Is there an inexpensive way to rip LP's

mjock3 · « **on:** 20 Jul 2011, 05:29 pm »

I am looking to get some of my LP's onto the hard drive. I would like to maintain as much quality as possible but the least expensive solution. What would I need to spend to do that?

I am currently trying to find a Hagtech LP Ripper, but thought I had better see what else is out there. As the Hagtech is no longer made.

I am quite impressed with the quality of sound you can achieve from a hard drive, not at all what I expected.

Thanks,

Mark

HalSF · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 10:27 pm »

What kind of computer? I've got suggestions if you're using a Mac.

Meanwhile, a great place to start is with the Behringer UFO202 Audio Interface. $29.99 on Amazon, with a lot of helpful customer reviews to boot.

mjock3 · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Jul 2011, 11:04 pm »

I've got a Dell. Any suggestions for that?

Thanks,

Mark

HalSF · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Jul 2011, 11:55 pm »

Assuming you're running Windows, I'd use the previously mentioned Behringer gadget to get a clean signal from your hi-fi's analog line out to one of your Dell's digital USB inputs. Then you need a program to record your LPs (look for something akin to the Mac program I use, Audio Hijack Pro), an audio editor (on my Mac, Rogue Amoeba's Fission), and a program to clean up the vinyl noise (mine is ClickRepair). You might even find a free or cheap Windows program that does all three: record, edit, and remove clicks and pops. I'd avoid any solution that claims to automate the whole workflow. This is definitely a hands-on process, but I kinda enjoy it, and the results sound superb. Nothing like listening to one of my favorite vinyl LPs in all its lossless glory on an iPod.

AVnerdguy · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 12:11 am »

For a Windows or Linux PC I use the Art USB Phono Plus V2 Phono Preamp w/ USB Connectivity to go directly into the computer and CDex program for the recording and clean up. The phono pre is around $60 online and the program is shareware and you can donate what you think is fair. I've had excellent results with this set up. It takes a bit of experimenting to get the results you want but it's interesting to see what you can do. Once you get it the way you want it the process takes just the time to play the album and do the cleanup and output to the format you want to save as (I go FLAC).

HalSF · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 12:26 am »

Great suggestion. That ART USB Phono Plus V2 Phono Preamp looks like a pretty cool alternative to the Behringer if you want or need to connect a turntable directly to your computer. (And it works with Macs too!) Once again the Amazon customer reviews for this product are full of useful information and suggestions about how people are ripping analog to digital.

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 12:34 am »

On the software side, you can try Audacity. Besides being freeware, it has support for VST plug-ins. So, if you don't like what comes with the default install, you can bolt it up to something else.

mjock3 · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 02:01 am »

Thanks for the advice. Not sure which to go with. I was thinking I do have a separate phono pre amp, so I do not really need the unit to have one. And my separate pre amp would likely give a better sound.

I have read more than a few high regards for the Audacity software. I will definitely look into that.

Thanks again,

Mark

firedog · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 10:30 am »

For a fee, you can use SpinItAgain! http://www.acoustica.com/spinitagain/

Makes the process easy/saves time. Does track tagging and splitting which doesn't work perfectly, but does save time.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 12:39 pm »

I used a Cakewalk UA-1G into my IBM laptop with Audacity. The Cakewalk is a Roland unit, and is sold under one more brand name that I can't remember.

I went from the tape out on my integrated (built in phono) to the Cakewalk to USB. Worked very well, but there was a bit of a learning curve between the UA-1G and Audacity. The UA-1G was about $80. I think it can be found locally at music (instrument and recording) stores. I bought mine from Amazon.

Pretty flexible as far as bit and sample rate too. It'll go up to 96/24.

Chromisdesigns · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 10:51 pm »

I'll be doing this too, after I finish ripping all my CDs. Does SpinItAgain support FLAC encoding, though? Didin't see it on the web page.

mjock3 · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 11:38 pm »

What does FLAC encoding accomplish? Is it just for saving space or is there something more involved?

Chromisdesigns · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 11:50 pm »

Quote from: mjock3 on 23 Jul 2011, 11:38 pm

What does FLAC encoding accomplish? Is it just for saving space or is there something more involved?

Saves space, typical FLAC is 1/3 less size than .wav file

mikecole · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 01:24 am »

I also use the Cakewalk UA-1G (formerly Edirol) to USB. I use a free program called Wave Repair to do the recording. It is free in user eval mode but does not have full functionality. It does have exactly what I need though. I use Nero to burn the songs to CD and to make the CD label. You can usually get a free copy of Nero light when you buy a CD burner.

firedog · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 10:42 am »

Quote from: mjock3 on 23 Jul 2011, 11:38 pm

What does FLAC encoding accomplish? Is it just for saving space or is there something more involved?

FLAC also gives you full tagging abilities, WAV doesn't. VERY useful for organizing computer based playback.

firedog · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 10:51 am »

Quote from: Chromisdesigns on 23 Jul 2011, 10:51 pm

I'll be doing this too, after I finish ripping all my CDs. Does SpinItAgain support FLAC encoding, though? Didin't see it on the web page.

doesn't rip to flac. only to wav or mp3. Yes, big drawback. But if you have a conversion program like dbpoweramp you can do a "batch" conversion of all your files when you are done.

richidoo · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 12:49 pm »

If you rip it manually you will need to learn how to edit the wav file after recording to disk. Record one whole side as a wav, then edit out the pops, normalize (optionally,) cut into separate tracks and save as wav. Then use a flac encoder to compress it, unless Audacity allows saving as flac. I have used Audacity, it is pretty good, and free.

kyrill · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 04:06 pm »

the problem of getting analogue to digital is not really the problem, you can buy at amazon a complete setup for under 300 dollars ( sometimes less than 200 dollars) but the effect is horrible in a fine (high-end setup)
Also to let the pc do (the ADC process) is horrible soundwise as well ( to my ears) The PC soundcard has huge jitter compared to mainstream good dacs. You need a 600 dollars dedicated soundcard which somehow filters the pci feeding from the PC inherited gremlins and concentrates on "pure" sound with a fine clock and low jitter.

But then I compare the ADC process to the best ( what LPs actually do deserve)
for midfi listening or casual listening above critical comments are unvalid.

I would use the best phono preamp you can buy or borrow ( I use a modded Jolida JD 9a a work in progress) , a stand alone ADC ( I use the sparrow from "Black Lion" jitter around 10 ps) and from there into the computer
but this is not really an inexpensive way, I know

whell · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 04:33 pm »

This is likely getting out of the realm of "inexpensive", but here's a box designed to do exactly what you want to do.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Furutech-GT-40-Headphone-Amp-DAC

I'm using it as a DAC right now connected to a Linux PC USB output. The sound is terrific. I'll be getting started on digitizing my vinyl this fall.

ksie · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Aug 2011, 04:34 pm »

I've used the Xitel INport Deluxe to record/convert dozens of LPs. Has worked extremely well for me, with (IMHO) great Hi-fidelity results.

It is designed for Windows, and basically uses the Sound Recorder functionality of your PC. It uses an analog-preamp OUT to USB cord (via in-line ADC) and creates one big Wav file. Included software is then used to edit into individual tracks. There isn't any pop/crackle-removal functionality. But, I think the results are excellent. I take the Wav files and run them thru the FLAC frront-end to save space and add tags.

Xitel INport Deluxe