Converting LP's to CD's... finally! (advice welcome)
Converting LP's to CD's... finally! (advice welcome)
Well... haven't been on here in several days, so I'm WAY behind... and may - or may not - get caught up! Nothing incredibly fabulous happening here... except making some progress on some long-awaited projects. I missed Gulf Wars again. Damnit. CAN'T WAIT to go to the woods!
I have finally gathered enough info, hardware and 'free' software to begin converting my LP's to CD's! This project is begun - and will likely be ongoing for.... a long ass time! I've already replaced a lot of my "vital" music with purchased CD's... but also kept the vinyl copies. I have a LOT of rare vinyl/tapes, however, that can't be replaced - and in general, I have a moral constraint against paying for things twice ;)
Right now, I'm converting some of my Dad's *really classic* albums! I've probably had them for close to a DECADE so I figure he'd be pleased to have his records back now! (hee hee) Unlike an ex-wife or girlfriend, I promised I *would* give them back SOMEDAY.
This is my first major audio project on computer (believe it or not) and after some experimentation, I think I've reached a reasonable compromise on quality vs. file size. For some of the really classic and/or rare stuff I wanted the maximum *reasonable* quality, of course. I've got some room to play (2) 80 GB hard drives, but we're talking a SHITLOAD of music... so I plan to burn a huge number of CD's and clear most of it back off the hard drive.
The pre-amp is -unfortunately- a little noisy... then again... so are all these old LP's! I'm not even attempting to take out pops and hisses. I might try some of that later, but I'm just trying to get it all ripped and stored at this point.
I'm using a minimum of gear:
Kenwood linear tracking turntable
Bozak Madisson pre-amp
RCA-to-1/8" jack adapter
direct to audio input on my MAC G4
Using AUDACITY freeware:
I have a choice of .mp3 or .wav file export. Recording the LP's with sample rate 48000 Hz /16 bit settings - then exporting (HUGE) 16 bit .wav files at (about 10 MB per minute)! I open 'em in iTunes and convert to WAY smaller AAC files. I think the AAC files hold more tonal 'body' than an mp3 file.
The irritating thing is that I occasionally pick up somebody's cell phone or walkie talkie on this pre-amp! That's pretty bizarre. All things considered, however.... so far, so good.
Here's one question for those electronically inclined....
The turntable has a grounding wire built into the RCA plug. Because of the bizarre way I've got all this equipment set up in the crowded office, I just ran the ground wire to a steel fighting helm that happens to sit just below the turntable shelf. Does it need to be grounded to the preamp *specifically* - or will it be OK to ground it to the unrelated, non-electrical steel object?
Any useful audio tips welcome :)
Peace Out,
Tjarnar
Well... haven't been on here in several days, so I'm WAY behind... and may - or may not - get caught up! Nothing incredibly fabulous happening here... except making some progress on some long-awaited projects. I missed Gulf Wars again. Damnit. CAN'T WAIT to go to the woods!
I have finally gathered enough info, hardware and 'free' software to begin converting my LP's to CD's! This project is begun - and will likely be ongoing for.... a long ass time! I've already replaced a lot of my "vital" music with purchased CD's... but also kept the vinyl copies. I have a LOT of rare vinyl/tapes, however, that can't be replaced - and in general, I have a moral constraint against paying for things twice ;)
Right now, I'm converting some of my Dad's *really classic* albums! I've probably had them for close to a DECADE so I figure he'd be pleased to have his records back now! (hee hee) Unlike an ex-wife or girlfriend, I promised I *would* give them back SOMEDAY.
This is my first major audio project on computer (believe it or not) and after some experimentation, I think I've reached a reasonable compromise on quality vs. file size. For some of the really classic and/or rare stuff I wanted the maximum *reasonable* quality, of course. I've got some room to play (2) 80 GB hard drives, but we're talking a SHITLOAD of music... so I plan to burn a huge number of CD's and clear most of it back off the hard drive.
The pre-amp is -unfortunately- a little noisy... then again... so are all these old LP's! I'm not even attempting to take out pops and hisses. I might try some of that later, but I'm just trying to get it all ripped and stored at this point.
I'm using a minimum of gear:
Kenwood linear tracking turntable
Bozak Madisson pre-amp
RCA-to-1/8" jack adapter
direct to audio input on my MAC G4
Using AUDACITY freeware:
I have a choice of .mp3 or .wav file export. Recording the LP's with sample rate 48000 Hz /16 bit settings - then exporting (HUGE) 16 bit .wav files at (about 10 MB per minute)! I open 'em in iTunes and convert to WAY smaller AAC files. I think the AAC files hold more tonal 'body' than an mp3 file.
The irritating thing is that I occasionally pick up somebody's cell phone or walkie talkie on this pre-amp! That's pretty bizarre. All things considered, however.... so far, so good.
Here's one question for those electronically inclined....
The turntable has a grounding wire built into the RCA plug. Because of the bizarre way I've got all this equipment set up in the crowded office, I just ran the ground wire to a steel fighting helm that happens to sit just below the turntable shelf. Does it need to be grounded to the preamp *specifically* - or will it be OK to ground it to the unrelated, non-electrical steel object?
Any useful audio tips welcome :)
Peace Out,
Tjarnar