Sorry if this is a repeat question. I have found some information from searches, but I wanted to make certain it pertained to my situation.
I am using Windows XP-Pro and running Audacity 2.0.1 on my Desktop.
I have a stero system with a Non-USB Turntable. I also have a laptop running Windows Vista without currently Audacity.
I would like to record Vinvly to MP3 to store and write to CD on my Desktop.
Rather then buy a USB turntable for my Desktop (or a stereo CD writer/recorder for my stereo) I thought I would put Audacity on my laptop, Connect my laptop to my stereo, record vinyl, and then transfer the songs back to my Desktop.
My Laptop does not have a line in input, only a mic input and two headphones output.
I have read about the Behringer UCA202 USB sound card, and it sounds like this is the solution. On my stereo system, I have a Headphone jack output on my receiver. The bigger type (not the smaller ones for iPods, etc.) Not sure of the name. So, I think I would need a Stereo headphone jack converter to an RCA input, to go into the Behringer UCA202 USB sound card and then connect that to my laptop?
Does that sounds correct? Please let me know if there is a better solution.
There’s a number of points in your post, so I’ll quote and respond to each:
The current version is 2.0.3. You can get it here: Audacity ® | Downloads Updating is recommended.
Unless you specifically want a data CD with MP3 files on it, forget about MP3. Normal audio CDs achieve high quality by using uncompressed audio data. MP3 is a compressed audio format that deliberately discards some of the audio information, trading off sound quality against file size - smaller file size with lower sound quality. For creating normal audio CDs, export from Audacity in WAV format.
Good idea. If you already have a decent turntable then you will probably get better recordings this way.
Hooray! It’s so refreshing to hear from someone that knows that a mic input is not a line input
(also, laptop mic inputs are usually lousy quality).
I use a UCA 202 and I’m very pleased with it - the case is just plastic and it has only very basic features, but it was inexpensive and the sound quality is excellent for the price.
A headphone output would probably work, but is not ideal.
How does your turntable connect to your amplifier, or is it an all-in-one system?
What connections are there on the back of the amplifier / receiver?
I’ll download the latest version, thanks for the tip on that and the MP3 vs. WAV difference.
I do not have an all in one stereo, I have separate units. My turn table connects to my amplifier/receiver through RCA cables (red and white) and also another thin wire connection (GND).
The back of the receiver/amplifier has VCR input/output, tape deck input/output, decoder connections, TV/DBS turner input, Video output for a TV, turntable input. That’s about it.
Thanks.
RR.
PS
Thanks for the comment about the mic vs. Line In, ha ha.
RR.
And just to be crystal clear, the turntable RCA connections and thin black wire are not “standard” stereo connections. They are the raw vinyl out of the cartridge complete with the RIAA distortion. The Phono-In of an amplifier or Phono Preamp is required to restore quality audio. That’s what your entertainment center amplifier is doing, and you can get a version of the Behringer that does it too. That’s the UFO-202 complete with a place to screw the thin black ground lead.
Nobody mentioned 78s, but that’s another sore point. 78s take a different needle than 45 and 33-1/3. There are ways of forcing a 33-1/3 turntable to play 78s, but the result is usually noisy and distorted. It’s a desperation method.
What is the difference between the UCA202 and the UFO202? Is it only that the UFO would be used for connecting the turntable directly in without the amp?
Would the UFO still work connecting the way we discussed here through the amp?
I am leaning toward the UCA, however for additional $10 is it worth it to have UFO for possible better quality or for that extra option?
I want to convert old cassette tapes too some of which are not of the best quality (taped off the TV ,etc.) Would either one of these work for that, or would only the UCA work? I was going to use a small cassette player I bought at Radio Shack for this, but I will also experiment with my stereo cassette player once hooked up the way discussed here. Since the wuality is not that great, I am thinking that a smaller power unit would work best to eliminate the Brr sound.
Sorry for the questions, but still trying to learn all of this. This is not for professional use, only personal.
I want to convert old cassette tapes too some of which are not of the best quality (taped off the TV ,etc.) Would either one of these work for that, or would only the UCA work? I was going to use a small cassette player I bought at Radio Shack for this, but I will also experiment with my stereo cassette player once hooked up the way discussed here. Since the wuality is not that great, I am thinking that a smaller power unit would work best to eliminate the Brr sound.
Hi,
From personal experience, I can say that only RCA connection between the line output of a stereo cassette deck and the line input of a PC will give you the best possible rendering. A smaller power unit would not work best to eliminate the Brr sound, on the contrary!
This said, if your original tapes “are not of the best quality”, they will not sound any better in their digitized version. If what you call “the Brr sound” was actually recorded, it will also be digitized. If this “Brr sound” comes from the cassette deck itself, it will no longer be heard in the digitized version.
If “the Brr sound” was actually recorded, you’ll have to use Audacity to try to filter it out of the digitized version, if at all possible.
Thanks again all. It took a little while to get it. I was a little ignorant about the whole preamp thing. Did a quick live chat with BandH too just to verify a cople of more questions. BTW - I recommend their live chat. He explained to me the line switch on the UFO model which lets you choose between using the preamp or not. I didn’t notice that before in the photos. Anyway, I think I’ll go with the UFO202. I probably won’t need the built in preamp, but for an extra $10 it’s nice to have just in case. If it were way more money, I probably would go with the UCA202.
As for the cassette tapes, I see what you mean about the brr sound not going away. Yes, it does sound like more of an Audacity issue rather then a connection issue. Playing around with the treble and bass. Most of the cassettes were taped with smaller cassette players so I was thinking the more power the more the imperfections come out. I’ll play around with both ways and I am sure I’ll have some more questions once I start doing the cassettes.
