# Ripping vinyl records to Archive CD. What setup is needed?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [October 15, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260 "2010-10-15T16:42:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/1 "2010-10-15T16:42:52Z")
I have several vinyl records that have never come out on CD.
Id like to rip them to archive cd’s for my own use. Preferably as cheaply as possible.
Do I needed to plug the turntable directly into the pc’s sound card? Or do you get better results going through a stereo Amp? My Amp has phono jacks and line out.
I was think about using audacity to capture. Are there any special settings/filters I should set?
What’s the best way to get rid of clicks & pops? Should I delete/cut a “click/pop” out or try and filter it somehow?
How good of a recording can a pc sound card give? Mine is just a basic one built-in to the motherboard. I guess it’s 16bit or maybe 32bit? The motherboard is 2 years old.
Is noise/hum a problem with recording from pc’s?
thanks in advance. 😃 😃
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### Author:  [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/2 "2010-10-15T17:29:19Z")
I’ll start:
You can’t plug your turntable into your sound card (assuming it’s a typical vinyl records age turntable) because the stylus doesn’t put out a high enough voltage, and the EQ of the stylus needs to be massaged. You can pick up a cheap “phono preamp” at a place like Radio Shack that will address both of these issues.
Since you want to stay cheap, Audacity is a good way to go, and I believe it even has built-in click and pop filters that you can use.
The sound quality you get will depend a lot on your PC but (with no knowledge other than a gut feeling) I expect that you will get pretty good results.
To help avoid noise/hum, I would suggest that you have the turntable, the preamp, and your PC all plugged into the same outlet. YMMV
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### Author:  [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/3 "2010-10-15T17:31:39Z")
If you have a standard turntable you definitely need to run it through a phono amp instead of directly into the sound card. They also make USB turntables now that you can plug directly into a USB port without an amp.
Basically what I do is fire up Audacity, start recording, put the needle down, and record an entire album side. Save the album side, then I run it through the click removal filter. It doesn’t remove everything but it does a fairly decent job of cleaning it up. Then I go back and save each track individually as a WAV file. Repeat with side two, then burn all the files to CD.
I’ve never had a problem with hum when ripping LPs.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/4 "2010-10-15T18:54:18Z")
thanks. 😉 I have quite a few LP’s I haven’t played in 15 years. looking forward to getting them on cd.
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### Author:  [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/5 "2010-10-16T02:06:54Z")
I’ve never tried to do that with a turntable, but I have done it with tapes and I was able to run the line-level output to the sound card mike jack (edit - or it may have been another input jack - not sure). I have no idea how much of a difference there is though between line-level for a tape deck and line-level for a turntable.
If it turns out that you need a pre-amp, don’t get the usb turntables. I doubt they are as high quality as even an old BIC belt drive with a decent cartridge. I would find an old integrated amp (pre + power amp) - which will usually be in the form of a receiver unit. Use the line-level outputs from that.
I would also look into getting some pop removal software. It used to be really expensive - like a couple of decades ago - but I’m sure there are consumer versions now. I’ve heard they do a fantastic job of cleaning up worn recordings but have no personal experience with them.
Have fun!
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### Author:  [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/6 "2010-10-16T05:18:14Z")
Don’t forget, you will also have to worry about invading hordes of audiophiles outraged at the thought of you transforming vinyl into the Format That Dare Not Speak Its Name. So you might want to invest in some barbed wire, a couple of grenades and a Taser.
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### Author:  [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/7 "2010-10-16T08:46:03Z")
> [@dzero](#):
>
> I have no idea how much of a difference there is though between line-level for a tape deck and line-level for a turntable.
Magnetic phono cartridges do not put out line level. As mentioned by **Lare** , you need a pre-amp to raise the output up to line level, and also to apply RIAA equalization. An unequalized transfer will sound very thin.
You should consider the quality of your sound card. Some cheapo cards have poor A-D converters.
Another approach is to buy a stereo CD burner. This type of burner connects directly to your stereo and operates very much like a tape recorder. No computer is involved. The main advantage is ease of use, which is something to consider if you have a lot of LPs to transfer. The disadvantages are lack of noise reduction (i.e. pop and tick elimination) and slightly more expensive blanks (only special audio CD blanks will work in these units). I did a search and found a Sony RCDW500C for about $240.
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### Author:  [@firstname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/firstname)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/8 "2010-10-16T09:06:15Z")
My recommendation is to simply download the albums you wish to archive. This will most likely be quicker and cheaper. Unless what you have is especially rare or uncommon.
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### Author:  [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/9 "2010-10-16T13:31:15Z")
I would also check out [hydrogenaudio](http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/).
These people are SERIOUS audiophiles. They will give you some excellent and very technical advice, but it’s worth a read. Just search the forums. Or ask, they’re nice as long as you’re not a music pirate, they hate that 🙂
I knew someone who worked at a music store and he had a pretty elaborate set up to transfer vinyl to digital and I was shocked at how well it came out. So if you know what you’re doing and have the right equipment, you’ll be amazed at how well you do
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### Author:  [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/10 "2010-10-16T14:44:30Z")
> [@firstname](#):
>
> My recommendation is to simply download the albums you wish to archive. This will most likely be quicker and cheaper. Unless what you have is especially rare or uncommon.
Yeah, I don’t know what specific albums the OP’s looking to rip, but this here is why I’ll be doing the same thing shortly.
In my efforts to accumulate all things canonical by Dire Straits, the gaping hole in the catalog is the “Twisting By the Pool” EP. It is not available for sale as a digital download, nor as a CD. Since this is not the case, I figured I would not actually be harming anyone by acquiring the EP by less…legitimate…means. Couldn’t find it. I asked my 21-year-old daughter to look around the shadier corners of the internet for .mp3s. No joy. I eventually found a vinyl copy at a used record store. But, since I don’t own a turntable, I’ll have to convert it to a digital copy somehow.
There are a lot of old records at my parents’ house that I’d like to revisit, so I’ll probably buy one of those USB turntables and just do a lot of ripping when I visit for Thanksgiving.
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### Author:  [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/11 "2010-10-16T16:02:46Z")
You can buy turntables that have a USB port. A quick check on pricing shows turntables going from $45 to $180 and up. Never used one myself, or know anyone who has, so I can’t comment on the resulting quality, but presumably this would be the easiest and simplest method.
Google “USB turntable” if you want to check it out.
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### Author:  [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/12 "2010-10-16T19:27:45Z")
Yes indeed, I have one of these and it works great. Also, you can plug a cassette player into the mic jack and copy your old tapes as well.
> **[Amazon.com: Numark TTUSB | 33 1/3 & 45 RPM Turntable with USB Audio...](https://www.amazon.com/Numark-TTUSB-Turntable-Interface-Output/dp/B000G3FNVM)**
>
> Product Description Turntable with USB Audio Interface Amazon.com The TTUSB is a unique, plug and play, USB compatible turntable that makes digitizing your vinyl record collection to your PC or Mac a snap. Packaged with...
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### Author:  [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/13 "2010-10-16T22:07:39Z")
[quote=“carlb, post:10, topic:557260”]
> [@firstname](#):
>
> I asked my 21-year-old daughter to look around the shadier corners of the internet for .mp3s. No joy.
Everything (most everything) binary on usenet is indexed by various search engines like [binsearch.info](http://www.binsearch.info). There is also an advanced search feature.
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/14 "2010-10-16T22:39:58Z")
> [@carlb](#):
>
> > [@firstname](#):
> >
> > My recommendation is to simply download the albums you wish to archive. This will most likely be quicker and cheaper. Unless what you have is especially rare or uncommon.
>
> Yeah, I don’t know what specific albums the OP’s looking to rip, but this here is why I’ll be doing the same thing shortly.
>
> In my efforts to accumulate all things canonical by Dire Straits, the gaping hole in the catalog is the “Twisting By the Pool” EP. It is not available for sale as a digital download, nor as a CD. Since this is not the case, I figured I would not actually be harming anyone by acquiring the EP by less…legitimate…means. Couldn’t find it. I asked my 21-year-old daughter to look around the shadier corners of the internet for .mp3s. No joy. I eventually found a vinyl copy at a used record store. But, since I don’t own a turntable, I’ll have to convert it to a digital copy somehow.
>
> There are a lot of old records at my parents’ house that I’d like to revisit, so I’ll probably buy one of those USB turntables and just do a lot of ripping when I visit for Thanksgiving.
A huge percentage of our vinyl has not, and as far as I can tell, never will come out on CD or digital download. Things like songs recorded for release as part of holiday compilations distributed by the record company for radio stations and record stores.
I’ll be damned as a “pirate” by some for confessing this, but doing the heyday of Napster and Audiogalaxy, I put up a few songs I had ripped from vinyl. Go ahead, pillory me! The fact is, in some cases, it brought enough renewed attention to the songs that they wound up being released on CD. I know this is the case, because I put my own info in the ID3 tags of the songs, and would download them every so often to check that they were my rips. Audiogalaxy allowed me to see where people were downloading the songs, and I was able to see that these songs were starting to be mentioned in the music press. About six months later, the album was released on CD - nearly 20 years after being remaindered.
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### Author:  [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/15 "2010-10-16T22:52:31Z")
> [@gaffa](#):
>
> I’ll be damned as a “pirate” by some for confessing this, but doing the heyday of Napster and Audiogalaxy, I put up a few songs I had ripped from vinyl. Go ahead, pillory me! The fact is, in some cases, it brought enough renewed attention to the songs that they wound up being released on CD. I know this is the case, because I put my own info in the ID3 tags of the songs, and would download them every so often to check that they were my rips. Audiogalaxy allowed me to see where people were downloading the songs, and I was able to see that these songs were starting to be mentioned in the music press. About six months later, the album was released on CD - nearly 20 years after being remaindered.
That is extremely cool. Congrats! 😃
---
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/16 "2010-10-17T02:36:24Z")
Thanks for all the help. All the recommendations for USB got me to looking at this.
ART V2 USB Phono Plus DJ Preamp
> **[Amazon.com: ART USB Phono Plus : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/ART-USB-Phono-Plus-PS/dp/B000BBGCCI)**
>
> USB Phono Plus Project Series. The USB Phono Plus from ART is the ideal solution for transferring your highly prized vinyl collection to your computer or laptop, and also works great as an audio interface between analog and digital sources. The built...
I did some checking around and the reviews were good. Basically it takes my vintage Marantz turntable and makes it USB. The preamp/usb gadget even has a gain control to set recording levels. I suspect the EQ in the preamp is better than the typical low end sound chip that’s integrated into motherboards. I know my Marantz turntable has excellent specs. All it needs is a new cartridge/needle and I’m good to go.
I also splurged on a copy of _Spin it Again_. Several reviewers praised it’s de clicking feature. It also does pretty well at automatically splitting up the tracks. I could have done that manually in audacity. But, what the heck. I want to make the vinyl ripping as painless as possible. $39 won’t kill me. 😉
> **[Amazon.com: Acoustica Spin It Again : Musical Instruments](https://www.amazon.com/Acoustica-ACTA16-Spin-It-Again/dp/B000FBL3GE)**
>
> The Easy Way to Convert Your LPs and Cassettes to Clean, Digital Recordings. Remember all those 'oldies but goodies'? They just don't make those classic vinyl LPs and cassette tapes on CD. Well, dust off your old 33's, 45's & 78's, because...
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### Author:  [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/17 "2010-10-17T04:04:57Z")
I’ve done it the old classical way (pre-computer-era turnatable, amplifier, output to speakers remapped using RCA to stereo headphone jack adapter into computer’s sound-in port) and the new modern way (computer-era turntables with USB output, direct to computer’s USB port).
If I had 500 vinyl albums to convert I’d do them the old-fashioned classical way (using turntables built to last). If I had a dozen, I’d use the USB $49 Radio Shack special USB turntable, it will last long enough for such purposes and it’s eaiser to set up.
Mac user here, in the old days I used SoundEdit 16, nowadays I do the recording using QuickTime Player which has a manu item for recording new sound recordings, and I still use venerable SoundEdit 16 (in the classic environment no less) to chop 'em up and do any other necessary edits afterwards.
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### Author:  [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/18 "2010-10-17T14:35:23Z")
[One recent thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12403199)and [one a](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272361)bit old but very thorough. I’m sure there have been technological breakthroughs since 2005 but the thread should still be helpful.
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### Author:  [@Dano83860](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dano83860)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/19 "2010-10-17T15:30:43Z")
CNET has done most of the heavy lifting on this project for you.
> **[CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news](https://www.cnet.com/)**
>
> Get full-length product reviews, the latest news, tech coverage, daily deals, and category deep dives from CNET experts worldwide.
I got a better quality sound card for my pc and it made a world of difference.
I found that the filter in Audicity took out a great deal of the music quality as well as the pops and scratches. I dont use it any more.
This is a great project for cold winter days. Enjoy
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### Author:  [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)
#### Post date: [October 17, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ripping-vinyl-records-to-archive-cd-what-setup-is-needed/557260/20 "2010-10-17T15:54:54Z")
> [@carlb](#):
>
> In my efforts to accumulate all things canonical by Dire Straits, the gaping hole in the catalog is the “Twisting By the Pool” EP. It is not available for sale as a digital download, nor as a CD. Since this is not the case, I figured I would not actually be harming anyone by acquiring the EP by less…legitimate…means. Couldn’t find it. I asked my 21-year-old daughter to look around the shadier corners of the internet for .mp3s. No joy. I eventually found a vinyl copy at a used record store. But, since I don’t own a turntable, I’ll have to convert it to a digital copy somehow.
Check your private messages.
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