Audacity Forum

I finally got an entire vinyl recorded and burned on a CD with very good results. However, I have since had intermittent USB connection problems trying to record more albums. I got a new cable, but that hasn't helped. What can I do to improve the connection? I have an Intel based desk top iMac running Tiger, and I am using the center of the three USB ports, which seems to be the best of the three, but the problem still exists. Needless to say, it is very annoying to have to keep starting over so often. Also, would it help to have more memory installed, to improve the buffering?

Sally

I presume you're using a USB turntable?

Is it powered by USB, or does it have a separate power supply?
If it's powered from the USB port, but has the option of a separate power supply, then try that.

More memory is always good - well if you've got less than a gig of RAM, more memory is definitely good.

<<<I have since had intermittent USB connection problems>>>

Can you spend a little more time with that? "I know they're USB problems because...?"

<<<I am using the center of the three USB ports, which seems to be the best of the three>>>

You should be in number two, yes, but the little voices in the back of my head are no longer whispering, they're jumping up and down and telling me you shouldn't need to "tune" your USB ports for best results. You are using the native USB connections in the back of your iMac, right, not a hub? The turntable should work equally well in 2 or 3. It could be argued that you shouldn't be in number one, but that's not conclusive, that's just a fuzzy best practice.

If you have all new USB cables and the Mac USB ports work for other jobs, then your turntable USB electronics may not be up to the job. You certainly wouldn't be the first person to discover a problem like this. Your computer is top of the heap, stable, and well respected, but your turntable (almost no matter who made it) is a throw-away priced for people who "just want to convert a few albums" and then it goes out in the garage with the Chia Pet and Hula Hoop. I marvel at how they produce a whole turntable and electronics for the price we used to pay for just the needle and cartridge--and sometimes not the needle. The Shure Brothers M97xE phono cartridge lists for US$140.

If you had continuous problems pretty much from the time you took the turntable out of the box, you may have a bad turntable. If there is any way to try this turntable on another Mac, I would do it. Audacity is free, so it's just finding another machine. Do you have an old PowerBook? My thousand-year old Dual-USB iBook would do this.

Koz

I don't have access to another computer at home to test the USB turntable, but there is a retailer nearby that carries them. I may inquire there. However, I do have a good Technics turntable as part of my stereo system. It may be worth the trouble of pulling it out of the cabinet, and getting an amp, or what ever is needed, and proceed with this project that way. What do you guys think? I am determined to do this, and am now retired, so have the time.

<<< What do you guys think?>>>

I think I'm going to find you part numbers and instructions, but it's going to take me a minute.

Koz

OK. First we'll do the stand-alone method. Don't do anything until you read the whole posting.

Yes, you will need to buy one or two things. It's not dreadful.

Phono Preamp
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index. ... reamp&sr=1
I think they're the only company left doing this.

3.5mm > Dual RCA Cable
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/i ... 0/119/6%22

Radio Shack used to make a perfectly workable cable like that for about US$3, but they "upgraded" to the ©Gold Line!! Super!! Monster Cable®!! version and get you for something like US$17 each. You do not get 8 times the performance. Sometimes, they admit they still have the old ones in the back of the store.

Anyway, you will need access to the cables where the turntable plugs into your amplifier. Plug those cables into your new preamp and don't forget the little thin black ground wire. That's a lot more important than it looks. From the preamp outputs to the new audio cable and then on to the Line-In of your iMac. This will be the Mac connector labeled with the tiny circle and two black arrows pointing inward. Plug the preamp into the wall power.

Open Mac System Preferences > Hardware > Sound > Input and select the Line-In.

Put a record on. You should see the System Panel lights flash in time to the music.

Close everything. Open Audacity and select the Default input and tap once inside the red Record meters. They should jump, too. Press record. Drink coffee.

-------------- - - --------------

Version two.

We may be able to use the phono preamplifier inside your existing amplifier. If you have a comprehensive enough amplifier, it may have a "Tape-Out" connection on the back. The purpose of Tape-Out is to grab the sound in the middle of the amplifier (after the preamp but before the speaker electronics) and feed it out to the outside world. Most circuits provide the audio signal no matter where the volume control is. Your mileage may vary. Consult your local listings. Void where prohibited.

So you still need that extra audio cable, but this time, it goes between your Tape-Out (usually RCA connectors) and the Line-In of your iMac. Play a test record, set preferences, tap meters, etc. etc. etc. Everything else is the same.

If that works, you saved yourself US$35 on the preamp.

Go to town. Your audio system will be as reliable as it always was and Audacity no longer has to worry about bitstream mismatches, dirty USB cables, driver chip failure, and data corruption. Just Glenn Miller.

"Pennsylvania Six Five Thousand!

Koz

Hey Koz,

You are too cool! If I had known about this (version 1), I would have saved over $100.00 on the sh---y USB turntable I bought! But it has been a great learning experience for me, and at least the first recording was successful, 'cause I wanted to send the resulting CDs to my family and a friend for Xmas. They were put in the mail today. I am not sure when I will get to Radio Shack to pick up these two items, but I will certainly keep you posted. It sounds so much easier AND MORE RELIABLE than using the USB turntable I bought. Know anyone who wants it?!?

Happy Holidays!

Sally

<<<Happy Holidays!>>>

Same to you, but you really should try version two first. That way, you don't have to move the turntable at all or disconnect it. And it's cheaper.

Koz

Sally,

I started out with an ION iTTUSB deck as I thought it would be simpler and less clutter - it did work, but I gave up eventually because of excessive wow and flutter.

I now use my old Technics deck dragged out of the attic - and fitted with a brand new cartridge (the old one shed the diamond stylus after just a couple of plays). The TT is fed through my wife's old Technics amp in the manner that Koz suggests in his Version 2. I then feed this through an externaf soundcard (Edirol UA-1EX) to my PC via USB - though cabling to the computer's on-board soundcard should be ok too.

The Technics setup definitely provides consistently better results than the ION.

If your USB turntable is faulty, and it sounds as though it may be, you should definitely return it - and try to get your money back - otherwise you may be able to sell it.

The only other item I have added recently is some software called ClickRepair from Brian Davies, costs us$40 (following a good steer from Koz). This produces excellent results and is much quicker than doing it manually as I was doing before. Audacity does have its own click repair effect, but it doesn't work very well.

Anyway it's back to my workbench - Beethoven's 9th today - Glenn Miller I will get to in a month or so's time.

WC

Koz,

The reason why version 1 would be better for me, in spite of the extra expense, is that all my components are housed in a very old antique chest and it's a pain to remove them. The turntable is the easiest to get out, and since I like to listen to music in the evening, I would not be able to do that if I took the receiver out. I can live without the turntable hooked up in there, as I don't use it that much any more, and it may be unhooked for a very long time, considering how long it may take me to digitize my vinyls. My Mac is in another room, and there's plenty of room to put the turntable within reach.

Thanks again! Your help has been invaluable!

Sally