Ripping LPs

Walter R

Walter R

Active Member
I’ve been ripping LPs to Audacity on my computer. My problem is the turntable-computer interface. I’ve been using the computer mic input jack, it works but it’s not satisfactory because it mic input is monaural on the cheap computer I’m using, an Intel NUC. Also, it’s a flimsy 3.5mm jack. I’m using a Pioneer PL-990 turntable which had a built in preamplifier. Most of the LPs are spoken word, so audio quality isn’t critical.
I’ve tried two interfaces from RCA stereo input jacks to USB. One was a $17 device from FlyKan that I found on Amazon. It worked at first but then the audio deteriorated to a loud screeching sound. This happened several times. The seller saw my negative review and offered to send me another one, we’ll see. The other device was a $29 Behringer UFO202 I also bought on Amazon. It was dead on arrival, it didn’t light up when I plugged it in and the computer didn’t see it. I’ve returned it and Amazon is sending me a new one.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a stereo USB capture device?
 
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I have a Behringer UCA202, which I think is the exact same thing as the UCA222, besides the color. I haven't tried it out yet, but they seem to be fairly well regarded, especially for the price. I had been doing rips using the line-in on my desktop, and the results were actually pretty good IMO, but I thought I'd try something that's supposed to be better. Plus I could use it with my laptops that are mic-in only.

Maybe you just got a dud. I would think a working unit should be fine, especially for just doing spoken word material.
 
beat_truck said:
I have a Behringer UCA202, which I think is the exact same thing as the UCA222, besides the color. I haven't tried it out yet, but they seem to be fairly well regarded, especially for the price. I had been doing rips using the line-in on my desktop, and the results were actually pretty good IMO, but I thought I'd try something that's supposed to be better. Plus I could use it with my laptops that are mic-in only.

Maybe you just got a dud. I would think a working unit should be fine, especially for just doing spoken word material.
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I used to use one of those Behringers, and it was just OK. There was a noticeable degradation in sound quality vs. the original LP.
 
The OP is using a low end turntable to rip spoken word LPs. I wouldn't spend much money either, especially if that's what I was using and all I planned to do with it.
 
beat_truck said:
I have a Behringer UCA202, which I think is the exact same thing as the UCA222, besides the color. I haven't tried it out yet, but they seem to be fairly well regarded, especially for the price. I had been doing rips using the line-in on my desktop, and the results were actually pretty good IMO, but I thought I'd try something that's supposed to be better. Plus I could use it with my laptops that are mic-in only.

Maybe you just got a dud. I would think a working unit should be fine, especially for just doing spoken word material.
Click to expand...
I received the replacement Behringer device and it worked. I still had a computer problem, Audacity was hearing the audio but it wasn’t getting to the amplifier that’s connected to the computer, so I couldn’t hear it. Apparently some sort of Windows driver conflict. I got around the problem by feeding the output jacks on the Behringer device directly to the amplifier.
The UFO202 is the same as the other devices, but has a switchable preamp. I do have a better turntable, connected to my stereo.
 
You can have glitches with any audio interface if there are driver issues. Getting a more expensive interface than the entry-level ones Behringer offers wouldn't necessarily make a difference, unless the unit came with superior driver support. Regardless, I won't use an audio program that doesn't support ASIO, and Audacity is one of the programs that doesn't support ASIO.
 
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Incidentally, if you decide to go the digital recorder route, the Tascam DR-05 would do just as well for you as the Tascam DR-40. After spending hundreds of hours recording files using the line inputs of both, I haven't been able to discern a difference in sound quality, and the DR-05 is a lot cheaper than the DR-40 to boot.
 
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Poinzy said:
Incidentally, if you decide to go the digital recorder route, the Tascam DR-05 would do just as well for you as the Tascam DR-40. After spending hundreds of hours recording files using the line inputs of both, I haven't been able to discern a difference in sound quality, and the DR-05 is a lot cheaper than the DR-40 to boot.
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Yes, you are correct. I bought the DR-40 because it has other features that are useful to me as a musician (and it was on sale when I bought it!).
 
The only problem now is that I can record to Audacity and monitor while recording, but I can’t listen to the edited audio tracks from Audacity. Other Windows programs, like Winamp, play to my attached amp with no problem. It seems like if Audacity is inputting the audio through the Behringer device, It can’t output it to another device. Weird!
 
Walter R said:
The only problem now is that I can record to Audacity and monitor while recording, but I can’t listen to the edited audio tracks from Audacity. Other Windows programs, like Winamp, play to my attached amp with no problem. It seems like if Audacity is inputting the audio through the Behringer device, It can’t output it to another device. Weird!
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You have to set your output device on Audacity to your default sound card
 
I've discovered that the Schiit JIL is fantastic using Audacity at 192k 24bit. Can hear no difference at all between the recording and original playback through my system
 
beatcomber said:
You get what you pay for...

I use a Tascam DR-40, which can record at 24/96, and then run the files through ClickRepair before doing the final editing in Audacity. The results are highly satisfactory!
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I second this method. Although I use a Tascam CD-RW900. Aside from far greater fidelity, I find this method far less tedious than recording direct to Audacity.
 
Well if you buy all the cheapest things you can find to do the job you want to do it will be time consuming.

If you mash a bunch of cheap bits and peaces to perform one function they may not work together. more time and wasted money.

As cheap as they have gotten a stand alone digital recorder would work just like a tape recorder. It would do everything one needs for this job without a glitch.

I have a Marantz PMD580, it will record to a CF card or to a computer. I don't even do any editing, Record a side and mark it as such.
 
mjw21a said:
I've discovered that the Schiit JIL is fantastic using Audacity at 192k 24bit. Can hear no difference at all between the recording and original playback through my system
Click to expand...
That looks really good, I think I’ll give it a try. But it’s more than I want to spend this month.
 
Walter R said:
That looks really good, I think I’ll give it a try. But it’s more than I want to spend this month.
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I just looked on the bay and searched
Marantz PMD580, and this page show other models as well, PMD570, PMD560.
Tascam and Denon also have units.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...antz+PMD580.TRS0&_nkw=Marantz+PMD580&_sacat=0

If you buy used you can sell it again later and depending on how long you can get your money back when your done. This trying to use multiple bits and peaces and getting them to work together is just footnoting and no one will whant the stuff when your done with it.
 
@Walter R If you have built in phono preamplifier into your TT why you dont connect LINE OUT from turntable to LINE IN on your computer and rip music on this way? This is simpliest way for ripping music.
 
FileFixer said:
@Walter R If you have built in phono preamplifier into your TT why you dont connect LINE OUT from turntable to LINE IN on your computer and rip music on this way? This is simpliest way for ripping music.
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There is no line in on the cheap Intel NUC computer I’m using for the ripping, only a mic jack. It works, but it’s monaural.
 
mjw21a said:
I've discovered that the Schiit JIL is fantastic using Audacity at 192k 24bit. Can hear no difference at all between the recording and original playback through my system
Click to expand...

Hey ya - mind if I ask what your chain from t/table thru to rip is using the JIL?
I just purchase one locally tonight, and need to solve the last bit:
Pioneer PL-50L table ==> Denon DL103R cart (modified alum body and paratrace stylus) ==> Lehmann Black Cube SE phono ===> Schiit JIL ===> ????
 
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