Good software / shareware program for converting vinyl to mpe3?

[RTSDaddy2]

Does anybody know of one? My father-in-law is in town, wants to start experimenting with this.  We'll probably head to  best buy later on, so  a quick respnse would  be appreciated.  Thanks!

[DaveMMR]

Well first off, do you have a turntable that you can hook up to RCA inputs without the ground  or a preamp?   Not going to get far without that.  You also need a Y-adapter or similar to connect the red/white RCAs to the headphone-sized input jack in the back of your computer.

Basically, any sound recording software can do a decent job.  Look for ones specifically for recording analog that can take noise (hiss), crackles and pops out.  You also want something that'll let you edit tracks (so you can record continuously) before finalizing.

Of course, the software can only make your recordings sound as good as the records you use, so make sure you wipe and clean each one (circular motions, not like a CD) before recording.  Remember, you're live when you hit that button. 

Personally, I used a program that came bundled with Windows Media Edition.   Does the trick.

[RTSDaddy2]

Thanks for all the info Dave.  He does not have the necessary wiring yet - we were going to try to pick up all the stuff before he goes back to Kansas....does have the turntable though.

Is there a similar program out for XP Service Pack 2 that you - or anyone - would suggest?

[headkaze]

I would go for Audacity.

[DaveMMR]

For freeware or shareware, you can look into Audacity (as headkaze pointed out) and GoldWave.   And the Windows Media Edition that I was referring to was a downloadable add-on for Windows XP that you can get from them from the official website (it was like the old Microsoft Plus!).  It has other tools too, but I wouldn't go nuts paying the $20 just for the program.

Again, you will not get far with transferring your records if you can't hook it up properly to the computer.  If you have that pesky ground wire (it looks like a "U" connector and is traditionally screwed down), you will get a loud humming distortion that will block out the music.  You can try screwing it down to a case screw, though I've never personally tried that.   You can also hook it up to a receiver and hook the receiver up to your sound card.

They have turntables now that have built-in pre-amps (no ground wire) and ones that even hook up via USB.  If you're in the market for a new phonograph and you're serious about transferring a lot of vinyl to CD-R, I would look into it.   However, for a one-off job, it's probably not worth the expense.

[RTSDaddy2]

I'll ask about the groundwire...not sure, and he may not be either until he gets home to Kansas.

In either case, I am very greatful for the help....I told them I knew we could count on this board for expert advice!

[XyloSesame]

I'd suggest you check out a preamp with USB, use your own turntable (or buy a good one), and download Audacity as previously mentioned. The built-in USB phonos are generally regarded as crap, though they might be fine for someone who's only testing the waters...

A couple o' preamps specifically designed for phono/USB:
ART USB Phono Plus
iVinyl

[DaveMMR]

I'd suggest you check out a preamp with USB, use your own turntable (or buy a good one)

That's a pretty good turntable.  For $10 more, you get one with a built-in preamp so you can't go wrong.  Here's a product/price list..

I use a direct-drive Numark DJ turntable (with standard Shure needle) and it sounds pretty good connected to the sound card.   Plus it has a one-touch "play-backwards" button, which makes Prince's "Darling Nikki" more fun to listen to (you'd appreciate that Xylo).  It was $400 when I bought it but has come down in price considerably.

[RTSDaddy2]

I'll pass on the turntable info.

After about a half hour of tinkering (partly because the line in on the computer front doesn't work),  I finally had my first tape copied to the hard drive using Audacity.  The more I "fiddle" with it, the better I like the program.  It looks intimidating, BUT the Wiki is very well written and - once I had the plugs in the right place - made it very easy to use, I thought.

My "Vixen - Rev It Up" tape will soon be nicely preserved to CD.  YAY!

[Kevin Mullins]

I know it's been said many times already.... but Audacity is all I use for that kind of stuff.

You don't really need a preamp since you can raise and lower input levels up in the software itself. Clicks hisses and pops can also be cleaned up with the software..... good stuff.
I've done this with both non-amped and pre-amped record players. (tapes too from the tape deck, etc)

Just finished doing some of this stuff myself after having to buy an original album from the UK just to get a good .mp3 made from it.  Alexei Sayle - Part IV (b side) for anyone that knows who that is. 

Good fun !! 

[XyloSesame]

Just finished doing some of this stuff myself after having to buy an original album from the UK just to get a good .mp3 made from it.  Alexei Sayle - Part IV (b side) for anyone that knows who that is.

Didn't his mate's dog make a mess on the carpet or something? 

[Kevin Mullins]

Just finished doing some of this stuff myself after having to buy an original album from the UK just to get a good .mp3 made from it.  Alexei Sayle - Part IV (b side) for anyone that knows who that is.

Didn't his mate's dog make a mess on the carpet or something? 

He,he ... not sure ... but it wouldn't surprise me.