Recording vinyl records to digital files

[spacecowboy]

I am on a modest budget and would like to record hifi vinyl records into digital files. I want to keep the sound that my preamp and amplifier provide so I am not looking for a phono preamp with output capabilites. Rather, a device that can capture sound well and be versatile for any situation. Please leave any gear recomendations you may have as well as whatever is related to getting this done!

 

[DaveVoorhis]

On a budget, you'll get very satisfactory results from running the line-level output of your preamplifier into the line input on your computer, and capture the audio and save it to lossless digital files (e.g., WAV or FLAC) using free software like Audacity.

If you play the digital files back through your amplifier, depending on quality of the sound hardware in your computer and how critical you are, you may find it sounds identical -- or close enough -- to playing your records directly. Better quality can often be obtained by using an outboard sound card.

 

[onanysunday]

My situation is a little different than yours based on my setup, but here is what I did. I am more than happy with the results of successfully transferring 100's of records in HQ digital sound. Find a way to incorporate a USB audio interface into your signal path by using your already EQ'd, pre-amped RCA analog line-out into the Behringer UCA-202 which will then connect directly into your computer via its built-in USB cable. From here it's simply a matter of finding an audio converting program you like. There are many. I use one called "Spin It Again" which is developed specifically just for converting your analog vinyl tracks into digital format in a very simple-to-use high quality format that lets you choose between WAV and varying mp3 quality types and allows for simple editing (with a few available sound correction filters I don't use) Don't be fooled by it's low price, the UCA202 is HIGH quality. I spent hours researching this particular model and I am very very happy with its high quality audio transferring capabilities. Good luck. The only other thing you'll need is a high-quality RCA cable (preferably short) to connect your amplifier to the UCA202. See two links below. It should be all you need to get going (as long as you can tap in to the RCA line out on your amplifier) I have used both of these products and can vouch for them. I feel they offer a professional level of quality for analog-to-digital conversion.

http://www.acoustica.com/spinitagain/

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI

 

[JoeESP9]

I pretty much agree with "sunday". I've been using a UCA-222 (same as 202 except case is Red) and Audacity (freeware) for rips. The Red case of my 222 has UCA-202 molded into the case. Where we differ is with the file format we use. MP3 files are IMO good enough for portable use but not for my home system. Many here use FLAC files as do I. They use lossless compression and metadata is part of the file. The UCA-202/222 does not do anything higher than 16/48. So "high resolution" files are out. It (UCA) has stereo line in line out, optical and headphone out and an analog volume control. Mine is connected to a tape monitor loop. The laptop/Behringer I use for ripping vinyl gets treated just like a tape deck.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Note that the UCA-202 should work just fine wih a preamplifier tape out.
And comes with all the software you need, for both PC and Mac.

rgds, sreten.

 

[E-Stat]

I pretty much agree with "sunday". I've been using a UCA-222 (same as 202 except case is Red) and Audacity (freeware) for rips.

While not exactly a *budget* model, I use an HRT Line Streamer that delivers 24/96 output - what I find necessary to fully capture vinyl top end. Also use Audacity.

 

[onanysunday]

I am not sure how it's even possible, but many of my vinyl-to-WAV rips sound higher resolution than a purchased CD. I doubt you would be lacking with the SQ the Behringer provides, but I suppose it's possible to up-the-ante even more with the HRT line streamer if you're willing to pay more, certainly can't hurt. It's just really hard to beat the UCA202 price/performance ratio. There may also be other audio conversion programs that would allow you convert directly to FLAC, I am just not sure as I typically burn CDs from the WAV files I create or convert them to FLAC to store them on my FiiO X5II DAP. The quality of digital files coming out of this process is directly proportional to the quality of your gear. There is an enormously wide variation of potential sound quality to be obtained here. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[lini]

sc: Versatile? Did you already consider a neat little digital field recorder? The neat Sony PCM-M10 unfortunately is discontinued, but the Roland R-05 should do a similarly good job.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[JoeESP9]

I am not sure how it's even possible, but many of my vinyl-to-WAV rips sound higher resolution than a purchased CD. I doubt you would be lacking with the SQ the Behringer provides, but I suppose it's possible to up-the-ante even more with the HRT line streamer if you're willing to pay more, certainly can't hurt. It's just really hard to beat the UCA202 price/performance ratio. There may also be other audio conversion programs that would allow you convert directly to FLAC, I am just not sure as I typically burn CDs from the WAV files I create or convert them to FLAC to store them on my FiiO X5II DAP. The quality of digital files coming out of this process is directly proportional to the quality of your gear. There is an enormously wide variation of potential sound quality to be obtained here. Good luck, keep us posted.

Some of us have been doing this for quite a while. In my case it's at least seven years. In no instance has the file sounded better than the LP. Just as good, definitely yes.

 

[markshan]

I just gave a very detailed answer here...

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...at-do-i-need-for-a-great-sounding-rip.738285/

 

[markshan]

In no instance has the file sounded better than the LP. Just as good, definitely yes.

That's too bad. I had one member here listen to some of my drops and he said they were like MFSL issues compared to his regular issues.

Plus, he didn't say better than the vinyl (this takes great skill), he said better than the CD. The way many CDs are mastered these days, I have no problem with that statement.

 

[reydelaplaya]

The Creative Labs X-Fi HD external USB sound card is designed to do this.

I have one and use it on a regular basis to import my records through its built in RIAA RCA phono in (which doubles as a line in as well). When it's time to listen, I can either plug in headphones into its 1/4in jack, or use its RCA line out to connect to my stereo. It even has optical in/out as well, if that's your thing.

It's even small enough to be portable, and regularly gets tucked into my headphone case when I take my laptop to do work and stuff at school.

It is an awesome piece of kit, and I highly recommend it (like it was highly recommended to me here by other AK members). It is a quality addition to my stereo components.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with Phono Preamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PaScybY64CGE8

 

[Alobar]

My situation is a little different than yours based on my setup, but here is what I did. I am more than happy with the results of successfully transferring 100's of records in HQ digital sound. Find a way to incorporate a USB audio interface into your signal path by using your already EQ'd, pre-amped RCA analog line-out into the Behringer UCA-202 which will then connect directly into your computer via its built-in USB cable. From here it's simply a matter of finding an audio converting program you like. There are many. I use one called "Spin It Again" which is developed specifically just for converting your analog vinyl tracks into digital format in a very simple-to-use high quality format that lets you choose between WAV and varying mp3 quality types and allows for simple editing (with a few available sound correction filters I don't use) Don't be fooled by it's low price, the UCA202 is HIGH quality. I spent hours researching this particular model and I am very very happy with its high quality audio transferring capabilities. Good luck. The only other thing you'll need is a high-quality RCA cable (preferably short) to connect your amplifier to the UCA202. See two links below. It should be all you need to get going (as long as you can tap in to the RCA line out on your amplifier) I have used both of these products and can vouch for them. I feel they offer a professional level of quality for analog-to-digital conversion.

http://www.acoustica.com/spinitagain/

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI

Glad to hear about your Behringer. I just ordered a Behringer UCA 222 and hope to get it in a few days..

 

[smurfer77]

Depends on what quality you are going for. You may get decent results just going from your pre-output to your PC sound card. But if you really need a decent sound card to get the most out of the vinyl. I am a fan of the Focusrite Forte and similar devices. But if budget doesn't stretch to that, I support the idea above of the SB x-fi. I've have nice results with one of those. If you are into DIY and can solder a couple of caps on an SMD board you can reduce the power supply noise significantly. Good little device for the money.

One thing I don't understand is that you said you want to keep the sound your amp makes, but does this mean you want to record from the speaker outputs? Not impossible, but maybe you mean you want to record from your preamp-out/tape-loop?

Anyway, it's a great hobby. Go for it... but beware, it can be time consuming, once you get into the manual declicking........

 

[lini]

Honestly, while I've also got quite a few good soundcards as well as external sound interfaces (one FireWire, the others USB), I nowadays prefer the digital field recorder approach. Already because it seems stupid to me to keep a computer busy with such a trivial task as recording stereo audio, when a small dedicated device can do that at a fraction of the power consumption and without all the usual annoyances of computer-based recording (ground hum problems, driver worries, keeping Windows from messing things up...), while still offering quick data exchange with a computer (either directly via USB or via memory card/card reader - and on some newer models even via WLAN...).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[ndes01njd]

The Creative Labs X-Fi HD external USB sound card is designed to do this.

I have one and use it on a regular basis to import my records through its built in RIAA RCA phono in (which doubles as a line in as well). When it's time to listen, I can either plug in headphones into its 1/4in jack, or use its RCA line out to connect to my stereo. It even has optical in/out as well, if that's your thing.

It's even small enough to be portable, and regularly gets tucked into my headphone case when I take my laptop to do work and stuff at school.

It is an awesome piece of kit, and I highly recommend it (like it was highly recommended to me here by other AK members). It is a quality addition to my stereo components.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with Phono Preamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PaScybY64CGE8

How well does this work as a stand alone preamp? I'm mainly looking at this for ripping my vinyl in the studio, but am thinking I could also use it as a preamp in the living room when not being used otherwise.

 

[Nightwisher]

The Creative Labs X-Fi HD external USB sound card is designed to do this.

I have one and use it on a regular basis to import my records through its built in RIAA RCA phono in (which doubles as a line in as well). When it's time to listen, I can either plug in headphones into its 1/4in jack, or use its RCA line out to connect to my stereo. It even has optical in/out as well, if that's your thing.

It's even small enough to be portable, and regularly gets tucked into my headphone case when I take my laptop to do work and stuff at school.

It is an awesome piece of kit, and I highly recommend it (like it was highly recommended to me here by other AK members). It is a quality addition to my stereo components.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD USB Audio System with Phono Preamp https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004275EO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PaScybY64CGE8

How well does this work as a stand alone preamp? I'm mainly looking at this for ripping my vinyl in the studio, but am thinking I could also use it as a preamp in the living room when not being used otherwise.

I'll echo that that soundcard is awesome for ripping vinyl. My recordings come out sounding excellent.

However, it only works when run through a computer unfortunately, so that would rule it out as a standalone phono preamp.

 

[ndes01njd]

Bummer...

So the Line Out jacks are fed off the USB input and not off the Line In?

 

[fizzgig]

To me the question is whether you are on a desktop vs laptop. For desktop, I'd recommend internal cards, for laptop, usb externals.

I've been using a M-audio Revolution 5.1 card for like 10 years. I record at 24/96 easily with no coloration of the sound like some dacs. That being said, I obviously don't know what new cards are out there...or their price point.

 

[Nightwisher]

To me the question is whether you are on a desktop vs laptop. For desktop, I'd recommend internal cards, for laptop, usb externals.

I've been using a M-audio Revolution 5.1 card for like 10 years. I record at 24/96 easily with no coloration of the sound like some dacs. That being said, I obviously don't know what new cards are out there...or their price point.

I recommend external for both, mainly due to external DACs being king now and costing the same if not less than soundcards. External limits interference coming from within the computer. They also can be cleaned up with USB purifiers and such if needed.