USB Turntable now not recording but cassettes do [SOLVED]

[ChrissieP]

I have a Neostar USB turntable music combo and using Audacity 1.2 earlier this year recorded vinyl and then cassettes.
I tried to do some recording this week and the turntable would not record although cassettes and CDs still do.
I visited the forum and spent 8 hours trying all recommendations to no avail therefore I've updated Audacity to v 2.1.2 to get some help (The PC is offline and uses Windiws XP).
I was hoping the update would solve the issue but the turntable will still not record although there is no problem with cassettes or CDs. When I say will not record I mean there is a flat blue line even though the input meter fluctuates.
Is it possible to help? I may have simply forgotten to do something obvious with the turntable or jacks???? but I think the Audacity and Audio sound setups must be ok because I can record the cassettes with no problem.
Kind regards
Christine

[DVDdoug]

I have a Neostar USB turntable music combo and using Audacity 1.2 earlier this year recorded vinyl and then cassettes.

So, that's a combo turntable & Cassette player with a USB connection? Do you have a link to the description or specs? Or maybe the model number?

If the cassette player is working and the turntable isn't, I'd say there's something wrong with the Neostar unit, or it's set up wrong. Does it have a headphone or other analog output that you can test?

When I say will not record I mean there is a flat blue line even though the input meter fluctuates.

That, I can't understand... You're getting a signal into Audacity with both the turntable and cassette (because the meters move), but you can record the cassette, but not the turntable???

Have you repeated that experiment? Maybe start recording a cassette, then don't touch the computer and switch to an LP? And re-confirm that the LP makes the meters move, but you're getting silence after you switch to the turntable.

Is it possible to help? I may have simply forgotten to do something obvious with the turntable or jacks????

I don't know anything about your device, but with a USB turntable or a USB cassette deck, all you need is a USB connection.

As a possible work-around, do you have a desktop/tower computer with a regular soundcard?

using Audacity 1.2

The current version is 2.1.2. And, it's FREE!

[ChrissieP]

Hi,
Thanks for responding to this. To answer your questions;
The unit is Neostar NMC1V silver but I haven't been able to find it on the Neostar website even though I only bought it 2 years ago (via eBay).
Yes it's strange that the cassette records successfully but the vinyl doesn't. I wondered if I had to update a setting on the unit to change from recording cassettes to vinyl but there's no obvious button or instruction in the booklet.
I repeated the experiment several times switching on and off and between the cassette, CD and the turntable and the input meter was on all the time . I will try and repeat again tomorrow - the unit is not at my home.
I did think I only needed the USB connection but thought it best to check.
I have upgraded to 2.1.2 - purely to recheck and access this forum. In my message I've just tried to explain that I have had it working ok on the old version and the problem is new and not because I've never been able to record vinyl.
My desktop does have a sound card - how would that be a workaround?

[cyrano]

FWIW:

The last one sold on ebay recently has this as mention:

“X-Bankrupt Stock. New, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item is missing its original box and other packaging,Tested and in working order.”

There is a current Neostar site, but that mostly offers mixers, ovens and other kitchen gear...

[Gale Andrews]

My desktop does have a sound card - how would that be a workaround?

Connect the headphones output of the device (if it has such) to the blue Line In input of the computer (the mic port is unlikely to be suitable). Turn the recording volume right down if your computer only has a mic port and you still want to try.


Gale

[DVDdoug]

I will try and repeat again tomorrow - the unit is not at my home.

If there is a headphone or other analog output, it would be helpful to know if there is any "sound" at all from the turntable.

Neostar NMC1V silver

The limited information I found says it has a built-in CD burner. That might be another work-around. After making a CD, you can optionally "rip" the CD to audio files and optionally edit the files in Audacity, etc.

Connect the headphones output of the device (if it has such) to the blue Line In input of the computer...

Or if it has RCA line outputs, connect that to line-in on your soundcard. You'll need an adapter cable for that.

And of course, select your soundcard line inputs as your recording device in Audacity instead of the external USB device.



... If you conclude that the turntable is broken, check out Knowzy.com for lots of USB turntable reviews & recommendations.

[Gale Andrews]

Connect the headphones output of the device (if it has such) to the blue Line In input of the computer...

Or if it has RCA line outputs, connect that to line-in on your soundcard. You'll need an adapter cable for that.

And if you do that, there may be a switch on the device to change the output between "line" and "phono". You want "line" so the signals are loud enough, but you may then have to apply the RIAA curve in Audacity's Equalization effect so that it does not sound "tinny".


Gale

[ChrissieP]

Today I've linked up the external speakers that came with the unit and was able to play and hear the LP.
I've now opened audacity and it is recording. Not sure what the difference is between yesterday and today but at least I can now record and so thank you for all your advice.
PROBLEM SOLVED

[Gale Andrews]

Today I've linked up the external speakers that came with the unit and was able to play and hear the LP.
I've now opened audacity and it is recording. Not sure what the difference is between yesterday and today but at least I can now record and so thank you for all your advice.
PROBLEM SOLVED

I'm glad it was fixed. The difference is that you are using an analogue output of the system. The hardware for the digital output (USB cable) that should switch between cassettes and LPs may just be broken.


Gale