How to Convert LPS Into WAV & MP3

Change old analog LP's to digital files.

Before personal MP3 players, CD's and cassettes existed, there were records. If one wanted control over listening to specific music they would use a turntable. "LP" stands for "long playing" as multiple songs were embedded onto each side of the record. With the advancement of digital technology leading to higher quality audio, CD's replaced LP's. Today, music is also stored on digital audio files such as WAV and MP3. Converting LP's to digital files eliminates the need to duplicate music.

Things You'll Need

• Turntable
• 2 pairs RCA cables
• 1 stereo mini plug cable
• 1 RCA to Stereo mini plug adaptor
• Phono preamp or Receiver
• PC line input or USB interface
• Recording software

Instructions

1. 

   Boost the record players signal with a preamp.

   Connect the turntable to preamp. Plug the left and right RCA cables from the turntable into the left and right phono inputs of the preamp. Connect the grounding wire from the turntable to the grounding screw on the preamp. The grounding screw is usually next to the phono inputs. The preamp boosts the turntables signal to match the computers inputs specifications.

2. 

   Send the boosted signal to the pc line input.

   Connect the preamp to the computer. Plug two RCA cables into the left and right phono output jacks of the preamp. Plug the remaining two ends into the RCA to stereo mini plug adaptor. Plug one end of the stereo mini plug cable into the adaptor. Plug the other end of the stereo mini plug cable into the "line" input of the computer. This input jack is blue.

3. 

   Record the LP with an audio software program.

   Activate the recording program. Be sure it can record as a WAV file. Open the audio software and set it to capture audio. See the operating instructions as software control functions vary with different products. Power on all parts of the equipment chain. Begin recording and play the LP. One software program which is free is "wix.com".

4. 

   LIsten to your converted LP's on your MP3 player

   Convert the WAV file to MP3 using a WAV to MP3 encoder. Open the converter software program. Choose "source" and click on your WAV file. Click "destination" and choose where you want the file saved once encoded. Click "encode" to convert your WAV to MP3. A free program which does this is Realplayer.

Tips & Warnings

• If the PC has no "line" input, A USB phono preamp is needed.

• Many audio software packages have tools to take out crackles and other noises.

• You may have to stop the recording after each song to create separate files.

• A search for "wave to mp3" will bring up encoders which can be downloaded.

• An MP3 is compressed and is good for emailing and transferring audio files to personal MP3 audio devices.

References

• PCWorld: Rip Your Records
• USB Turntables
• Soundabout: Phono Preamp using USB

Resources

• Macworld.com: Digitize your LPs