LP to HDD

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Guy 13

LP to HDD
« on: 3 Jun 2016, 10:38 am »
Hi all.
Anyone got experience and-or an honest expert opinion on the product in the link.
Some day, I would like to digitalize all my LPs.
I would select the track that I like on my LPs and after it's in the computer,
I would be able to have continuous music I love.
Would be the same results as my Grace Mondo radio Internet.
Any other suggestion(s) is welocme, but please,
make it simple, when it comes to computer stuff I am...????
Well, not the smartest computer person... :oops:

http://www.amazon.com/American-Audio-Geni-Soundcard-Phono/product-reviews/B001IPSX8M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_hist_5?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=five_star&showViewpoints=0&pageNumber=1

FullRangeMan

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Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #1 on: 3 Jun 2016, 10:53 am »
Chances are your favorite music already digitalized in YT, you could listen direct there for free.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT8t0VxZXEM

srb

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #2 on: 3 Jun 2016, 12:58 pm »
The audio portion of the majority of YouTube videos will likely be worse sounding than what you're hearing with Internet radio streams.

(If you do listen to a YouTube video, click the gear in the control bar and select the highest video resolution possible.  Many videos will have a max resolution of 240p, 360p or 480p, but you will find some that have a maximum of 720p or 1080p, although the auto feature has defaulted to something lower.  As the video resolution increases, the audio often increases in quality as well.)

If you do decide to try digitizing LPs, most of the super low-cost USB recording interfaces are limited to 16-bit/48kHz.  Although you may be able to get ultimately better results with a 24/96 interface, a digitized 16/48 uncompressed file can still exceed the sound quality of compressed mp3 or aac radio streams.

I'm not familiar with this American Audio interface, but I have used the Behringer U-Phono UFO-202 which also sells for ~ $30.  Both have built-in MM phono preamps, so you can plug your turntable in direct, eliminating extra preamp circuitry and cables in the recording chain.

There is (paid) software that can automatically separate cuts into tracks by detecting space between songs, but as with other software like voice dictation or optical character recognition, the results are accurate at best 80% to 90% of the time and will still require some manual intervention and correction (for example, songs that have pauses may be detected as end of cut).

I used the open source (free) software Audacity, which includes some phono related features like noise/pop reduction.  There's a lot going on in Audacity and it can seem a bit complicated and overwhelming with all the available functions and tools, but when you isolate just the ones that you'll actually need for this task, it's not so daunting (manually trimming lead-in and lead-out times, applying noise reduction, if needed, entering metadata tags, etc.).

There are plenty of tutorials and videos available, and once you've gone through the procedure a few times, it's not very difficult, albeit a little time consuming.

Steve

randytsuch

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #3 on: 3 Jun 2016, 03:27 pm »
You likely have a much better phono stage then anything you would get with a usb interface.

Take the output from your phono stage, and connect to a ADC (analog to digital converter).

Behringer and others make ADC's with a USB interface for a PC, guess they call them audio interfaces.
http://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Computer-Audio/Audio-Interfaces/UCA202/p/P0484

It should come with software, or use Audacity or some other free program as suggested.

Randy

Guy 13

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #4 on: 3 Jun 2016, 03:40 pm »
Chances are your favorite music already digitalized in YT, you could listen direct there for free.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT8t0VxZXEM

That's Tiny Tim on that You Tube video.
I don't like that guy...
It's a lot easier to transfer from my LPs to the HDD the song that I have right in front of me,
instead of looking all over the Internet for what I want.

Guy 13

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #5 on: 3 Jun 2016, 03:49 pm »
The audio portion of the majority of YouTube videos will likely be worse sounding than what you're hearing with Internet radio streams.

(If you do listen to a YouTube video, click the gear in the control bar and select the highest video resolution possible.  Many videos will have a max resolution of 240p, 360p or 480p, but you will find some that have a maximum of 720p or 1080p, although the auto feature has defaulted to something lower.  As the video resolution increases, the audio often increases in quality as well.)

If you do decide to try digitizing LPs, most of the super low-cost USB recording interfaces are limited to 16-bit/48kHz.  Although you may be able to get ultimately better results with a 24/96 interface, a digitized 16/48 uncompressed file can still exceed the sound quality of compressed mp3 or aac radio streams.

I'm not familiar with this American Audio interface, but I have used the Behringer U-Phono UFO-202 which also sells for ~ $30.  Both have built-in MM phono preamps, so you can plug your turntable in direct, eliminating extra preamp circuitry and cables in the recording chain.

There is (paid) software that can automatically separate cuts into tracks by detecting space between songs, but as with other software like voice dictation or optical character recognition, the results are accurate at best 80% to 90% of the time and will still require some manual intervention and correction (for example, songs that have pauses may be detected as end of cut).

I used the open source (free) software Audacity, which includes some phono related features like noise/pop reduction.  There's a lot going on in Audacity and it can seem a bit complicated and overwhelming with all the available functions and tools, but when you isolate just the ones that you'll actually need for this task, it's not so daunting (manually trimming lead-in and lead-out times, applying noise reduction, if needed, entering metadata tags, etc.).

There are plenty of tutorials and videos available, and once you've gone through the procedure a few times, it's not very difficult, albeit a little time consuming.

Steve

Hi Steve,
my computer adjust the download speed automatically to the highest speed according to my Internet-server speed.
If I try to go to, let say 1080p, it will be buffering all the time.
The Behringer U-Phono UFO-202 that you mentionned above is what I wanted to buy, but after reading dozens of reviews from owner, it did not look like something easy to set up. It seems that there are no CD program(s) included with the unit
and I want something like Plug and Play !
Yes, many reviewers mentionned the '' audacity '' I might have a look to see if it's not too complicated for a guy like me.
Time I have, so I will look and learn more.
Thanks.

Guy 13

 

Guy 13

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #6 on: 3 Jun 2016, 03:53 pm »
You likely have a much better phono stage then anything you would get with a usb interface.

Take the output from your phono stage, and connect to a ADC (analog to digital converter).

Behringer and others make ADC's with a USB interface for a PC, guess they call them audio interfaces.
http://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Computer-Audio/Audio-Interfaces/UCA202/p/P0484

It should come with software, or use Audacity or some other free program as suggested.

Randy

Like I just wrote to Steve srb the unit you suggest is the unit I wanted to buy,
but some reviews where not too good ???
Anyway, I will read again on that unit.
Thanks.

Guy 13

srb

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #7 on: 3 Jun 2016, 04:01 pm »
You likely have a much better phono stage then anything you would get with a usb interface.

You would think so, particularly with a $30 interface, but it depends on the phono stage.  In my case I was comparing it to the phono stages built into a $500 Yamaha integrated amplifier and an $800 Denon receiver and I preferred the results going direct into the interface's phono stage.

If the phono stage in the system is better, then that may be the way to go.  I would still experiment and try it both ways and compare the result.


The Behringer U-Phono UFO-202 that you mentionned above is what I wanted to buy, but after reading dozens of reviews from owner, it did not look like something easy to set up. It seems that there are no CD program(s) included with the unit and I want something like Plug and Play !

The Behringer is Plug and Play, no special driver or setup software is required.  There are certainly better interfaces with ADC to be found than the cheap Behringer, but the next step up would probably be in the several hundred dollar range.

Steve
« Last Edit: 4 Jun 2016, 02:41 am by srb »

randytsuch

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #8 on: 3 Jun 2016, 05:07 pm »
I looked at Guy's equipment, didn't see a phono stage listed, and it is true I wouldn't think a $30 interface would have much of a phono stage.

There may be some ebay options, I had a maudio transit at some point, it was decent.  Been obsolete for awhile.

Randy

Guy 13

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #9 on: 4 Jun 2016, 02:39 am »
You would think so, particular with a $30 interface, but it depends on the phono stage.  In my case I was comparing it to the phono stages built into a $500 Yamaha integrated amplifier and an $800 Denon receiver and I preferred the results going direct into the interface's phono stage.

If the phono stage in the system is better, then that may be the way to go.  I would still experiment and try it both ways and compare the result.


The Behringer is Plug and Play, no special driver or setup software is required.  There are certainly better interfaces with ADC to be found than the cheap Behringer, but the next step up would probably be in the several hundred dollar range.

Steve

Hi Steve,
that's what I want to hear read.
I know, I already said wrote:
Must be simple.
I am a KISS (Keep it simple stupid).
As soon as I have a few $$$$
I am pretty sure I will buy the Behringer.
Thanks.

Guy 13

Guy 13

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #10 on: 4 Jun 2016, 02:50 am »
I looked at Guy's equipment, didn't see a phono stage listed, and it is true I wouldn't think a $30 interface would have much of a phono stage.

There may be some ebay options, I had a maudio transit at some point, it was decent.  Been obsolete for awhile.

Randy

Hi Randy,
my phono pre-amplifier stage is:
ProJect Phono Box S (199USD).
I thought of buying the ProJect Phono Box USB at 159 USD
however, the Behringer is more within my budget.
By the way, I am not looking for super hi sound quality - resolution.
Most of my LPs are 40 years old and onced transfered on a USB key or HDD,
it will be for ambiant - back ground listening music.

Guy 13

G Georgopoulos

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Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #11 on: 4 Jun 2016, 02:54 am »
Hi

here is a good video on how to preserve LPs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeOSQ916w9U

Guy13, hope you like it,simple is analog my friend.

Guy 13

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #12 on: 4 Jun 2016, 03:35 am »
Hi

here is a good video on how to preserve LPs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeOSQ916w9U

Guy13, hope you like it,simple is analog my friend.

Thanks Mr. Georgopoulos,
interesting but that's not what I am looking for.
I have already cleaned all my LPs with my SpinClean (Yellow) machine.

Guy 13

Guy 13

Re: LP to HDD
« Reply #13 on: 8 Jun 2016, 02:08 am »

I love more and more listening to (Background) music with my Grace Mondo Internet radio.
However, the sound from the built in 3.5'' full range driver is not that bad,
but I'm exploring other possibilities.
(For now I am using my lap top as a tuner,
because the Internet feeding the Grace Mondo
does not work)
I have (15 years old) Sony receiver - CDP - amplifier that's doing a good job
in improving the sound over the built-in speaker of my Grace Mondo.
The Sony came with a small sub-woofer. (Bottom shelve)
For now I use the headphone jack of my lap top feeding the line input of the Sony.
I need an (Inexpensive) DAC with a USB input.
I am still thinking of the Schiit Modi 2 at 99 USD...
One day, hopefully before I kick the bucket, I will have my ideal set-up.

Guy 13