I have an old (1980s), cheap Radio Shack tape deck that I have been using successfully to transfer old cassettes to CD using Audacity. It is hooked up to my Audio In and I’ve experimented enough with Audacity 1.3.x that I have quite good results. So I know what to expect when using the software.
Today I received a UFO-202 USB/Audio Interface and I set it up with the turntable from my stereo system. It is almost 3 a.m. and I have been messing with this since about 8pm, and can’t get a good recording. Input and Output Level Meters are redlined even with the Input and Output Volumes adjusted very low. Result is a recording that has both tracks in the record window solid blocks of red… sometimes I can adjust the Input Vol slider low enough that I start to get some blue, but it is totally “flat” top and bottom. If I save a bit of this mess, and run Noise Removal on it, it erases all sound. Unfortunately, the turntable has no adjustment capability.
I have read the manual and looked at other Behringer questions on the forum with no success. I thought my next step might be to get a couple of RCA to RCA connectors so I could try to hook the turntable up to Audi In like I have the cassette deck.
What sort of turntable?
Are you connected to a “phono out” on the turntable or a “line out”? In other words, does the turntable have a built-in phono pre-amp? If it does the UDO-202 needs to be set to “Line”.
Input and Output Level Meters are redlined even with the Input and Output Volumes adjusted very low.
That may be a danger sign right there. The natural course of events has only the red recording meters operating. If your (Windows) machine is also set to record internet audio, then you could be trying to record one massive feedback loop.
Only if you have an older turntable that doesn’t do anything else and doesn’t have a USB connection would you use the UFO-202 in Phono mode.
Doesn’t the UFO-202 have a headphone connection on it? Close Audacity, plug headphones into the UFO-202 and play a record. You may need to switch the monitor selector. I bet the record sounds fine.
Only if Software Playthrough is Off. If it is On, then both the recording and playback meters will operate, and show identical levels.
@NickGC: what type of cartridge does the turntable have? If it is a ceramic cartridge it will overload the phono inputs on the UFO-202.
Koz’s advice about connecting headphones to the UFO-202 is worth trying - it will tell you if the problem is with the input to the UFO-202 or with the connection to the computer. The UFO-202 does not have a monitor switch, but does have a headphone volume control.
Thanks for all the support… I am still recovering from yesterday, and barely coherent (I also finally got around to setting my desktop up to my HDTV).
I may have found the problem thanks to your valued responses. Here is manufacturer’s blurb for my Aiwa PX-E860:
“The PX-E860 is the analog record player with built-in phono-equalizer that allows records to be played over mini component systems, which have no phono-input terminals. In fact, the player can be hooked up to both radio-cassette recorders and TV sets that have terminals for external input. Aiwa’s affordable new record player was developed for those who want to listen to their collection of analog records, or want to purchase some of the new analog record releases. The turntable is fully automatic and comes with a smooth belt drive system for clean, clear reproduction. The unit also features VM type dual magnet system cartridge.”
I am afraid I wasn’t paying attention and just assumed this lightweight unit didn’t have a pre-amp. Since it apparently does, I suspect I should return the UFO-202 and simply play the turntable through my sound card the way I have the cassette deck attached. I guess its off to the Shack to pick up a couple of connectors.
Okay, I re-read responses and had some time to test on the UFO set to “Line In” and it is working much better. Thanks! I am still getting a heck of a lot of clipping that I don’t get with cassettes, so I will experiment. Any quick tips? Do you think I should still spend the few bucks to test the direct to Audio card method that I use with cassettes?