Can I Record From a Turntable to a Mac?

Music may be copied from a record to a Mac so long as it is not distributed.

It is possible and legal to record music from a turntable to your Mac, so long as you do so for personal use and not for distribution purposes. The process involves hardware and software for the two devices.

Equipment

Use the same type of cable you use to listen to your turntable through headphones; it must have one end that connects to the headphone jack on your turntable and one that connects to the audio input jack on your Mac. You must also download a digital audio editor like Audacity and the LAME codec. Export the sound files to iTunes to convert them to MP3s.

Sound Editing

Minimize problems like clipping or crackling through Audacity or another sound editing program. Set the program to record from a built in input (the headphone jack) and record your music. Remove parts of the sound wave that cause clipping. Sound levels are also adjustable, allowing you to make the best possible recording.

Legality

Copying music from a record to a computer for personal use is legal, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It is not legal to distribute the music online or on CDs, whether for commercial use, on peer-to-peer websites or for friends. This activity constitutes infringement of copyright law.

References

• Mac Instruct: How to Transfer LP Records to Your Mac
• Recording Industry Association of America: Piracy Online and on the Street
• Crutchfield: Home A/V Connections Glossary