Whatever your reason for creating digital copies of your vinyl records, you’ll need a few crucial pieces of kit, and a few instructions to get you started. On the hardware side, you will need a turntable (obviously), a phono stage, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). You could, of course, purchase a turntable with a built-in USB output that will essentially combine all three items in one, but buying individual components will often produce better results, and it allows you to upgrade each hardware component at a later date. When choosing your recording setup, it’s worth keeping in mind that the final result will only ever be as good as the weakest component in the signal chain. In other words, the better your kit, the better your records will sound.įor those just getting started, I can happily recommend the Pro-Ject® Debut Carbon as a great affordable turntable that nails the critical performance aspects without the bells and whistles of many turntable designs. As a complimentary phono stage option, the Rega Fono Mini A2D will get you up and running at a relatively low cost this unit even has built-in ADC with USB output for those looking to streamline the setup process. If you’ve been collecting records for some time, the chances are you’re already set up with a turntable, in which case you can skip straight to the ADC.ġ) Use a phono pre-amp that has a built-in analog-to-digital (ADC) audio interface. (If you’re lucky you might already own a phono stage with this built right in.) This option is by far the simplest way to get set up, and there are now numerous options on the market. From the affordable Rega Fono Mini A2D to something a little higher-end like the FURUTECH GT40, there are plenty of options on the market to suit a wide variety of budgets.Ģ) Purchase a separate ADC unit or digital audio interface. If you’re set on using the phono-stage you already own, this second route may require a little extra effort but will allow you to digitize using your existing kit. Thanks to an explosion in home recording over the last 20 years, the cost of great sounding USB audio interfaces on the market is now relatively cheap. You can pick up ADCs that are primarily intended for recording musicians for under the $100 mark. Take the PreSonus AudioBox iTwo, for example. However, before you do, it’s worth remembering that consumer Hi-Fi electronics output a different signal level to standard “professional” studio devices. The most common nominal level for professional audio equipment is +4 dBu, whereas most consumer Hi-Fi audio works at a nominal level of −10 dBV. We refer to both as professional line level and consumer line level respectively. GOLDWAVE VS VINYLSTUDIO PROFESSIONALĪs a general rule, consumer outputs are the familiar RCA phono connectors we all know professional outputs are usually 1/4 inch TRS or XLR connectors.ĭon’t worry too much if all of that seems like a lot of information. But you might want to consider this when choosing an appropriate audio interface for the best results. GOLDWAVE VS VINYLSTUDIO PROĪn audio interface like the Apogee Duet will accommodate both pro and consumer line level signals by selecting the correct analog level in their Apogee Maestro application. The Duet is also famed for the quality of its analog-to-digital converters, making this a great option if you already own a great sounding phono preamp and want the ability to capture high-quality digital recordings of your existing setup. There are many recording packages available, and some audio interfaces come bundled with their own recording software. Alternatively, there are a couple of options that specialize in vinyl ripping, such as VinylStudio or PureVinyl.
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