Okay, it seems there is a critical mass of music nerds here to help out an old guy. Me and Mrs. B-Bob have some very nice old records, and we want to digitize the music. A/D is pretty simple in principle, but I'm very open to advice. I've seen a few products, but some of them are spendy, and it seems like this should be pretty easy and cheap, basically going from standard old RCA jacks to something that would work as input to a laptop, no? Your thoughts/advice?
I'm going to hop into this thread with my own question ... my 'vintage' Fisher record player is broken should I have it repaired or buy a new one. To answer B-Bob's question -- I did a few albums years ago using a program called 'Sound Forge' and it was a bit of a pain, but now I think they have simple free play and record programs that do everything or you can buy a record player that plugs into your computer.
Oh sure, but without pirating or paying for the music all over again, we should be able to make our own copies. Or maybe I am being daft about the world of free music. Many of them are classic albums (e.g. original Beatles runs, that we may sell) and some are pretty obscure and may not be digitized (e.g. old punk stuff, including 7-inch collectors stuff). Cheetah, if you use the software you mentioned, what hardware do I need?
paying for the music again may be cheaper than having it digitized, unless you are really craving the older "sound" and feel of the vinyl, which is understandable.
As I recall it was just coax cables (red/ white) with a male plug (headphone jack) at one end you plugged in the back of the computer. I was using my old Fisher (which is actually really nice) -but feedback was an issue. Other than that you just watch the meters bounce up and down and insert a pause between songs.
You were not kidding about the Fisher? What's wrong with it? Sometimes they are easy to fix, and that's much better than buying new I think (pending needle supply, as in most of my hobbies.)
Yeah, i've messed with it quite a bit and cannot figure out why it won't play correctly anymore. Everything looks right... but it's about 30 years old now. I wouldn't throw it out or anything, but i'm guessing I could buy a new one for what it would cost to fix this old one. I've checked all the basics (gears, needle, belt, etc.) and they look good -- i'm just not sure what's up with this thing.
Also, when I did put some records on the computer it was a bit of a hassle so I just did a few -- i'm guessing it's much easier now. Hell, i've got a few tapes I wouldn't mind putting on the computer.
B-Bob, there are many factors to consider. How much of an audiophile are you? What quality are the records in at this time? How much actual TIME do you think you can/will devote to this project? How much digital space do you have/want to make for the music? On what type of audio system will you be playing the digital reproductions? There are quite a few direct-to-mp3 turntables out there right now. Some are more expensive/higher quality than others. As far as purchasing digitized versions instead of making them, consider the amount of time you're willing to allot to this project. Keep in mind that vinyl can only be "ripped" in real time.
These are the questions you need to answer along with how much $$$$ you are willing to spend. Doing a cheap vinyl to mp3 is a waste of time IMO because the result will be lower quality than just getting the mp3 now (and will likely cost you more time and $$$) doing it well with a good setup will result in much higher quality. I have a Supertramp vinyl rip that destroys. but if your vinyl is in bad shape or you are unwilling to spend time/money i doubt it is worth it.
If done well, it isn't cheap. If done cheap, it won't be done well and thus not worth the time. Like others said, it is only worth it if you don't mind the time and money investment and if you have a good system on which to play it. If you just want to burn crappy mp3's to rock out on your iPod + earbuds while doin' 'speriments in your dingy nerd lair, then you are dumb.
PS - unless your vinyl is in physical danger and you must preserve your original pressing of Captain and Tennille's "Live at CBGB", the whole point of vinyl is that it isn't digital, right?
You always have my back, ... except when I wear chaps. And rimbaud, we are thinking of selling the whole thing off while everything is in good shape. I'm kind of surprised the prices I've found for selling records in San Francisco.
Really? Dude, you are in San Fran: crazy expensive, hipsters wanting to be retro and oldies wanting to be oldies + a small but rabidly obsessive community that is willing to pay anything for "warmth" and "space" and "non-digital" + B-Bob's collection of 70's AM favorites and 80's Russian dance pop = MEGA BUCKS.
