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mfox · Aug 25, 2003, 08:44 PM

I starting transferring music from LP's to digital format using my turntable, an amp, an a RCA stereo connector to input to my iMac G3/400, and Sound Studio to break up my recording into individual tracks. While the result was not bad, the difference in quality between my recordings and those of the same songs that I have downloaded is noticable. I'm wondering whether the difference is due to my mode of input (through the sound input port, vs through a USB port via a device like the iMic), or to my original source (20 year old LP's vs CD's)? I read one review on Griffin's website that suggested that inputting through the USB port with an iMic does give you a better recording, but then I've seen the odd posting that was negative on the iMic. I'm ready to buy one if I can be convinced that it really is a better way to go. Have any of you actually tried the iMac against input through the audio jack and found a noticable improvement? Other advice?

zigzag · Aug 26, 2003, 12:08 AM

I haven't done such a comparison but I would ask: what exactly is different about the sound? Do your digitized LP rips sound like the LPs sound when played on your stereo? If so, you're probably making good transfers, but you now prefer the CD-like sound of the downloads, in which case there's not much you can do, and iMic is unlikely to help.

Are you using any noise reduction in Sound Studio? Too much of that will dull the sound of your LPs, whether you use iMic or not.

Is there just a lot of extra noise in your LP rips? That could be caused by the analog input. iMic is designed to minimize that.

mfox · Aug 26, 2003, 02:25 AM

Zigzag, I would say that the biggest difference between my recordings and those of downloads is the better stereo separation in the latter. Also, the sound seems "sharper". There isn't a lot of noise in my recordings, and I wasn't using any noise reduction in Sound Studio. Is stereo separation generally better in CD remakes than in the old LP's?

Axo1ot1 · Aug 26, 2003, 11:37 AM

IMO the iMic is the worst mac peripheral I've ever used. Cheaply built. Horrible, static-y sound. Overpriced. Fugly.

zigzag · Aug 27, 2003, 12:47 AM

Originally posted by mfox:
Zigzag, I would say that the biggest difference between my recordings and those of downloads is the better stereo separation in the latter. Also, the sound seems "sharper". There isn't a lot of noise in my recordings, and I wasn't using any noise reduction in Sound Studio. Is stereo separation generally better in CD remakes than in the old LP's?

You could be listening to CD versions that have been remastered and even remixed, so yeah, that could explain the improved sound. CDs also have greater dynamic range. If you're not using any noise reduction and not hearing any specific flaws in your LP conversions, your ears have probably just been spoiled by the newer CD versions.

The best way to test whether you're losing anything in the conversion process is to compare the sound of your LP conversions to the originals.

I've read a lot of positive testimonials about the iMic, but everyone's mileage varies. But it won't solve your problem if you simply prefer the sound of CDs to LPs.

NYCFarmboy · Aug 27, 2003, 12:00 PM

I purchased an iMic to use to plug in a microphone to do voice overs in imovie.

It wouldn't work with any of my microphones, I guess I need an amplifier of some sort, which i thought the iMic was, but it turns out it is not that for professional microphones anyhow.

TheBum · Aug 28, 2003, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by NYCFarmboy:
I purchased an iMic to use to plug in a microphone to do voice overs in imovie.

It wouldn't work with any of my microphones, I guess I need an amplifier of some sort, which i thought the iMic was, but it turns out it is not that for professional microphones anyhow.

Did you make sure that the preamp switch on the iMic was in the right position. It should be slid toward the speaker icon to get preamplified audio. I have used a cheap LabTec headset mic with it and it works reasonably well.

zigzag · Aug 28, 2003, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by NYCFarmboy:
I purchased an iMic to use to plug in a microphone to do voice overs in imovie.

It wouldn't work with any of my microphones, I guess I need an amplifier of some sort, which i thought the iMic was, but it turns out it is not that for professional microphones anyhow.

If you were trying to use condenser or electret mikes, the iMic might not have worked because those mikes require a separate power source. Any ordinary dynamic mike should work on an iMic.

k_munic · Aug 29, 2003, 02:39 AM

Originally posted by mfox:
Zigzag, I would say that the biggest difference between my recordings and those of downloads is the better stereo separation in the latter. Also, the sound seems "sharper". There isn't a lot of noise in my recordings, and I wasn't using any noise reduction in Sound Studio. Is stereo separation generally better in CD remakes than in the old LP's?

as many wrote before. of course a cd has a better sound, better chanel seperation, wider dynamic then a 20 old lp.

what kind of turntable do you use? is the needle 20 years old...?

problem with analog equipment is often a "mechanical" thing; you can spend 10k $ just for a lp player!

converting lps is for rare material fine or you don't want to spent money again for the cd version of your favorite tracks.

btw: iMic is good for its price! there are better and much better input devices, but they cost more and much more...- iMic needs a high level input then the result is... ok.

bracken · Sep 2, 2003, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
IMO the iMic is the worst mac peripheral I've ever used. Cheaply built. Horrible, static-y sound. Overpriced. Fugly.

I was interested in getting one but I've heard many comments like this.

I don't want to waste my money.

What do you recommend instead of the iMic?

I repeat, I don't want to waste my money.

zigzag · Sep 2, 2003, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by bracken:
I was interested in getting one but I've heard many comments like this.

I don't want to waste my money.

What do you recommend instead of the iMic?

I repeat, I don't want to waste my money.

The same company sells the PowerMate for $99, which is more versatile but AFAIK uses the same input technology as the iMic. Beyond that, Edirol markets a number of analog-USB input devices from $45 to $300.