Converting Vinyl To Digital On An Macbook Air M1?

[Jim Creek]

I have Audacity software on my Macbook Air M1. I have to find a way to input audio from my preamp to my Macbook Air. I have seen RCA to USB-C adapter cables. Can I use that adapter cable going from my preamp’s RCA output to the USB-C port on my Macbook Air to record on Audacity software?

 

[JP]

No. Those cables actually have a DAC inside the C connector.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I have Audacity software on my Macbook Air M1. I have to find a way to input audio from my preamp to my Macbook Air. I have seen RCA to USB-C adapter cables. Can I use that adapter cable going from my preamp’s RCA output to the USB-C port on my Macbook Air to record on Audacity software?

Have to have an audio interface to do this. Don't know of any USB-C compatible ones yet. Those who do know, please chime in and let me know.

 

[juliet lima]

Can you set the 3.5 mm headphone jack to input in the sound settings? May only be mono though.

 

[Jim Creek]

Can you set the 3.5 mm headphone jack to input in the sound settings? May only be mono though.

That is for low quality voice recording.

 

[toolik]

Motu M2 or M4 should work. USB-C and can be used for many other things, including measurements

 

[AvFan]

Don't know of any USB-C compatible ones yet.

Focusrite's current Scarlett and Clarett+ interfaces are USB-C.

 

[juliet lima]

No. Those cables actually have a DAC inside the C connector.

This one has no conversion. It’s a straight splitter.

Have to have an audio interface to do this. Don't know of any USB-C compatible ones yet. Those who do know, please chime in and let me know.

Do you need an out board dac or will the MacBook accept analog in through usb?

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Focusrite's current Scarlett and Clarett+ interfaces are USB-C.

Thanks for that suggestion. Focusrite makes good audio interfaces, and that can be recommended.

 

[JP]

This one has no conversion. It’s a straight splitter.

It’s not possible to passively convert a USB interface to analog audio.

 

[juliet lima]

Copy

 

[peterp1]

I've done cassette tapes and albums to digital using a Zoom recorder like the H4n and H2n. The Zoom can either act as a recorder (which is what I did) or act as a USB interface to the Mac. Here's a post in another thread that described the process: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...og-to-digital-converter.989001/#post-15454821

 

[lini]

It’s not possible to passively convert a USB interface to analog audio.

That's correct. However, some devices with USB-C port support the "audio adapter accessory mode" and hence can provide stereo analogue out plus a mic input channel by reassigning the two USB 2.0 contact pairs (*) plus the sideband use contact pair (*) as well as ground, of course, for the purpose.

And hence there can also DAC-less adaptor cables.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

*) The pairs are used to ensure, that the plug orientation doesn't matter.

 

[JP]

That's correct. However, some devices with USB-C port support the "audio adapter accessory mode" and hence can provide stereo analogue out plus a mic input channel by reassigning the two USB 2.0 contact pairs (*) plus the sideband use contact pair (*) as well as ground, of course, for the purpose.

And hence there can also DAC-less adaptor cables.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

*) The pairs are used to ensure, that the plug orientation doesn't matter.

Anyone supporting that anymore? I don’t see that Apple ever did.

 

[lini]

Anyone supporting that anymore? (...)

Not sure, as I'm not really into smartphones. But I've seen a DAC-less USB-C to miniTRRS adaptor by Ugreen on Amazon(.de) - with a compatibility list, that would seem to at least include some pretty recent Huawei, Xiaomi and OnePlus models. So it would seem like some manufacturers still do.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Jim Creek]

I ordered one of these from Amazon.

DIGITNOW USB Audio Capture Card Grabber for Vinyl

I’ll post a report here after I get a chance to play with it. It will need an USB A to USB C adapter which is no big deal. It’s a small investment, about 15 bucks.

 

[Jim Creek]

The DigitNow USB Audio Capture Card works great with the Macbook Air M1. It comes with freeware Audacity software on mini CD. I downloaded it online instead to make sure I got the latest version. The DigitNow has an USB-A connector which will require either a USB-A to USB-C adapter or a USB hub with the required connectors. I connected the DigitNow female RCA pigtail directly to my Schiit Saga preamp.

The Audacity software is not the most intuitive so there is a learning curve. It took me about an hour to set everything up and start digitizing some vinyl. The Macbook comes with the native app called Garage Band which is also capable of digitizing vinyl. The DigitNow is cheap, about $15. I can recommend it.

 

[Jim Creek]

This is a great post. I have a MacBook Air and it seems like the days of plugging into a 1/8” jack are long gone. Nothing about it makes it even seem like recording to it is possible which is strange because of all the hype surrounding Garage Band. Maybe I can get some pointers. Ideally I’d actually prefer line in to my iPhone for Tik Tok type video captures with great line in sound. But right now I’m stumped and I’ve watched more than a few YouTube videos on the topic. Seems like it would be really easy with an Android phone, so I’ve been tempted to go Android over this issue.

I forgot to mention that the DigitNow has a male 3.5mm stereo jack for analog input. You can plug the 3.5mm into an analog source with a 3.5mm earphone jack. That 3.5mm is in addition to the stereo female RCA pigtail.