[zurek106]

I have an iMac DV Special Edition with SoundSticks. I was wondering if it is possible to hook a record player up to my computer so that I can play records and the sound come out of my computer since the SoundSticks produces such good quality sound. Or even if I could convert my records --> MP3s or AIFFs? Any help about records is greatly appreciated!
-Dan

[fisherKing]

check out the griffin iMic...you may need a phonograph preamp first, so also look into midiman.com, they have audio interfaces w/preamps

try an audio dealer, like zzounds.com.

shouldn't be too difficult.

and there are lots of shareware apps to convert audio input to mp3s etc, try
versiontracker.com

(me, i gave all my vinyl away... )

but have LOTS of storage space now

[zurek106]

How would I connect my record player to my computer? Would I use a cord that goes from the Headphones jack of the record player to the Mic jack on my computer?
-Dan

<small>[ 05-28-2002, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: zurek106 ]</small>

[fisherKing]

probably...
from the rca plugs to an audio-to-usb adapter.

try some computer store, or musical instrument dealer & get some more info!

[Chuck_star]

You need to run your turntable through a mixer before you send it to your Mac via your mic. jack.

[red rocket]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Originally posted by Chuck_star:
<strong>You need to run your turntable through a mixer before you send it to your Mac via your mic. jack.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="1" face="Geneva, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif">Why would he need to do that?

If he's got a headphone jack on his record player, that means he's already got a pre-amp built into it. All that's needed now is a simple cable and something like an iMic.

[zurek106]

Has anyone actually done this?

[barney ntd]

If your iMac already has audio in, you don't need an iMic or any other audio input device.

If you have a HiFi made of seperates, connect the iMac where you would normally put the cassette deck. This will probably need a 5-pin din to 2 3.5mm jack plugs cable; one jack plug goes to the iMac's audio-in, and the other is unused (if you use the wrong one, you won't get any sound input).

If your record player is an all-in-one, look for "line out" connectors. This is most likely 2 phono plugs, but could be 3-pin din (or something else). This time you need a cable from whatever your connection is to 1 3.5mm jack plug. Again, connect it to your iMac's audio in.

Don't use the headphone socket on the record player, as the voltage levels are wrong.

As fisherKing said, look on VersionTracker for software. I wish Apple would add Audio-in to iTunes.

Barney.

[Fredo]

First you need the necessary software: <a href="http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/index.jhtml" target="_blank">http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/index.jhtml</a>
You come out of your phono preamp with a stereo (left and right channels) into RCA (1/8-inch plug) cable, usually supplied with software,and plug into the 1/8-inch mike jack on the side of your DV SE, next to the FireWire inputs.

I have tried this going straight into the iMac, and the signal is too weak coming out of the record player. The iMic contains a small pre-amp that you can use to boost the signal.

Not worth doing without iMic or similar pre-amp.

[Fredo]

That may be true for your cube, however the DV SE has an audio in which your G4 does not. He will not need the iMic or any other amplification.

[neutrino23]

You cannot connect a phonograph directly to a Mac. You have to run it through a standard stereo system (or dedicated phono preamp) first. First, sound recorded on an LP has a bias applied to the high frequencies. Kind of like turning the treble control way up. Phono preamps are designed to compensate for this. Second, phonographs have very low output signals. Phono preamps (or consumer stereo amplifiers) are designed just for this purpose.

Connect the phonograph to the stereo. Connect the Rec Out signal to the Mac. This may take a special cable depending on the connectors presented. Use recording software to capture the music. Coaster (free), Amadeus are a couple you might look at for starters.

[dfiler]

You probably just need a simple 3 dollar adapter from radio shack. The adpater would connect the turntable's output to the iMac's microphone input.
Simple description: a small headphone plug attached to a pair of stereo plugs
Technical description: 1/8 inch stereo mini-jack to (2) RCA plugs

The people claiming that you need a pre-amp are assuming that you have an ancient record player. Its almost impossible to determine if you have one of the newer ones with the standard 'line level' output without plugging it in and seeing if the sound is too quite. If its too quite, you have the older 'phono' level of output and will either need to buy a phono to line level pre-amp or purchase a new record player. All but the super-high-end players now have the same output as do CD players, tape decks, VCRs, etc.

You might also get away with connecting the headphone output from the record player to the microphone input of the imac. However, you'll need to turn the volume on both all the way down before trying this. Be warned though, you can fry things with this type of connection. Kinda like back in the days before USB, you stood the chance of frying things by plugging and unplugging keyboards and mice while the computer was on.