample and compression rates. Getting more songs onto a drive means lower quality sound.

Good turntable, to a good external USB A/D converter, then into whatever software you choose. Bonus points if you want to use some DAW software to address imperfections in the vinyl or tweak the sound.

I would just listen to it on vinyl as nature intended..

I would just torrent it in lossless and go from there.

donalson wrote:

Dr. Hess wrote: Good turn table to PC sound card: Record. Software to clean up clicks, skips and digitally remaster. Write out to CD. Convert to MP3, put on thumb drive, etc. That's what I did.

this... just make sure to use a quality sound card... can even be USB like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Creative-Labs-Sound-Blaster-Extigy-/221315714690?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338771ce82 my dad did the same thing with his old LP's as he didn't want to move them again

you guys want to come over and get this set up for me? Not. Plug. And. Play. Really, I'm a tard when it comes to this stuff. I don't even know what you guys are talking about. But thanks for trying to help.

USB A/D converter? Torrent? Lossless? What the hell are you guys talking about? Are you guys really trying to help me, or just show off your own knowledge? Seriously, I need something I can plug in and go. I already have a setup I don't understand.

There seems to be a good bit of knowledgeable people replying here, so maybe I should ask a different question.
My sons computer and mine both run off of the same same version of the same operating system.
The software that comes with the Ion turntable I have runs on his PC but on mine the recordings come out all distorted and jumbled. I can't use his PC to do this for a number of reasons. But if I could figure out why it doesn't work on mine I would use what I have. I've asked Ion and gotten no response. I've gone on forums related to this software, made changes based on what I learned, and didn't solve the problem. I suspect there is a setting in my computer that is wrong, but I can't find it. This is my problem. If I was more knowledgeable about this stuff, I could probably figure it out, but I'm not. So this is why using another method that is just as complicated isn't going to help me.

Distortion could be too high of a gain from the source. "Jumbled" as if it's like a shuffling CD could be time sampling settings in the software (if allowed).

I reccomend this and a good quality regular turntable to a PC. Musician's Friend is practically giving them away as I think they're discontinued. Priced half original price and half that for returned ones. I love mine and use it to record my bass to my laptop.

I'm guessing (and hoping) you're not looking to eliminate ALL of the clicks and pops from the vinyl recording and tube tech helps capture the analog sound before it's converted to "one's and zero's". Keeps the "character", if you know what I mean.

In reply to phaze1todd:

Thanks. I've messed a lot with all of the settings, including gain, and that's not it. When I say distortion, I'm not referring to what you would normally call distortion. This is really distorted, un-listenable. I get the feeling that it is some kind of incompatibility between the software and the computer, but I can't pin it down. When you play the LP while recording, it sounds find, but then when you play it back it's not fine.
Does that gizmo in the link need software? Does the software come with it?

In reply to phaze1todd:

That ART preamp doesn't have a Phono RIAA preamp that I can see. If he doesn't want to use the USB turntable, he'll probably use an older TT without one. Plus, it doesn't have any RCA inputs just 1/4" jacks. Not really meant for vinyl, but for instruments or mics.

You probably don't actually have to use the ION software. Get rid of that and use whatever sound recorder software came with your OS, assuming there is one. Or download a freeware product.

Your issues with the software may be related to overall system performance. Is your processor and RAM adequate for the software?

I plugged a line out from my receiver into my computer's sound card and played some of my LP's on my old school turntable. Recorded each album side as a .wav file, then split the .wav into song-sized .wav's and manually named each track. I then used burner software to make the CD. Definitely not "Plug-N-Play." The results were awesome, however.

Its been a while, but at some point I did check to make sure my computer had the necessary capability to run the software.
My receiver, while high quality, is old school, circa 1975. So I'm not sure how I'd ever connect it to a sound card, but I guess as long as I have the Ion turntable that doesn't matter, correct?
You mentioned other software. Can you recommend something? The computer runs on XP, but I never checked to see if it had any related software.

bravenrace wrote: My receiver, while high quality, is old school, circa 1975. So I'm not sure how I'd ever connect it to a sound card...

That's a simple matter of finding the right patch cord. If you go on Parts-Express's website or similar, you can find a cable that goes from stereo RCA-type plugs to a 1/8" stereo mini plug, which will plug right into the "line-in" jack on your computer.

Use the Tape out if you have one. Or a Pre amp out.

And for Recording it, you should be able to find a good program. Does anyone know anything about Audacity?

I would record in FLAAC. It's what someone else referred to as Lossless. MP3s take samples of the music and other formats take all the information, therefore the MP3 actually loses a small amount of the information. Since Vinyl is really 'lossless' (because its analog), audiophiles like lossless compression (FLAAC file format, but there are some others too) to maintain the fidelity.

In reply to bravenrace:

Yes, software comes with it (odd, I don't see it listed on link). I'm not near my laptop, but I think mine came with either AV Linux or Cubase.

In reply to RossD:

RCA to 1/4 adapters will solve that. As a matter of fact some of the reviews show users using them with success. Again, I'm not near my laptop which has the software on it, but I remember seeing an EQ setting for the RIAA curve.

In reply to phaze1todd:

It's not really close to the plug and play solution he is looking for.

I'd probably do it that way however, but I'm into this kind of stuff.

But running 12ax7 at 9 volts... I'd rather have 12au7 at 250v, although that's really far from plug and play.

What benefit would patching my receiver into the computer have, since my turntable has a USB output?

I thought you didn't like the USB turntable. Other than being able to use a different table without the USB, none. Sorry for the confusion.

Same here.

TPB?