Audio noise when trying to record a vinyl record to Audacity

[blad]

A wise response. Thank you! ...and yes the NAD preamp is far superior to the AT 120. Down the pike I may tinker with the "preamp" options but, since I have cleaned up the noise I will proceed as you recommended.
Thanks! I could not have resolved this without your help!

[blad]

We SOLVED this using the A method. I would like to explore the possibility of the B method. I am using a NAD 1155 preamp and running 2 NAD 2155 amps utilizing them as mono R&L.

If we were to run the turntable through NAD 1155 preamp, In your opinion, what would any advantage be and how would this be accomplished if I chose B method?

I don't know why you would want to use a standalone preamp unless you regard the preamp in the turntable as inferior to the NAD. That may be a reasonable assumption but everyone hears and responds to sound differently. Ultimately only you can make that decision, in a comparison of methods A and B with the same material.

With B you set the turntable to Phono, as I said. The Audacity settings will be the same as with A.

Setting the Phono switch on the turntable should completely bypass the turntable's phono preamp. So I would not recommend potentially damaging the turntable by taking it apart and removing its phono preamp.


Gale

Hello Gale, This may be somewhat premature but, I got a new Mac Pro that does not have mini jack in. If I'm forced back to the USB (which is now 3.0 but back served as 2.0 because the turntable is 2.0) Does anyone know the best approach to hooking this up to the newer MAC PRO.

[waxcylinder]

Hello Gale ...

I'm sad to have to let you know, but since you last communicated with him Gale has died back in August

WC

[blad]

Hello Gale ...

I'm sad to have to let you know, but since you last communicated with him Gale has died back in August

WC

I'm so sorry for our loss. I found Gale to be cordial and to the point. I only knew Gale in this forum context but extend my deepest sympathies to all family and friends.

[billw58]

This may be somewhat premature but, I got a new Mac Pro that does not have mini jack in. If I'm forced back to the USB (which is now 3.0 but back served as 2.0 because the turntable is 2.0) Does anyone know the best approach to hooking this up to the newer MAC PRO.

After reading through this thread, this is what I have gleaned:
1) Using the USB out from the turntable results in inferior sound
2) Using the analog output from the turntable, set to "Line" and going into the (previous) Mac's Line In worked well
3) Using the analog output from the turntable, set to "Phono" and going through a NAD pre-amp and then into the (previous) Mac's Line In also worked well, and was better than #2.

Given that your new Mac Pro does not have a line input, you will need to use an external USB adapter.

Several of us here use the Behringer UCA-222 (for line level signals) or the UFO-202 (switchable line/phono).
Personally, I would not bother with a higher end interface. The frequency response of these inexpensive interfaces is more than adequate, as is the inherent noise level (which will be much lower than the vinyl surface noise).

If my assumptions are correct, I'd say you'd want to use the turntable in phono mode, through the NAD pre-amp, then into an audio/USB interface into the Mac Pro.

-- Bill

[blad]

This may be somewhat premature but, I got a new Mac Pro that does not have mini jack in. If I'm forced back to the USB (which is now 3.0 but back served as 2.0 because the turntable is 2.0) Does anyone know the best approach to hooking this up to the newer MAC PRO.

After reading through this thread, this is what I have gleaned:
1) Using the USB out from the turntable results in inferior sound
2) Using the analog output from the turntable, set to "Line" and going into the (previous) Mac's Line In worked well
3) Using the analog output from the turntable, set to "Phono" and going through a NAD pre-amp and then into the (previous) Mac's Line In also worked well, and was better than #2.

Given that your new Mac Pro does not have a line input, you will need to use an external USB adapter.

Several of us here use the Behringer UCA-222 (for line level signals) or the UFO-202 (switchable line/phono).
Personally, I would not bother with a higher end interface. The frequency response of these inexpensive interfaces is more than adequate, as is the inherent noise level (which will be much lower than the vinyl surface noise).

If my assumptions are correct, I'd say you'd want to use the turntable in phono mode, through the NAD pre-amp, then into an audio/USB interface into the Mac Pro.

-- Bill

Thanks for the advice. One question: The at- lp 120usb has a built in pre-amp. Using your recommendation would it be advisable to remove the pre-amp from the turntable?

[billw58]

Thanks for the advice. One question: The at- lp 120usb has a built in pre-amp. Using your recommendation would it be advisable to remove the pre-amp from the turntable?

No. As stated before, it appears that when the turntable is in "phono" mode, the internal pre-amp is not used. Therefore it should have no affect on the sound quality.
-- Bill

[blad]

This may be somewhat premature but, I got a new Mac Pro that does not have mini jack in. If I'm forced back to the USB (which is now 3.0 but back served as 2.0 because the turntable is 2.0) Does anyone know the best approach to hooking this up to the newer MAC PRO.

After reading through this thread, this is what I have gleaned:
1) Using the USB out from the turntable results in inferior sound
2) Using the analog output from the turntable, set to "Line" and going into the (previous) Mac's Line In worked well
3) Using the analog output from the turntable, set to "Phono" and going through a NAD pre-amp and then into the (previous) Mac's Line In also worked well, and was better than #2.

Given that your new Mac Pro does not have a line input, you will need to use an external USB adapter.

Several of us here use the Behringer UCA-222 (for line level signals) or the UFO-202 (switchable line/phono).
Personally, I would not bother with a higher end interface. The frequency response of these inexpensive interfaces is more than adequate, as is the inherent noise level (which will be much lower than the vinyl surface noise).

If my assumptions are correct, I'd say you'd want to use the turntable in phono mode, through the NAD pre-amp, then into an audio/USB interface into the Mac Pro.

-- Bill

Would I use tape out (rec) to the external USB adapter. I am using 2-NAD 2155 mono R/L. My pre-amp NAD 1155 is connected to the amps with the low output. This pre-amp has two outputs High/Low. Could I connect the USB adapter to the high output? I'm using the Behringer UCA-222 adapter.

[billw58]

Would I use tape out (rec) to the external USB adapter. I am using 2-NAD 2155 mono R/L. My pre-amp NAD 1155 is connected to the amps with the low output. This pre-amp has two outputs High/Low. Could I connect the USB adapter to the high output? I'm using the Behringer UCA-222 adapter.

I have no idea, given that I have no information on the output levels of the 1155. Try different connections and use whatever gives the best levels without overloading the Behringer.

It seems from your description that the low/high outputs are meant to connect to a power amplifier and thus are controlled by the volume control. That's probably not what you want, since adjusting the volume of the speakers would affect the volume of the recording. Tape out (rec) outputs are usually at a fixed level. If you can connect to tape out and get a good recording, use that.

-- Bill

[blad]

Would I use tape out (rec) to the external USB adapter. I am using 2-NAD 2155 mono R/L. My pre-amp NAD 1155 is connected to the amps with the low output. This pre-amp has two outputs High/Low. Could I connect the USB adapter to the high output? I'm using the Behringer UCA-222 adapter.

I have no idea, given that I have no information on the output levels of the 1155. Try different connections and use whatever gives the best levels without overloading the Behringer.

It seems from your description that the low/high outputs are meant to connect to a power amplifier and thus are controlled by the volume control. That's probably not what you want, since adjusting the volume of the speakers would affect the volume of the recording. Tape out (rec) outputs are usually at a fixed level. If you can connect to tape out and get a good recording, use that.

-- Bill

Thanks Bill I've included the specs for the NAD 1155 pre-amp. If you can make a conclusion from these regarding what output would be the best for Audacity please advise.

NAD 1155 preamp

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