Transfer LP vinyl to CD - a simple way?

[jhundt]

Is there an easy way to burn CDs of my old records without buying expensive software or hardware? I guess I could just play the record-player into the line-in, but don't I need an RIAA pre-amp or something between the record player and the disc? I know this probably sounds like a dumb question to you computer guys, but the truth is I have never burned a CD (data, music, or any type) and I don't even know how to download music from the web. My computer has a CD writer - my son uses it all the time. But we can't figure out how to do LP records.

[Stratosaurus]

I did this a long time ago with my Dad and his vinyl records. We plugged in directly to the line-in on the computer and ran some recording software (I believe it was cakewalk pro audio). You will need some recording software. I'm not sure what is out there for cheap or free as I always use cakewalk pro audio 9.

A few places to look for this software might be
www.freewarefiles.com
www.snapfiles.com
www.freewarepub.org

Hopefully the software you find will allow you to record to WAV format (I don't see why not). Then have your son show you how to make an audio CD using those WAV files.

Any further questions let me know here I'll try to help. Good luck.

[Robin Nahum]

Originally Posted by jhundt

Is there an easy way to burn CDs of my old records without buying expensive software or hardware? I guess I could just play the record-player into the line-in, but don't I need an RIAA pre-amp or something between the record player and the disc?

You do need an RIAA pre-amp between the turntable and the computer's line in. This is to bring the bass frequencies up to where they should be. You can use the phono input of a stereo amp if it has a line out from the pre-amp stage. Alternatively you can buy a turntable pre-amp. These cost from about $US50 up to who knows what for those fancy tube ones.

You also need to install suitable software to:

(a) turn the analog input into .wav files,
(b) slice up the big .wav files, representing each side of a CD, into individual .wav files for each track, and
(c) create an audio CD from the .wav files.

I use sibling products for (a) and (b) - LP Recorder and LP Ripper. Easy to use but not free unfortunately. I use the CD burning software that came with the PC for (c).

You start up LP Recorder and press the "Record" button and then play one side of the record. Do the same for the other. This results in two large .wav files.

You then use LP Ripper to edit the big .wav files down into individual .wav files corresponding to each track. LP Ripper allows you to hear the big .wav files and also see them on screen as an audiogram.

Once you have the individual .wav files, you assemble them onto a CD using CD burning software. You can choose to create a music CD (a regular audio CD) or an MP3 CD which is recognisable by Windows and MP3 CD players. I know zilch about the latter.

[Rick S]

It's really pretty easy. I use Polderbits and highly recommend it. Very easy to use and the website has a thorough tutorial with pics on how to make the connections. All you need is something to play the records on with a line out and a sound card with a line in. Biggest hassle is usually getting a proper cord to hook it up and getting the stereo system close enough to the computer to do it. Go to the Polderbits website and check it out.
http://www.polderbits.com/

[Rick S]

Sorry, broke the url. Also forgot to mention, they have a 2 week free trial with full function.

http://www.polderbits.com/

[raisindot]

You could run directly into the line in, but the results won't be all that good. Some kind of in-between audio interface (either USB or PCI/Firewire-based) that can take RCA inputs from an amp.

I personally use a Emu-1820 system. This consists of a plug-in card that connects via a dedicated proprietary cable to an external pre-amp input box with 8 analog 3/4" inputs, RCA inputs, and dedicated phono inputs (even a grounding pin so you can hook up a turntable directly). It's kind of expensive (around $400), but the LP recording is a secondary use; I mainly use it for recording my own compositions from sources such as synths, guitars, and vocals.

For the recording software, I use Cakewalk Pyro--around $25 bucks on sale. It can do everything from recording the audio from the LPS to slicing up the waves and then burning onto CDs. It has a built in equalizer as well as some very nifty effects that eliminate LP cracks and pops.

Jeff in Boston

[Boudreaux]

You know, I also have been considering burning my LPs onto CD.

I have two wonderful old analog KLH/Burwen noise reduction units (remember them?). Would I want to patch them in while recording, or would I want to use the software for hiss and pop reduction?

OR...is this like a "what are the best strings" question; the answer being use your own ears? Hmmmm...

[popthree]

I've been planning to do this myself. I plan to run the turntable or cassette deck into my mixing board, then into the pc running cakewalk.

[chipl]

I bought a Phillips double CD deck for copying CDs onto blank CDs. It's wired right into my stereo, and hence my turntable, and I just hit the source button for analog, hit record, as the LP is playing, and it copies it...surface noise, pops etc included. which I guess is the drawback with this system. But it's fine for my purposes. The same situation would work with a single deck CD recorder.

Course you'd have to invest in a CD burner, which may be more money than the software mentioned above. But recording LPs onto CDs is as easy as it gets using this set up, at least for this technology challenged guy.

[jhundt]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have looked at the links and suggestions you all sent.

I have a program for converting audio input to WAV files (though I might also try that Poldermodels since it seems to come from Holland, where I am currently living).

The hangup is that RIAA EQ. Most of the recording software I have seen says "play the record back through your home stereo system". I think they are saying this because the software doesn't have a built-in RIAA curve. You would think that this was a pretty simple thing to build in to recording software, but for some reason it seems to not be.

I'll keep looking... otherwise I'll just bring the record player AND the hi-fi amp down to my living room. My kid hates it when I disconnect all his gear... (BTW my own Sony home stereo has no inputs for a record player, only a line-in. I assume this is because they also didn't build in an RIAA preamp)

[sjfoote]

with a new tape and Dolby C noise reduction. Once I have several albums ready on cassettes, I just unhook the cassette deck from the stereo system, and hook it up via RCA out to the computer sound card line in. I use Yamaha software that came with my sound card to record the audio (track by track) as WAV files. Then all I do is select the WAV files I want, and send them to the CD burner. I've done a lot of albums this way, and it works okay for me.

I've also used my Zoom MRS-4 digital 4-track to record from the tape monitor ports of my home stereo amp - and then connected the Zoom's RCA output to the computer. This works okay too (even without Dolby) and I just erase the files from the memory card when done and start again!

[Robin Nahum]

Originally Posted by jhundt

I'll keep looking... otherwise I'll just bring the record player AND the hi-fi amp down to my living room. My kid hates it when I disconnect all his gear... (BTW my own Sony home stereo has no inputs for a record player, only a line-in. I assume this is because they also didn't build in an RIAA preamp)

JH,

The hi-fi amp will need to have a pre-amp out.

[bpoe]

Run the tape monitor "record" of your amp to the line-in on your soundcard. Your turntable is already input into the "phono" input of your amp, so your PC is just replacing your cassette deck as a recorder. I've never had any issues with bass being too low.

[Robin Nahum]

Originally Posted by bpoe

Run the tape monitor "record" of your amp to the line-in on your soundcard. Your turntable is already input into the "phono" input of your amp, so your PC is just replacing your cassette deck as a recorder.

Agree.

[Glen W]

Check the burning software you already have - it may contain a .wav editor. I have Nero (came with my Lite-on burner), and it has the software. I used it to make a cd from a cassette tape. Same thing, I just didn't need to deal with a preamp. If it's not readily available, you may have to explore the insallation cd to get it.