LP to MP3 Conversion: What Hardware and Software Do I Need?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chi Meson
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To convert vinyl LPs and EPs to digital, essential hardware includes a turntable, potentially a preamp (if not built-in), a sound card with line-level input, and appropriate cables (twin phono to twin phono and twin phono to 3.5mm stereo jack). For software, any sound recording application will suffice; Windows users often utilize the built-in recorder for CD-quality capture, followed by iTunes or Winamp for MP3 conversion. Mac users can consider the Griffin iMic 2, which simplifies the process by eliminating the need for a preamp and includes compatible software. This solution is noted for being effective and reasonably priced.
Chi Meson
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Sombody must've done this:

It is time to convert some of my vinyl LPs and EPs to digital. Aside from the turntable, what hardware and software will I need for the process. I use a Mac, but I have acess to PCs, so who's got tips and info?

Many aunties (TIAs) to you all.

Chi
 
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Hardware: You will possibly need a preamp to go between your turntable and the sound card, depending on whether your turntable has one built in. You'll need a soundcard with a line level input, a cable to go from your turntable to the pre-amp, (twin phono to twin phono cable) and a cable to go from your pre-amp to your sound card (most likely a twin phono to 3.5mm stereo jackplug).

Software: I'm not up with Macs, but any sound recorder will do. I use the one built into Windows to capture at CD quality, and then use either iTunes or Winamp to squish it down to mp3 if needed.
 
"Sound card".
Sounds "PC"ish. Is there hardware that has a USB or firewire output? I googled this topic but got too many thousands of results. What's a good analog to digital interface for this purpose?

DAK industries has a nifty hardware/software deal, but it's not set up for Mac.

C'mon Mac people.
 
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic2/

Something like that will do the job nicely, a mate has one for her iBook and it seems to do the trick, not too expensive either. And the software that comes with it supposedly does away with the need for a pre-amp too.
 
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brewnog said:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic2/

Something like that will do the job nicely, a mate has one for her iBook and it seems to do the trick, not too expensive either. And the software that comes with it supposedly does away with the need for a pre-amp too.
That looks like just the thing! Thanks in retrospect.

Well then.

That was fun.

Umm...

...thread closed.
 
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