Converting LPs to CDs

[Catherine]

Hello,
I have about 20 LP records and about ten 45 rpm records that I've uncovered from my mother's house. (They are a hoot! I can't find these recordings on CD these days.) I do have an old record player that will play them so I know they are playable, not warped, and do not have scratches. I'd like to convert them to CD. I've looked at B&H Audio/Video for the tools to do this. Looks like I'd have to make a good sized investment in equipment, time, and patience to make these conversions. Do you know of a company or person who does this kind of thing for a fee?
Thanks!
Catherine

[Chuck Engels]

You can get a USB turntable these days for about $100, that and Audacity (a free Audio Recording tool) is all you need.
Well, you will still need Windows Media Player or iTunes to put the music on the CD but that is about all.
The turntable probably comes with some software too.
I have a few tutorials in the products section on using Audacity to record music from the internet, the same applies to this.
http://astore.amazon.com/chuckengelsco- ... 2&preview=

[Chuck Engels]

There are other ways too.
You can connect your turntable to your sound card, or possibly to your amplifier and then to the sound card.
You may need a pre-amp if you don't use the amplifier and you don't want to blow out your sound card so you need to be careful.
You will also need a 1/8" to RCA stereo adapter.

I have connected my cassette player to the sound card and recorded many of my old cassettes with audacity, very easy, turntables are a different story.
I would think that someone here has probably done this before, but the USB turntable sure makes it easy

[Gooder]

Chuck's advice is right on the mark!

I also did a conversion from LP to CD for a client and I used Adobe Audition to take away the pops, clicks, and scratches from the album! If chuck, Steve and Ron are fine with it then I could upload a small sample of before and after!

I'm sure you can do the same with the free version of Audacity but Adobe audition has some real power!
If yoyu require any further help with how I did it then I will post a step by step instruction!

Cheers,
Lee

[Chuck Engels]

You can upload a sample to the gallery or post a link Lee, no problem, I would be very interested in hearing it too.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Apologies for the long post. The following is a straight lift from a UK website that details all that you need to do. With full acknowledgements to Rick Maybury.

PS. If I knew how to attach a file...perhaps one of the Moderators could oblige so that this post is a little more brief(?)

Edit: And I do not know the link hence the verbose posting. Sorry.

** I created a rtf document that can be opened with either WordPad or Microsoft Word, WordPad comes free with all PCs.
Hope you don't mind, Chuck **

http://muvipix.com/cpg/displayimage.php?pos=-1095


Edit: Thanks Chuck; I do not mind at all. In fact I was hoping that someone 'managing' the forum would do just that.

[Chuck Engels]

Very nice article John, thanks for posting it here.

We have 3 tutorials on recording with Audacity in the products section
http://muvipix.com/products.php?page=2& ... ubcat_id=6

[Gooder]

Phew! Just reaf that article from John, very good information!

Chuck, I have uploaded two samples of (before & after) with regards to Lp restoration!
It is in the gallery under Lee_gooder

Hope this link works and feel free to edit!
http://muvipix.com/cpg/displayimage.php?pos=-1094

All feedback welcome

Cheers Lee

[Chuck Engels]

Thanks Lee, I did edit the link because it just pointed to the last uploaded file. As soon as someone else uploaded a file it would have pointed to that one.
You need to actually go to the page where the file is and use the URL in the File Info section.

I will try to listen to this later tonight, thanks again

[Gooder]

Oh right, I understand now!

Thanks Chuck!
Lee

[Catherine]

Wow, again. I love this forum. That article is great. Will follow step by step.
Ok..I need to keep this simple. I have a turntable, it's ancient, but it was top notch at the time. It is a Technics SL-B200. Looks like it is only phono level so I will have to buy a Pre-amplifier plus USB interface. Then, there's the needle...this needle probably needs to be replaced. Opinons on pre-amp + needle versus new turntable?

Lee, I clicked on the link to the sound recordings and got an error message "file not found". Is it me?

One reviewer said that he cleaned each vinyl record with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol before the conversion. Does anyone have any recommendations on cleaning the vinyl?

I'm getting excited about making the conversions. Some of the recordings include: Captain Kangaroo's Merry, Merry Christmas, The Candy Man, some Dr. Seuss, Snow White...lots of other Disney stories. I also found an old John Denver album, some Beatles, and ABBA! Hurray for the 70's!
Thanks!
Catherine

[Gooder]

Hi Catherine,

The link works fine for me but I did get the same error message when I am not logged in to the forum. Best to log in and then re-try the link, it should work! If not, I can send you the files via email or I can put them on to a website for you to download!

Cheers,
Lee

[Chuck Engels]

I'm thinking that the $100 for the USB turntable will be pretty close to the price of the preamp and needle.

[RJ Johnston]

According to this article, you should just use distilled water and a lint-free cloth. Don't use alcohol. For a brush, the Discwasher is what I use and is recommended, along with some others:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_Disc ... eservation

[Catherine]

Hi All,
I finally purchased a USB turntable. I bought the Ion TTUSB05. I successfully connected the turntable and uploaded 2 vinyl records and am very happy. It took a bit of time to understand the process and some of the terminology as I'm not an audiophile. But, now I have my methodology down and am moving right along. I'm using Audacity to manage the process and do a bit of clean up on the files. Overall, a happy camper. I'm especially happy that the kids will finally be able to listen to these old records on cd or mp3. They were just gathering dust. I can't find these stories on cd to purchase these days. My sister and I spent a lot of time listening to records and learning to read with the story records.
Many more records to go!
Thanks for your help.
Catherine