What programs do you use to convert vinyl etc to mp3?

eatingrich · Dec 14, 2006, 07:16 PM

Alright folks, I'm looking into converting vinyl to mp3s and its all so confusing.

Originally I was going to go with the Xitel INport, but it seems quite expensive even though its designed as a complete package sort of thing.

Then on ebay there are various ones you can get for like a tenner including phono cable but they seem quite cheap and I'm not sure the programs will be of that great a quality, with regards to reducing noise on the cassettes and records.

I've also seen Media Digitiser, Spin It Again and Sound Recorder and Editor by Polderbits.

Does anyone use any of these programs? Any you would recommend?

I want to convert them but would like to get my moneys worth, apart from ebay, all the programs cost about £20 anyway, so they are technically cheaper than the INport, but on the other hand with the INport you've got a physical product in your hand.

What would you recommend?

Cheers!

Matth · Dec 15, 2006, 04:15 PM

The USB Turntable that seems to be available all over the place seems to be a cool option - but expensive.

If you already have a turntable with an integral or seperate phono pre-amp, or system capable of feeding a recording deck (using headphone out is a bit of a compromise) then it depends if the existing PC sound capabilities are adequate.

As for software, the freeware Audacity is more than adequate to record and edit. Other programs may be better for cleaning, if more cleaning is needed.

eatingrich · Dec 16, 2006, 12:33 PM

thanks for the reply.

I have seen the USB turntable but its £120 and just for vinyl so it seems quite limited for the price!

I have a portable turntable with a phono connection so I could connect it to my soundcard. My sound system on the pc isn't that great, but my girlfriends pc is probably better, but I could always upgrade it and wouldn't mind doing that anyway.

Audacity? I'll check it out, its the cleaning aspect I'm concerned about you see, the way I see it is if I get a crappy download and its crap at cleaning it up, its worthless in a sense.

On the other hand they're all shareware so I just need to get hold of a phono cable and test em all I suppose!

Thanks for the heads up re audacity.

RoyBatty · Dec 16, 2006, 03:14 PM

You could try GoldWave, I think it has more features than Audacity, but it is shareware.

Matth · Dec 16, 2006, 10:29 PM

Also, see what your main CD-R suite offers, Nero has a basic wave editor with the usual scratch & click filters, most of the others also have one.

Dec 14, 2006, 07:16 PM	#1
eatingrich HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 159 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	What programs do you use to convert vinyl etc to mp3? Alright folks, I'm looking into converting vinyl to mp3s and its all so confusing. Originally I was going to go with the Xitel INport, but it seems quite expensive even though its designed as a complete package sort of thing. Then on ebay there are various ones you can get for like a tenner including phono cable but they seem quite cheap and I'm not sure the programs will be of that great a quality, with regards to reducing noise on the cassettes and records. I've also seen Media Digitiser, Spin It Again and Sound Recorder and Editor by Polderbits. Does anyone use any of these programs? Any you would recommend? I want to convert them but would like to get my moneys worth, apart from ebay, all the programs cost about £20 anyway, so they are technically cheaper than the INport, but on the other hand with the INport you've got a physical product in your hand. What would you recommend? Cheers! __________________ Check out my gaming blog for stuff about Windows Phone, retro gaming and Xbox - www.zombiesatemyxbox.com

Dec 15, 2006, 04:15 PM	#2
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	The USB Turntable that seems to be available all over the place seems to be a cool option - but expensive. If you already have a turntable with an integral or seperate phono pre-amp, or system capable of feeding a recording deck (using headphone out is a bit of a compromise) then it depends if the existing PC sound capabilities are adequate. As for software, the freeware Audacity is more than adequate to record and edit. Other programs may be better for cleaning, if more cleaning is needed. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Dec 16, 2006, 12:33 PM	Thread Starter #3
eatingrich HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 159 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	thanks for the reply. I have seen the USB turntable but its £120 and just for vinyl so it seems quite limited for the price! I have a portable turntable with a phono connection so I could connect it to my soundcard. My sound system on the pc isn't that great, but my girlfriends pc is probably better, but I could always upgrade it and wouldn't mind doing that anyway. Audacity? I'll check it out, its the cleaning aspect I'm concerned about you see, the way I see it is if I get a crappy download and its crap at cleaning it up, its worthless in a sense. On the other hand they're all shareware so I just need to get hold of a phono cable and test em all I suppose! Thanks for the heads up re audacity. __________________ Check out my gaming blog for stuff about Windows Phone, retro gaming and Xbox - www.zombiesatemyxbox.com

Dec 16, 2006, 10:29 PM	#5
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Also, see what your main CD-R suite offers, Nero has a basic wave editor with the usual scratch & click filters, most of the others also have one. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Dec 16, 2006, 03:14 PM	#4
RoyBatty HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 1,941 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	You could try GoldWave, I think it has more features than Audacity, but it is shareware.