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Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4088
Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
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 Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject: Old LPs |
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I'm not an audio techie so can someone tell me (in non techie vocablary) how I can convert a huge stack of old LP's, dating back to the seventies, to a listenable format, given that we don't have a deck anymore?
Can this be done at home by buying some gear, or do we need to find someone to do this for us?
Help please, we need the space! 
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Minx
To err is human, to forgive - canine. |
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colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Posts: 1216
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| Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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The easiest way to do this is to buy an Ion USB record turntable (Maplin sells them for around £100).
Install the software that comes with it (Audacity which is very good indeed, and can be installed on PCs and Macs) and the connect the USB plug. Play the record, hit the Record in Audacity and you're digitising. Don't worry about the breaks between tracks because Audacity will do that afterwards. Then you export direct to iTunes or out to CD.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=98232 |
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Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4088
Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:06 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for that Colby. As these records are quite old the sound quality may not be that good. Will this software be able to enhance the sound?
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Minx
To err is human, to forgive - canine. |
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Rachel
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:16 am Post subject: |
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| My advice Minx is to buy a proper turntable and use it to play and enjoy your records. If you need more space - throw something useless away-like your TV - change your sofa for a bean-bag - rip out your kitchen ... anything but don't get rid of your LPs. Each LP, no doubt carefuly chosen has so much more beyond the music. |
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MadeinSurrey
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3130
Location: The Beautiful South
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:28 am Post subject: |
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That's good advice - no way would I get rid of my LP's! There are so many memories there, each one lovingly chosen, even if now they may seem bizarre choices or, frankly, just naff! Somehow putting them on a pc or transferring to cd would just not be right.
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MiS |
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RockitRon
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:36 am Post subject: |
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Excuse me a minute while I cover my wife's ears...
...and endorse what Rachel and MiS have said. Most definitely do not throw out/dispose of your old LPs, irrespective of how much space they take up and how little they get played now. Even quite worn ones have a much warmer and more satisfying sound than CDs, downloads and transfers to mp3. Plus there's the joy of being able to read the sleevenotes and lyrics without a magnifying glass or sunglasses.
Visit a hi-fi shop (they do still exist), ask for a demonstration and buy the best turntable you can afford. It should last for 20 years and will pay for itself in love to your ears and soul well before then.
If you want to transfer to mp3/ipod via your pc then the same rule applies. Spending a little more than the Ion and other turntables advertised in the weekend papers will reap much better sound quality, with or without all the "cleaning" software (better without). This one is apparently very good - http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3378
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Ron |
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Minx
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4088
Location: France/Spain/Peterborough/Tenerife
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:19 am Post subject: |
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Dear God ..... I'd better not let my husband read this thread. It's taken me 13 years to get them from the bedroom onto a shelf in the garage!
Seriously though, we weren't planning to get rid of them, just make them portable so we can take a trip down memory lane whilst in the car and on the boat.
What reminded me about this was listening to Janis Ian singing 17 on R2 last night between 7.00pm and 8.00pm. The backing was so sadly lacking compared with the original and it reminded me that I have 2 Janis Ian LP's in our stack. Then I got to thinking about the others I used to have..... and now I can't wait to get started.
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Minx
To err is human, to forgive - canine. |
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colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:30 am Post subject: |
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| Minx wrote: | | Thanks for that Colby. As these records are quite old the sound quality may not be that good. Will this software be able to enhance the sound? |
Yes. Audacity has lots of filters that will help to remove "pop" and "crackle". Obviously, it's in the nature of the format that you're going to still hear some surface noise but you'll be able to eliminate the really hard stuff as well as enhancing the EQ a bit.
Of course, I would second what others have said in that I wouldn't advocate to anyone that they rid themselves of their vinyl collection unless they really have to. Bear in mind that almost all good quality (rated X+X in Record Collector Magazine fashion) are now worth more than they were when bought. And I do like the sound of vinyl when properly reproduced.
However, I get a lot of satisfaction out of hearing 40-year-old records on my iPod when on a car or train journey - or even at my desk on iTunes!
| RockitRon wrote: | | ant to transfer to mp3/ipod via your pc then the same rule applies. Spending a little more than the Ion and other turntables advertised in the weekend papers will reap much better sound quality, with or without all the "cleaning" software (better without). |
The more expensive (£200 plus) Ion models are impressive. I set one up for a friend in which it was to feed a MacBook Pro running Apple Compressor 3 audio production softare and the results are very good indeed, especially when a higher sampling rate is applied to the MP3 output files.
PS: I love Janis Ian's earlier work. A favourite of mine from the "Seventeen" era is "Tea and Sympathy" (I think that's what it's called) - Pass the tea and sympathy for the good old days long gone - which is such a poignant and happy/sad song.
Last edited by colby on Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:36 am; edited 1 time in total |
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RockitRon
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:36 am Post subject: |
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The compression of sound frequencies required in transferring to CD, and even more so when you go to mp3/i-pod, is the reason for the loss of "backing". That's why vinyl still sounds so good.
Size and portability equals compromise of sound. Do it for music on the go, but keep a turntable for the home! 
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Ron |
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colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: |
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| RockitRon wrote: | The compression of sound frequencies required in transferring to CD, and even more so when you go to mp3/i-pod, is the reason for the loss of "backing". That's why vinyl still sounds so good.
Size and portability equals compromise of sound. Do it for music on the go, but keep a turntable for the home! |
It does indeed, but the relative differences are no more appropriate than it is to view video as MPEG2 on a DVD. MPEG2 is the result of heavy compression of the video and audio streams, but if done properly most people can't tell the difference. It's not quite the case with high definition MPEG4 streams, but that's a different story.
I've digitised lots of vinyl audio for myself and others and if done with care the results are such that very few people can tell the difference. |
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RockitRon
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:41 am Post subject: |
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Thank you colby. I bow to your superior technical knowledge (which isn't difficult, 'cos I have virtually none) 
I bought a dedicated hi-fi CD/HD recorder and do mine that way. I looked after my LPs, and never lent them out (well, I did one, and never got it back, which taught me a good lesson) so they have survived without the substantial signs of wear that might require filtering.
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Ron |
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colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Posts: 1216
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| Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:56 am Post subject: |
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| RockitRon wrote: | Thank you colby. I bow to your superior technical knowledge (which isn't difficult, 'cos I have virtually none)
I bought a dedicated hi-fi CD/HD recorder and do mine that way. I looked after my LPs, and never lent them out (well, I did one, and never got it back, which taught me a good lesson) so they have survived without the substantial signs of wear that might require filtering. |
You're right about the depth and presence you get from good quality vinyl. The real problem is the way that it has been treated by many people - which is tragic really.
A few years back I spent £300.00 on a mint, first-edition boxed set of The Beatles "Let It Be", including the very rare Get Back book and with everything in pristine condition with the LP unplayed. I'd love to put it on a turntable and listen to it knowing that it would sound just like the day it was pressed - but I just don't have the nerve (it's recently been valued at £450 and I've been offered £400).
I do have another such set (not quite in pristine condition) which I bought upon its release in 1970, and even though it's a bit worn it's still a good match for the CD release. I have to say, though, that the more recently digitised and remixed "Let It Be Naked" was superbly mastered.
I do love Vinyl, but I'm no philistine because I just love the freedom that iTunes gives me when feeding a properly set up audio system especially on a home network.
So, back on topic - yes, digitise the vinyl but don't chuck 'em out! |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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| Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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I appear to be the odd one out here..  I have a damn great pile of LPs collected by myself, missus Santa Fe and those ones which you seem to acquire over the years! like Live at Leeds... I never bought that.
But I'd happily get rid of the lot! they take up too much space and when you play'em, side 1's over in no time compared to CD..
I do have some I wouldn't dispose of though including my very first LP bought for me Christmas 1959 and the first one I bought in the 60s ( Little Deuce Coupe by the Beach Boys )
No, they're ok to listen to once every five years but I'd be happy without them... 
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RockitRon
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:53 am Post subject: |
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| colby wrote: |
I do love Vinyl, but I'm no philistine because I just love the freedom that iTunes gives me when feeding a properly set up audio system especially on a home network. |
I do too, and am in the process of loading my i-pod Classic which I have on random shuffle through my hifi. It's not without its imperfections - despite using the various sound settings and adjustments on itunes there is still quite a variation in volume between tracks - those taken off older CDs are quiet and some newer ones can be heard half a mile away. Also the output of the i-pod is very low - despite using a Belkin lead I have to route it through one of my old recorders (as a pre-amp) to get sound out through any of the amplifier inputs.
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Ron |
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nod
Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Anyone got any software that will automate any of the LP to Mp3 process eg automatically adjust volume, split tracks etc ? |
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Angus McCoatup
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 221
Location: , Location, Location
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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I too have an Ion USB turntable which I bought just after Christmas 2007 (as no one was kind enough to buy me one as a prezzie!) and have been slowly digitising my vinyl collection.
It really is just to have music on the move though. The Ion also has a phono output for connection via a conventional amplifier as well so the vinyl can still be listened to in the normal way.
It is a very laborious process though. You have to record each side of the LP in real time, not like the 60 seconds it takes to rip a CD in Media Player, and then use the Audacity software to separate and label each track cutting out the 3 to 5 seconds between tracks. Also, Audacity saves it as a WAV file so you need to download free a software called Lame which does the WAV to MP3 conversion.
I also find that trying to use the software to get rid of the crackles etc will also reduce the quality of the music itself. I prefer to hear the digitised version as it would be on a turntable and not so clinical that it just sounds like a CD or MP3. If your vinyl is that badly deteriorated then it's probably not worth converting. |
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colby
Joined: 06 Feb 2009
Posts: 1216
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| Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Angus McCoatup wrote: | | Also, Audacity saves it as a WAV file so you need to download free a software called Lame which does the WAV to MP3 conversion. |
The Lame plug doesn't actually do the conversion, it just activates the means to do it due to licensing issues within Audacity. It's best to digitise at 48kHz 16-bit as a WAV (on PCs, AIFF on Macs) within Audacity and then convert to MP3. There's loads of good software that will do the latter.
There's a good piece of software called Spin Doctor that will clean up vinly scratches - it does it better than Audacity. |
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