How to Transfer LP Records
Even in the digital age, the vinyl record endures. Briefly out of fashion during the late '80s CD revolution, vinyl LPs made a comeback in the '90s, first with DJs and then with the public at large. But in the interest of preserving precious vinyl records and making the music portable in the age of the iPod, transferring vinyl to digital is a useful thing to know how to do.
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Things You'll Need
- Vinyl records
- Turntable
- Stereo receiver
- Computer
- RCA to quarter-inch cable
- Software
Instructions
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How to Transfer LP Records
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1
In order to transfer your vinyl records to digital you will need the right software. Several programs are available on the market. Rip Vinyl, Spin It Again, Nero and Sound Studio are all programs that will work. Some are more expensive than others and some are very cheap. They are all basically effective, but it's a good idea to spend a little bit more to ensure reliability. Depending on whether you are using a MAC or a PC, double-check to make sure whatever software you choose will be compatible with your computer.
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Once you have loaded the software onto your computer, you will need to set up the hardware. You will need to link your stereo receiver's output to your computers audio input. To do this you will need a cable, most often an RCA to quarter-inch will do. The RCA end will attach to your stereo's output and the quarter-inch will go into your computers input. (The interface style is named after RCA, but other manufacturers also offer it.)
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3
Once you have the hardware attached and the software up and running you should be ready to begin. Consult the manual and go through any tutorials that accompany your software. You will basically be recording an audio performance onto your hard drive. That performance will consist of the two sides of the record playing. When the software is up and ready to record, cue up the record of your choice.
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Start the software recording before you let the record play. Give it a second of two of lead in time and then let the record spin. The audio from your turntable should travel from your stereo receiver into your computers audio input, where it will be picked up and recorded by the software. Most programs for recording vinyl will have a sound wave window that allows you to watch this process.
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5
Once you have recorded both sides of the record you can stop the software. You will then have to separate the audio tracks and create separate sound files. This can be done by listening to the playback and inserting markers at the breaks into between songs. Your software should have a command for separating at the markers. After you have separated the record into different tracks drag and drop the tracks into your iTunes. This will automatically convert the tracks into usable song files that can be loaded onto an iPod or burned onto a CD.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the pause feature on your software when it comes time to flip the record to the other side.
Once you have dragged and dropped the sound files into iTunes, enter the track information, such as song title, artist and album name. Otherwise you will wind up with songs that are generically listed by track number on your iTunes.
