Transferring LP's to CD's

[Jack O'Malley]

I've come to the sad realization that I'd better start transferring my1000+ album library to CD. What is the best software to accomplish this without compromizing the quality during transfer. Also, sampling rate suggestions,
(yes, I have a fine B&O turntable with an equally expensive cartridge, but I need to burn this stuff in order to listen to any of it on an Ipod, and I can't STAND the quality of an Itune download. Any suggestins?):confused:

[Matt I]

I'd love to know as well.

What software is out there, and what features are included?

What physical adapters are available and which is going to do the best job.

Also, where can this stuff be purchased, or found?

[Grant]

Well, I use Adobe Audition because I like the ability to exact professional results. Are you looking to master your stuff, or do a straight transfer?

The sample rate/bit-depth you use is dependent on the soundcard and software you choose.

I don't have an iPod, so I don't know which files types it takes.

[SkyLounger]

I've been using Audio Cleaning Lab 3.0 from Magix.

There's an auto cleaning wizard once you've transferred the files or you can tweak the cleaning parameters yourself.

It's worked very well for me...

[Doonie]

Sony Sound Forge 8 is a good wav editor.

Besides the turntable, stylus and cartridge, the quality of the analogue-to-digital converter you use will determine how your resulting files sound.

I wish I had one of these sound cards:

http://www.lynxone.com/lynxone.html

[Grant]

I use the M-Audio 0404.

[kda]

You may want to consider a stand-alone cd recorder. I have an old Pioneer Elite PDR-W37 that works fine. After recording you can always use any software you want on it -- or just use the CD as copied..

[downhill]

I use the M-Audio 0404.

Do you mean the EMU 0404? I ask because I may be looking for another card. I'm using the M-Audio 192 card now and wonder if there isn't something better.

[Grant]

Do you mean the EMU 0404? Oops! Yes.:D

[ericc2000]

You may want to consider a stand-alone cd recorder. That's the way I do it.

[I Am The Lolrus]

are you transfering to cd or computer? for future or for now? If you just want the convenience of listening to records on a portable player, a cd recorder or w/e would work. If you plan to make this a backup/archival thing then go through the computer at a high sampling rate with a good soundcard. 24/96 will serve you well.

[Grant]

That's the way I do it. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. AQ standalone is easy to use. A computer will give you more exacting results. You can control every phase.

[Heuer]

I use a Griffin iMic ADC rather than the PC soundcard as it is external and less susceptible to digital noise. It is also inexpensive ($40), has great performance and will go up to 24 bit at 192k. Finally it uses USB so I can leave it connected to the pre-amp and take a laptop to the hi-fi for my ND's.

For splitting the wav to individual tracks I use Spin It Again software as it automates the process (important if you are doing a lot of records) while still allowing editing if required. http://www.acoustica.com/spinitagain/ Free to try - at least for three albums.

Performance of this combo is excellent and ND's done from an SME with Koetsu Platinum at 24 bit and 96k stand comparison with the original vinyl.

[CD Heaven West]

Stand alone recorders are the way to go when you want to transfer vinyl, tape, etc. Since it has to be done in real time anyway, this is the way to go. Tascam makes some nice professional recorders.
Bruce

[Metoo]

I do not usually transfer Lps to digital (although I've done it a couple of times), yet the technology for this or for doing backups of your HiRez discs is usually the same: record unto a computer using a good soundcard with a flexible/reliable recording program.

I use WaveLab 5.01a (the most recent version is 6, IIRC), other people here prefer Adobe Audition because they are used to it, prefer its characteristics given the type of things they do to the files, or just because it is American (closer to home) and WaveLab (by Steinberg) is European.

A basic thing when recording at high resolutions if you plan to end up taking your receordings to CD is to record at a frequency that is a multiple of 44.1 kHz (88.2, 176.4), retouch or declick the file and then downsample.

[Grant]

I use WaveLab 5.01a (the most recent version is 6, IIRC), other people here prefer Adobe Audition because they are used to it, prefer its characteristics given the type of things they do to the files, or just because it is American (closer to home) and WaveLab (by Steinberg) is European.
I use Audition because Cool Edit was the first worthy software I ever used. It was solid and very easy to use. It has nothing to do with it being an American software. Sound Forge is American, but I don't like it.

A basic thing when recording at high resolutions if you plan to end up taking your receordings to CD is to record at a frequency that is a multiple of 44.1 kHz (88.2, 176.4), retouch or declick the file and then downsample.
And, if you have to use 96k or 192k, downsample to 88.2k or 176.4k, respectively, before going to 44.1k.

[toptentwist]

Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. AQ standalone is easy to use. A computer will give you more exacting results. You can control every phase.

I use a CD-RW in my Pioneer standalone recorder.

I then import the tracks on the CD-RW as wav files into a computer
where they can be edited using a tool of your choice.

I then erase the CD-RW and repeat.

[51nocaster]

Please don't take this as a threadcrap, but why do so many people find it necessary to do these vinyl to digital transfers?

[floyd]

Please don't take this as a threadcrap, but why do so many people find it necessary to do these vinyl to digital transfers?


Many times the LP is considered the finenst sounding version of a particular recording. By doing their own "needle drop" they get a better reproduction of that LP mastering then the available CD version, check out many of the Beatles threads. Also sometime there is stuff that is just still not out on CD.

[mavisgold]

And, if you have to use 96k or 192k, downsample to 88.2k or 176.4k, respectively, before going to 44.1k.
please explain
I understand going from 88.2 to 44.1 but how does adding another odd step help?

[Metoo]

I use Audition because Cool Edit was the first worthy software I ever used. It was solid and very easy to use. It has nothing to do with it being an American software. Sound Forge is American, but I don't like it.
Thanks for pointing this out. I did mention people being used to the software before mentioning the source of the software. I mentioned the software coming from the U.S. or Europe not as a this vs. that point, but based on the idea that maybe a more local software was easier to find and get support with. See, for me WaveLab is more local than Audition and I got to know it before so I tend to favor it. In any case, I also find it less complicated probably because it has less options outside of what I normally use it for.

And, if you have to use 96k or 192k, downsample to 88.2k or 176.4k, respectively, before going to 44.1k.
What Grant said. Thanks, Grant. :)

[Metoo]

please explain
I understand going from 88.2 to 44.1 but how does adding another odd step help?
Grant referred to the case where you have mistakenly recorded and declicked at 96/24, or when - as he has pointed out at least once - you have been handed a file at 96/24 to downsample to 44.1.

Also, for example, I usually record at 192/24 and then (often, not always) downsample to 96/24. If all I have is a 96/24 file from my recording session and I ever want to burn a CD for my car of the same material I'd have to go Grant's route, or go through the whole process of recording the album again.

At the end of the day, evidently, the best procedure, if you are going for 44.1 would be to downsample from multiples of this resolution as I mentioned before.

[ShawnMcCann]

Please don't take this as a threadcrap, but why do so many people find it necessary to do these vinyl to digital transfers?

Same reason I used to copy my LPs to cassette tapes in the 70s and 80s: so I can listen in the car, at work, while jogging, etc. For home listening, LPs usually sounded better than pre-recorded cassettes and the artwork was usually better.

[JBStephens]

Please don't take this as a threadcrap, but why do so many people find it necessary to do these vinyl to digital transfers?

Because once you have done so, you don't have to ever play the album again, and risk damage to it. Not to mention you don't have to go through the whole LP playing ritual - the cleaning , stylus care, handling of the record, getting up after 20 minutes to change sides, etc. etc.

Maybe that's one of the reasons vinyl sounds better... after all that work you're gonna ENJOY it, bub! LOL!

[ffracer]

On a total unrelated note, there once was a Formula 1 Grand Prix and Indycar driver from Italy named Bruno Giacomelli. The British team he drove for (Marlboro McLaren) relogoed his name on his car to "Jack O'Malley", the name of the thread starter.