Ableton Forum

hi there, i just want to know if there is some sort of device i should be using when recording a vinyl(to save for future mixing).
what would be the best way to get sound quality similar to the vinyl itelf?
cheers

samurai1 wrote:hi there, i just want to know if there is some sort of device i should be using when recording a vinyl(to save for future mixing).
what would be the best way to get sound quality similar to the vinyl itelf?
cheers

you will need a phono preamp

and a good soundcard or A/D converter to try and get as best a signal as you can.

And a decent cartridge and hot but not clipped input levels. The preamp or even a home stereo amp phono in>tape/rec out to your soundcard is beter than most dj mixers unless you have A&H etc.

Here is what I used to record my vinyl to my hard drive:

Equipment
Technics 1200M3D turntable
Ortofon Nightclub E stylus
Yamaha home stereo preamp
M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard
Desktop computer


Procedure
I used one of my Techs as the turntable, since that's all I have. I set the pitch lock button to be sure the song was recorded at the original BPM. I ran the turntable into the phono inputs on a home stereo preamplifier. I did not use my DJ mixer as my phono preamp. The reason for this was that the DJ mixer uses an EQ. By using a high quality home stereo preamp, I was bypassing the EQ completely and hopefully getting a cleaner sound. When it comes to preserving quality, less processing is best. I ran the preamp outputs from the home stereo preamp into my computer soundcard, and recorded using SoundForge. I recorded everything to WAV.

Be sure to check your levels carefully. You want your peaks to be high, but don't let them get clipped.

When you are done recording, you can Normalize in SoundForge to "Maximize Peak Levels". This will being your peak level up to clipping, but not beyond. This preserves your sound quality without adding compression or limiting.

cheers!
i figured this but the only thing i need by the sound of it is a decent sound card.
what are the best ones i can get please? I still want exactly the same sound quality as vinyl, so any preferences will be apreciated!

Emu "M" range is very good. Read some reviews. 1616M I think is the best option... It's an upgraded 1820M--> (out of production I believe.)
Besides of recording your vinyls through the card's "onboard" phono input it plays back all your other audio at a very nice quality also... At a reasonable price.
Lots of I/O, 2 mic preamps, 24bit/192khz, very low latency and jitter... You can switch from desktop to laptop easily if you get a pcmcia to pci adaptor! I have an 1820M. Very good.
Cheers! If you're on PC that is!

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct05/a ... u1616m.htm

hell below (not really) wrote:Emu "M" range is very good. Read some reviews. 1616M I think is the best option... It's an upgraded 1820M--> (out of production I believe.)
Besides of recording your vinyls through the card's "onboard" phono input it plays back all your other audio at a very nice quality also... At a reasonable price.
Lots of I/O, 2 mic preamps, 24bit/192khz, very low latency and jitter... You can switch from desktop to laptop easily if you get a pcmcia to pci adaptor! I have an 1820M. Very good.
Cheers! If you're on PC that is!

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct05/a ... u1616m.htm

definately. don´t get stuck in that maudio crap. sounds much worse.