Then, if you’re using Windows 8.1 or above, press the Start button, then type Settings. Select the input that you want to use by going to the Edit menu and then in the Recording section, choosing either Line In or USB. If you don’t have passive headphones available, you’ll need to check a short recording before diving head first into the whole catalog. (Check out our list of best preamps under $200 if you need some recommendations.) If the output is too quiet, or the sound quality is not what you expect, then you may need to purchase a preamp. Again, this can be tested with passive headphones.
Now is the time to test how good the preamp on your turntable is. If you’re using line in and line out, make sure your cables are in good condition and don’t create any buzz – you can test this with headphones. If you’re using a newer Mac, you might need an adapter when using the USB connection.
You are trying to get the best recording possible, so any build up of dust or skin oils could potentially cause immortalized blemishes – and I’m going to assume that you don’t have limitless free time to record the same records over and over.Ī microfiber brush may be enough to remove any noticeable problems. Make sure all of your records are clean before recording.Check out our master guide to turntable isolation if your setup needs help reducing vibrations. While recording, any external noise and vibration can end up on the recorded file, so try to make sure there are no annoyances around that can cause the needle to skip or the turntable to vibrate. Chances are you’ve already got a decent environment for listening to your music, though now you need to take some extra care. Convert Vinyl Records to Digital Files Using Audacity The higher the better here though if you have the storage space and a decent computer. You should also ensure that the sampling rate is at least 44.1kHz in 16 bits.
From there, you can make copies into more portable file types such as. When you convert vinyl records to digital format for the first time, I would recommend purchasing (if you don’t already have one) a high capacity hard drive – the size depends on your library obviously – so that you can digitize your records in a lossless format, like. mp3 is compressed and therefore a smaller file size. flac is a lossless format and larger file size, whereas.
The guide below is focused on how to use Audacity.Flac vs. mp3 so these advantages are, in my opinion, not worth spending money on. The main advantages they offer are a cleaner interface and a wider range of file types. There are a couple of premium (paid) alternatives that are designed specifically for converting vinyl to digital, such as VinylStudio and Pure Vinyl. Hopefully, the step by step guide below helps you overcome this. The one downside to Audacity is that the interface is not the most user friendly experience you’ll ever encounter. It’s free to use without restriction, it works on Windows, Mac and Linux, and it is extremely powerful.
Most people who convert their vinyl records to digital files will use a piece of software called Audacity. You may also need an external preamp or analog digital converter (ADC) if your turntable is on the budget side.Īs I mentioned previously, if your turntable does not have a good preamp built in, you may need to purchase an external one to get the desired results.įor best results, ensure that your record player is spinning consistently and at the perfect speed. Your turntable needs to have either a USB output, or a line out connection which will require an RCA to 3.5mm cable. Turntable Requirements to Convert Vinyl to Digital Records can be more fragile than CDs, and audio files stored on hard drives or flash storage will last longer than a vinyl record played with any regularity. Records that you listen to regularly can wear out, especially if you have trouble keeping them in suitable humidity or temperature, stored correctly, or your turntable’s counterweight isn’t suitable, or the needle has the wrong tip – you get the idea. If portability isn’t your main concern, consider preservation. The next time you’re at home listening to one of your prized records, you can also record the tracks to your computer and create your own digital copies that retain the vinyl sound. It sounds colder, more sterile, perhaps over-compressed. Record players are not exactly portable, and now all of your favorite music is in streamed or downloaded digital form. Every evening, you sit down, pop in a record and sink into the warm comfort of music on vinyl.
You’ve spent a chunk of money building your record collection.