stupid q's for recording records to MP3

Posted by: Two-Sheds on 13 November 2004

so I've been here for a while and I haven't asked (I don't think) any really stupid/simple questions so here goes.

I want to record some of my records on my pc to use on my iPod. The first problem is connecting the pc my pre amp (NAC202). the input on my pc is a 3.5mm stereo jack and I have a cable from 3.5mm jack to 2 phono plugs, but I assume I then need an adapter to plug it into the tape input on the NAC202 or is there any way I can configure the aux1 or 2 phono sockets to be outputs?

Once I get it all hooked up is the output to the tape always on? and what is all this tape monitor circuit buisness? do you have to use it whilst recording? does it improve sound quality of the recording?

finally anyone know any good (free if possible) software for encoding sound input to mp3 and does it allow you to before/after/both split up the recording into tracks?

Posted on: 13 November 2004 by Bob McC

You need a 5 pin din to 4 phono lead. Connect the tape out phonos to your PC sound card. As for software for your Mac can't help I'm afraid.

Bob

Posted on: 13 November 2004 by Two-Sheds

cheers for the lead info Bob, even though it is a iPod I'm still using a PC running XP Home. I'll hace to have a look around for that lead this afternoon.

Posted on: 13 November 2004 by JamH

Have a look at .....

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

which is a free audio editor [it can split tracks]. Also can get free plugs-in for making MP3's

Posted on: 13 November 2004 by JamH

Neraly forgot ....

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

for CD ripping software [free] ....

Posted on: 14 November 2004 by Two-Sheds

thanks again to Bob, I found a 5 pin din to 4 phono lead and after a bit of playing about found the correct two output phono leads which weren't the ones I was expecting (white is right and yellow is left and red and black are input) and the sound is going through to my pc fine.

Thanks to James I found audacity and after a bit of playing I got it to work and am now recording my second record. I think this is going to take some time...

Posted on: 14 November 2004 by JamH

Hello Two-Sheds ....

Have a look at ...

http://www.delback.co.uk/lp-cdr.htm

One of the best bits of advice is keep the volume low when playing the record deck to prevent feed back ....

James H.

Posted on: 14 November 2004 by Two-Sheds

cheers for the link. There looks like there is loads of useful info on there. It is taking me longer than I thought to do this, obviously takes me the length of time of the record to record it all onto the HD, but it then takes me about 50% of that time to turn it into multiple (one per track) mp3 files.

I'm also getting a bit of a hum when I connect everything up and the linked article above suggests this could be the pc and pre amp on a slightly different ground. Since they are connected to different wall sockets this is possible. I may try getting an mains extension cable and plug my pc into the same socket as the pre-amp as the article above suggests.

I think I'm also going to listen to the three albums I've done so far a few times and see what the quality is like before spending any time doing any more.