I’m trying to get this new turntable working so that I can use the software that came with it to convert my old LP’s to MP3s. But when I hook it up the way I think it should be arranged, by inputting the only turntable output into the microphone jack, I can’t get the sound of the record on my laptop’s speakers. What am I doing wrong? (don’t go overboard on that one, thanks). C.
Err, is this supposed to be a debate?
Anyway, have you considered purchasing a USB turntable? That way it hooks straight on in to your computer and you don’t have to worry about conversion issues.
PS - This is not an endorsement of the product linked, that was simply the first USB turntable to show up in a google search.
Your laptop’s sound card isn’t a duplex card. If you want to record without buying any additional equipment, plug the table into the “line in” jack and set the Windows audio properties to look at that port for recording (this function may be available in your recording software). You aren’t going to get good results since the laptops sound card is probably noisy, but it should work. You must record first, then play back (your card won’t do both so you can’t monitor). Let us know if it works.
Debate that!
According to DAK, you can buy a little phono preamp to get your turntable output up to line-in levels for $29. A bit of looking will probably let you score one for for less than that.
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Moved to GQ.
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:smack: Ah, so I must have posted in Debates by mistake. Thank you for moving it.
re: the issue - the only line in that I can see on the guy’s laptop (this whole thread is on behalf of a buddy who’s trying to get the thing working and we’re both a couple of computer pinheads), is the microphone jack. The turntable does have a little preamp built in that they say to turn off. When we tried the recording software, the sound levels were either zero according to the little built in VU meter, or over the top. We recorded for about two minutes at low and high microphone levels. But when we played it back as a wav file through the software, we heard nothing, even at the spot where the graphics indicated max recording volume. And when we tried to burn it to a CD - also nada. If my son-in-law were here, he could solve this in a heartbeat. Alas, I am forced to bother the masses with it. Have I provided anything more to go on here?
Does the waveform appear to be that of the music coming from the record player or is it a big brick of noise?
2 possibilities: First, make sure the software is set to output via your sound card and not the modem or anything else. Second (though this is a long shot), it is possible that the wave file is in a format your laptop’s card doesn’t support (meaning that it’s a 24 or 32 bit wave and your card will only play 16 bit.) If the file is saved, right-click and select properties and see what it says. If this is the case, your software should let you save it to a suitable format. (On further thought, it’s possible that when you saved the recording, you chose “32bit PCM Wav” or something, which would have converted your 16bit recording to 32bit, then not allowed you to play the file OR burn to CD.)
What software are you using to record, BTW?
Just a brick. Not unlike when I am trying to record on my tape deck and I have the wrong configuration and I get a huge feedback loop and the VU meter pins to the right.
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It’s called Cakewalk, I believe.
Just a brick, huh? What happens when you record with nothing plugged in? Do you have a link to the model/specs of the turntable? Are there any other outputs on the turntable? Earlier you said that the only input was the mic jack; most laptops will have 3 jacks, mic, line in, headphones. Is this not the case here (perhaps an old laptop)? Can you describe the signal chain for us?
ETA: Shit, that’s a lot of questions. Sorry, but every bit of info helps.
Turn on the turntable’s preamp and plug it into the laptop’s Line In jack.
In addition to boosting the audio level, the preamp does a little jig called “RIAA equalization” - without it, the sound will be tinny.
CC, any luck yet or did you decide to have a few beers and blow it off?
Didn’t try that. Record what? We’re trying to get sound from an LP to the computer.
nope
no
Crap - ya know, I’m not even near the set-up any more. I told the guy to check this thread as a guest so he could see the questions directly. This is too much of an aggravation for me and you. Let’s all go get a beer.
ETA: Shit, that’s a lot of questions. Sorry, but every bit of info helps.
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No worries. It’s Friday and I plan on drinking a beer or 6 tonight. Wipe your hands of that mess and raise a pint. (We need a beer smiley!)
I don’t think that’s true, none of my laptops have 3 audio jacks. Just two (headphone and mic). Even the docking station for my Thinkpad has just two.
You’re right, I may be generalizing. My laptop at home has 3 it’s about 5 years old (at least, I think it has 3 connections).
Nothing, that is, the sound of nothing plugged in. You can see the noise your computer makes by doing this (or by plugging headphones in and cranking the sound volume up to hear the hiss). If it was still a big block of noise with no input, then that’s would be weird.
30 minutes and I’m off work. I’ll tell my friends to bring over some Yuengling. 
I got a little piece of hardware that allows you to plug in audio out lines from turntables and cassette decks, and converts them to MP3 and sends them over a usb connection to my laptop. $50, much cheaper than the MP3 turntable. I first tried it connecting the turntable to the audio in, and it wasn’t strong enough to drive the signal - total noise, though I could hear the music slightly. When I connected the audio out of your receiver or amp it worked fine. I’m not sure I’d recommend it yet - it is a bit of a pain in the neck to run, but it’s something I’ve been looking for for a while (and even started a thread on some time back.)
While on the topic of turntables and PCs, anybody have any recommendations on what kind of turntable to buy for this use? I’ve seen some of the USB turntables, but for some reason, they seem a bit hokey to me (though I can’t think of a single good reason why USB wouldn’t be able to handle that). I’m pretty sure my PC has line-in, and I’ve seen RCA-to-Minijack adapters in various places, so would just getting a regular turntable be a solid bet? How much should I expect to pay?
Just a reminder for those of you too young to remember component stereo systems, a turntable has a unique output. While a standard line input is a 600 ohm input, a phono output is 47,000 ohms. You need a pre-amp to get it to the 600 ohms needed for a line input.
Most mic inputs are 150 ohms. That won’t work either. Your best best is to find a phono preamp that is switchable between mic level and line level inputs and use that.
Or get yourself one of those USB turntables listed earlier.