[Talk2Angus]

I'm busy with a project that needs conversions from vinyl(lp) to cd/dvd. Does anybody have some info for me on what harware and software are the best to use for this?
pleasee if somebody can shed some light on this for me!!!
Thanxangus@talk2me.co.za

[zigzag]

If you do a search, you'll see a lot of threads on this. The quick-and-dirty version:

Plug turntable into receiver/amp. Plug receiver/amp into Mac via audio-in or USB. Use audio recording software to record and edit. Burn CD/DVD.

If you use FinalVinyl software, you can plug the turntable directly into the Mac.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by zigzag:
If you use FinalVinyl software, you can plug the turntable directly into the Mac.

Unless you really don't care about audio quality or your turntable is complete crap, don't do this.

[zigzag]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
Unless you really don't care about audio quality or your turntable is complete crap, don't do this.

Have you had any experience with it? Not arguing - I'm honestly curious because I've never used it, haven't seen it reviewed anywhere, and don't want to recommend a lousy product. Griffin seems like a pretty conscientious company but all I know is that it's supposed to apply a software-based RIAA curve in lieu of a phono preamp.

[Talk2Angus]

Originally posted by zigzag:
Have you had any experience with it? Not arguing - I'm honestly curious because I've never used it, haven't seen it reviewed anywhere, and don't want to recommend a lousy product. Griffin seems like a pretty conscientious company but all I know is that it's supposed to apply a software-based RIAA curve in lieu of a phono preamp.

This is going 2 be the first time!!
Will keep u up to date!!!!

Running on Tech. SL1210 Turntables
on an iMac 17"
Thanx for the info got me going in the right direction

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by zigzag:
Have you had any experience with it? Not arguing - I'm honestly curious because I've never used it, haven't seen it reviewed anywhere, and don't want to recommend a lousy product. Griffin seems like a pretty conscientious company but all I know is that it's supposed to apply a software-based RIAA curve in lieu of a phono preamp.

I don't have first-hand experience, with that product, but I have very serious doubts about achievable quality.

The MM signal given out by a turntable is *extremely* small, and "just plugging it into your Mac" would mean going directly into an el-cheapo A/D stage which most likely will not deal well at all with such low signals, unamplified. Applying the RIAA curve digitally will even out the equalization (bass is strongly reduced on vinyl records to decrease the width of the groove's meanderings), but it can't turn a shitty digitized signal into gold.

This might change somewhat if you use a decent 24-bit A/D converter, which has a much higher dynamic resolution, but I still doubt the quality of possible results.

OTOH, he's using 1210's as the source, so he might as well just go that route.

-s*

[zigzag]

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
The MM signal given out by a turntable is *extremely* small, and "just plugging it into your Mac" would mean going directly into an el-cheapo A/D stage which most likely will not deal well at all with such low signals, unamplified.

Right, I never thought of it that way. I'd be interested in hearing Griffin's opinion on whether gain is an issue in this context.

I can also imagine someone arguing that a preamp adds noise and distortion and that therefore it's better to go straight in. But I'm just guessing. One of these days I'll try FinalVinyl and see how it does.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally posted by zigzag:
I can also imagine someone arguing that a preamp adds noise and distortion and that therefore it's better to go straight in. But I'm just guessing. One of these days I'll try FinalVinyl and see how it does.

Well, if a dedicated phono MM preamp adds noise (which of course it does, inversely proportional to the cost of the amp), I'd like to see them argue that an 80-cent A/D stage with a minijack on it doesn't.