How to Convert LP to CD Player

Make CDs from vinyl LPs.

Many listeners have old, vinyl LP records or special pressings offered in recent years. Converting LPs (analog sound) to CD players (digital sound) provides backup in case of damage to the vinyl records. While some stores try to lure buyers with "all-in-one" LP to CD player converters, the process is straightforward and does not require combined turntable-and-CD-recorder hardware.

Things You'll Need

• Turntable
• Stylus and cartridge in good condition
• Stereo RCA plug to 3mm pin plug patch cord
• Analog to digital conversion software
• iTunes or Windows Media Player (optional)

Instructions

Preparation

1. 

   Use an anti-static dust cloth to remove dirt and debris from the grooves.

   Clean the vinyl record using an antistatic dust cloth. If the LP is very dirty, run it under a small amount of filtered or distilled water and use a lint-free cloth to dry the disk. Use the dust cloth to remove remaining debris. Using a soft brush dipped in rubbing alcohol, clean the stylus and cartridge on the tonearm.

2. 

   Connect the white or black RCA plug to the "Left" output and the red plug to the right output

   Connect the stereo RCA plugs to the home theater or stereo receiver and the 3mm pin plug to the computer's "Line In" socket.

3. 

   Turntables are making a comeback.

   Open the analog to digital conversion software to the "audio level" screen. This window varies by software publisher. Golden Records software locates the levels on the first screen of its wizard. In Nero SoundTrax, a pop-up window opens (see Resources for links to Golden Records and Nero). Play a loud cut from the LP and adjust the sound so the levels remain in the green or yellow range.

4. 

   The stack of old vinyl records is about ready to be converted to CD.

   Place the stylus near the end of one cut and measure the "silence" between cuts. The software will automatically establish a "floor" volume level to identify the end of one song and beginning of the next. This feature is part of the Wizard in Golden Records software, and a tool in Nero.

5. 

   Select a file name convention. The software will give an option that may appear as "Cut %autonumber%" or a similar combination with an %autonumberhe file name. This will be saved as "Cut 01.mp3," or whichever format is selected. "Cut" can be replaced with a name to differentiate one album from others. Each subsequent cut will have an increasing number (02, 03 and so on).

Analog to Digital Conversion

1. 

   Place the stylus on the LP where recording should begin and start the recording software. Let the full side of songs record, including any undesired cuts. It's easier to delete unwanted cuts during the final editing process than to jump from song-to-song.

2. 

   Pause the software when the side completes. Flip the record over and restart the LP and software. When side two is completed, stop the software. If the next record is by the same artist, only the album title needs to be modified when setting levels and file names.

3. 

   Rename the files after all songs have recorded by adding the song title between the album title and cut number. Placing the cut number at the front of the file name allows digital media players to recognize the LP's original organization.

4. 

   Transfer the songs to a blank CD using either the analog recording software or the software used to burn audio CDs. This step converts the WMA, MP3 or MP4 formats to the universal CDA format.

1. 

Tips & Warnings

• Spot recording quality issues by listening to the songs before transferring to CD. Some cuts may need to be re-recorded.

• Keeping a uniform file name convention helps playback software display the correct song, album and artist name.

• Learning the editing feature allows for more precise starts and stops, as the silence between songs can be edited or filtered to cover the LP's pops and scratches.

• Sometimes the software will treat a low volume passage as a split, and songs may need to be joined.

• The Golden Records software license has an expiration date. It cannot be reloaded or upgraded after the expiration date.

• Nero has the most sophisticated editing tools, but also has a longer learning curve.

• Buying a turntable gives you more versatility and higher sound quality than buying the hardware/software/CD player combination.

• While an occasional peak into the red range will not affect sound quality, levels consistently in the this range will distort sound quality

References

• CNET LP to CD conversion forum
• Nero Multimedia
• PC World: Rip your Records

Resources

• NCH Golden Records
• Nero Sound Trax