Topic: Digitizing from LP

[VerismoBari]

I am kindof new to all of this.  I have some old recordings from the 50's that are live recordings on LP and I am wondering what would be the best way to digitze them so that I can work on them on my computer?  Is is possible to record from the record player right into the computer or is there a better way?  Thanks.

[Krispy D]

I am kindof new to all of this.  I have some old recordings from the 50's that are live recordings on LP and I am wondering what would be the best way to digitze them so that I can work on them on my computer?  Is is possible to record from the record player right into the computer or is there a better way?  Thanks.

got a decent sound card with analog ins??  thats the easiest.  or an edirol ua 5 (pre digimod I think)  I'm not sure if it outputs usb after.  or any other audio capture device.  I've even made decent cd's from records using the griffin imic, but wouldn't recomend it if you have a decent capture device like a ua 5 at your disposal.

[Brian Skalinder]

Do you have a budget?  Do you already have any gear, i.e. turntable, phono stage, etc.?  Are any of the recordings otherwise available in updated formats (i.e. maybe someone else performed a HQ conversion some time ago - picking it up already digitized would be easiest)?

Single biggest impact on quality will probably be the turntable and phono stage.  After that, you want to add gain and perform the analog-to-digital conversion outside the PC.  Maybe float a budget and perhaps some will come up with specific recommendations.

[VerismoBari]

What kind of sound card would be good?  Also, why is it better to convert from analog to digital outside the computer rather than recording straight into the computer?  These LP's are opera vocals.  I have a decent turntable.  I can not spend a huge amount of money, unfortunately, either.  After I have them digitized I am going to work on them with a computer program to help change the pitch, diapason, formants etc..

[Brian Skalinder]

What kind of sound card would be good?  Also, why is it better to convert from analog to digital outside the computer rather than recording straight into the computer?

External soundcard's the way to go because the innards of PCs are inherently noisy (mainly electro magnetic inteference).  IME, when converting analog sources to digitial, the EMI from using an internal soundcard is NOT trivial.  Yeah, there are ways to clean up the EMI noise with software, but you're far better off preventing the EMI in the first place.

I can not spend a huge amount of money, unfortunately, either.

"Huge" amount of money means different things to different people.  An actual dollar amount will help.  If you don't need it for portable field recording (i.e. running off external batteries), the Edirol UA-25 is a good, reasonably priced option at ~$235.

Edit to add another reasonably priced external option:  M-Audio Audiophile USB, ~$150.

FWIW, I don't have experience with the M-Audio, but have minimal experience with the UA-25.

[VerismoBari]

Thank you for your advice.  I will look into getting that convertor. 
Is a pre-amp different than an amplifier like my NAD amplifier on my stereo?

[MattD]

For recording from an LP, you need some type of phono preamp. Many receivers have them built in and have line outputs (usually on RCA jacks). Then you take that signal and get it into your computer via one of the methods Brian suggested. If your amplifier is truely an amplifier (line in, speaker out), then a preamp is very different. Many NAD units are integrated amps, meaning they have a preamp stage. To tell, look at the back. If there's a jack that says "phono," you are golden as far as that part is concerned.

Having done this, I figured out why I don't like it. One of the "joys" of vinyl is the popping or scratchy sound that is inherent to the playback of a record. It's generally random based on dust, etc, unless you have a damaged LP. However, when digitizing, all of that noise has to be removed, or it's present on playback in the exact same place, every time. This aspect drove me nuts, so I shelved all of the vinyl until I can get a good analog setup and just enjoy them. Most of it is available on CD anyway.

[VerismoBari]

I noticed that the Edirol UA-25 descripton says it has a pre-amp already built in.  So I would not need to use my pre-amp on my NAD (which it does have as I looked) right?

[jeromejello]

i have been wanting to convert some old odd LPs and i thought it was going to be easiest to just use my taping gear.

run the phono out either through my receiver or directly into my ua-5 and then optical in on the jb3.  transfer to my pc via firewire where i can edit tracks and abnormalities as necessary.

maybe i am missing something?  i want to put GAT's EP on my zen.

[zowie]

I noticed that the Edirol UA-25 descripton says it has a pre-amp already built in.  So I would not need to use my pre-amp on my NAD (which it does have as I looked) right?

I don't think it has a phono preamp.  You need a phono preamp, not mic preamps.

[VerismoBari]

I noticed that the Edirol UA-25 descripton says it has a pre-amp already built in.  So I would not need to use my pre-amp on my NAD (which it does have as I looked) right?

I don't think it has a phono preamp.  You need a phono preamp, not mic preamps.

OK, so then I will use my NAD amplifier which has the built in pre-amp.  Thanks for your help.

[SparkE!]

Yes, you need a phono preamp.  Phono preamps have the RIAA equalization curve built in.  Othewise your recording will lack bass response.

[Roving Sign]

I've had decent results with something similar to this...if you're on the cheap...

http://cgi.ebay.com/REALISTIC-STEREO-PHONO-PREAMP_W0QQitemZ5850633447QQcategoryZ14974QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[VerismoBari]

Thanks for the ideas.  I think that should be able to use my NAD amp as it has a pre-amp setting in the back together with the Edirol UA-25.  I hope I can at any rate.  If that does not work I will look into something like this.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Agree with SparkE - gotta have the riaa eq.  Though I can't help but think good mic pre-amps are better then all but the best hifi pre amps.  I've been wanting to try the v3.

The M-audio Transit is a good usb audio device that should work well for this. They're around $80 on ebay.