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Question: using digital audio recorder for needle drop

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FigaroClint

New Member
I'm planning on purchasing either the

  • Sony PCM-M10 Portable Audio Recorder, or
  • Zoom H4nSP Handy Mobile 4-Track Recorder, or
  • Zoom H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder

Question is, how are these used in the context of a needle drop? Pardon my ignorance, but I was wondering if the device is somewhat connected between the phono preamp (or the amplifier) and the MacBook computer? If it provides a physical link (with cables) between those components?

Or do I just record and capture the sound as it feels up the room, then transfer the file to computer for processing? Thank you for your help, I'm really trying to understand how this works.
 
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I'm assuming that you're going to transfer records to the digital realm.
Phonostage analog output => Analog Line-in recorder
I'd go with the Sony; though, the Zoom recorders are improving.
24bit is better if you plan on editing. 16bit is fine if you're not going to edit. 44.1khz is ample.
 
Why not go directly into the Mac? Couldn't he just plug the output of the preamp into the "line in" on the Mac? If I remember correctly, we used to go source=>preamp=>computer. In our case the "preamp" was a board but it's similar, no? The Mac is a decent recorder with ProTools installed.

Unless he's not going to have the computer and turntable in the same place, then yeah, Sony. And the output of the preamp goes into the Sony. (I agree with Roving that it's the better one).
 
MannyE said:
Why not go directly into the Mac? Couldn't he just plug the output of the preamp into the "line in" on the Mac? The Mac is a decent recorder with ProTools installed.

Unless he's not going to have the computer and turntable in the same place, then yeah, Sony. And the output of the preamp goes into the Sony. (I agree with Roving that it's the better one).
Click to expand...

That would work but - you end up tying up your computer for long periods using it to master.

And ProTools is super-mega overkill for this task.(be it mastering or editing)
 
Roving Sign said:
That would work but - you end up tying up your computer for long periods using it to master.

And ProTools is super-mega overkill for this task.(be it mastering or editing)
Click to expand...

And that's why I left the audio to the audio guys! LOL I didn't think of that. Yeah, ProTools is overkill... I just couldn't think of any other one. Wavelab? I am out of the production loop for a few years now.
 
MannyE said:
And that's why I left the audio to the audio guys! LOL I didn't think of that. Yeah, ProTools is overkill... I just couldn't think of any other one. Wavelab? I am out of the production loop for a few years now.
Click to expand...

To get started - Audacity will do the job fine - It's free - plus its cross platform - so no shortage of users.
 
mfrench said:
I'm assuming that you're going to transfer records to the digital realm.
Phonostage analog output => Analog Line-in recorder
I'd go with the Sony; though, the Zoom recorders are improving.
24bit is better if you plan on editing. 16bit is fine if you're not going to edit. 44.1khz is ample.
Click to expand...

Thank you, this is very clear, but the analog output in the phono stage is RCA while the Sony line-in is a "mic" type of input.

I assume I'm going to need some type of cable to bridge between those two? And wouldn't this cause loss of fidelity or sound quality (whichever the correct word/expression is)?
 
FigaroClint said:
Thank you, this is very clear, but the analog output in the phono stage is RCA while the Sony line-in is a "mic" type of input.

I assume I'm going to need some type of cable to bridge between those two? And wouldn't this cause loss of fidelity or sound quality (whichever the correct word/expression is)?
Click to expand...

The Sony has settings for both mic and line level inputs. (the 1/8 input) - as well as the built in Omni-directional mics.

You'll want a decent L/R RCA > stereo 1/8 cable to go from your RCA tape out to the Sony 1/8 inch line in.

No more loss in quality than any analog audio connection...standard arguments apply. Nothing to worry about IMO.
 
Roving Sign said:
The Sony has settings for both mic and line level inputs. (the 1/8 input) - as well as the built in Omni-directional mics.

You'll want a decent L/R RCA > stereo 1/8 cable to go from your RCA tape out to the Sony 1/8 inch line in.

No more loss in quality than any analog audio connection...standard arguments apply. Nothing to worry about IMO.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, this solves my question!

Next I will need to learn the tricks of sound editing through software, but that's another day, another thread :)
 
markshan said:
No so much overkill as just not the right tool set. Au3 has better controls for the job, such as manual click removal and spectral view.
Click to expand...

I know sir Thrifty personally and though I've never heard any of his needle drops I understand he really knows his stuff. Don't tell him I said that though. I don't want it to go to his head!
 
I used "CD SpinDoctor which comes with Roxio's Toast. Phono plugged into Preamp. Preamp line out to 3.5mm input on Mac. From 2000 to 2003 every saturday and sunday from 6:30am til about 11-12 I'd go through my LP collection about 2" at a time and clean, transfer,(or if the LP was too roached, ignored) move to next LP. I imported 1900 cuts that way from 5000+ Lp's. If I already had it on CD it was ignored as well.
 
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