Analog Audio to Digital

[Mickey Richaud]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] Originally Posted By: Mickey Richaud
I've been thinking about an analog to digital converter to burn some LP's, cassettes, and reel-to-reel stuff. Anyone have any luck with these? Suggestions?

Mickey

Hey Mickey,
The toughest thing would be the LP's. If you have a stereo with phono inputs, I'd just run the preamp outs to your computer. Depending on your soundcard, that should be all you need.

Greg W. [/QUOTE]

OK, this is from another thread that I didn't want to hijack. I don't have RCA jacks on the computer, so what do I need to download analog stuff from LP's, reel to reel, and cassette, in order to create CD's/MP3's?

Mickey

 

[aerog]

Use the line-in jack. It should be a 1/8" stereo plug just like any modern small stereo headphone set uses. You can get an adapter that splits the two channels off the 1/8" plug to two RCA jacks. Some machines/soundcards only have two jacks though. One for output, one for input. The input-side can be switched from a mic-input to a line-in input through the drivers/software.

I, and at least one other person I know, have had some pretty horrendous ground-loop problems running audio straight to the computer that way though. I don't know if it's a common problem or a fluke. A ground-loop problem will manifest itself as a low-frequency hum in your recordings (on the computer-side).

Ground-loop problems like that need to have the audio source isolated electrically from the PC. The cheapest and quickest way to do that is to get an isolation transformer. Radio Shack used to sell cheap ones that worked ok - they look like a 35mm film can with two cables coming out each side. You just plug your cables into it, then plug it into your computer.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Thanks, Scott!

I thought there had to be some sort of adapter inline to convert analog to digital. Would've done this long ago had I known!

That hum sounds like 60-cycle (-hertz now?) hum that you get when the magnetic phono cartridge isn't grounded to the amp/receiver.

Mickey

 

[DrEntropy]

yup, and the transformer is acting as an RF choke, methinks.

 

[GregW]

If you have a tape loop on your receiver, that would be a good place to tap into the signal. Use the record outputs (see photo) and use the cord Scott mentioned to go into your computer. If your computer's audio is integrated on the motherboard, do a test recording and listen to it with a good pair of headphones. When the DACs are on the motherboard, you can pick up noise in the recording. An audio card in a PCI slot gets the DACs far enough away so that won't be a problem.

 

[PC]

…. I don't have RCA jacks on the computer, …

Do you have any stereo analog inputs? Stereo mini-jack? Microphones?

Like Scott said, as long as you have some kind of stereo analog input you can probably rig up a simple adapter.

…I thought there had to be some sort of adapter inline to convert analog to digital. …

If you don’t have a sound card with at least some sort of analog input then yes, you do need an analog to digital converter.

Here are some examples of USB A/D and D/A converters:

Edirol
Ikey
Behringer

…That hum sounds like 60-cycle (-hertz now?) hum that you get when the magnetic phono cartridge isn't grounded to the amp/receiver.…

yes.

…the transformer is acting as an RF choke, methinks.

no.

A choke filters out high frequencies. You can't filter out these frequencies because they're in the audible range and you'd and you'd also be filtering sound you want.

A ground loop isolation transformer prevents currents from flowing between the grounds of the two machines.

The grounds are supposed to be at the same potential, with no DC or AC voltage between them. But in the real world small voltage differences do occur and currents, called ground loops, can circulate between the grounds.

Pretty much any audio gear with RCA plugs tends to be susceptible to ground loop noise. (No, the RCA plugs don’t cause that, single-ended electronic design does. RCA’s are just a dead giveaway for that sort of electronics.)

Here are a few ground loop isolators:

cheap:
Royal Shaft
Raptor
Scosche

first class:
Jensen from Old Colony Sound
Jensen factory site


pc.

 

[DrEntropy]

Ah. Enlightenment. :laugh:

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Ah. Enlightenment. :laugh:

Only for the enlightened...

And to think: I used to run a Radio Shack store back in the day...

 

[aerog]

Ah. Enlightenment. :laugh:

Only for the enlightened...

And to think: I used to run a Radio Shack store back in the day...

That's ok Mickey. I bought a 16oz bottle of Ferric Oxide from my local RS a couple of months ago. I asked the guy where they kept it and I got a blank stare - then I saw a few bottles in the corner. When he rang it up he still had a puzzled look on his face, but he finally said "what is this stuff?". I said, "it's for making pc-boards". Again, I got a blank stare, so I said "you know, printed circuit boards?". The stare didn't change, I said "the flat circuit things they solder parts to that you find inside computers and electronics?"

The Radio Shack guy looked at me, shook his head, and said "you got me, never heard of that stuff - it's way over my head".

You've got questions? They've got more questions.

(glad they're still around so I can go in and buy out their molex connector collection from time to time though )

 

[DNK]

And to think: I used to run a Radio Shack store back in the day...

That explains how you got into your present job

 

[Mickey Richaud]

And to think: I used to run a Radio Shack store back in the day...

That explains how you got into your present job

Thanks...

...I think...

 

[GregW]

A lot of the crap that Radio shack sells needs a prayer if it is gonna work. :madder:

 

[DrEntropy]

:lol:

Now it's cell 'phones an' digital converter boxes, mostly. I was amazed at the LACK of component level inventory in th' local one a week or so ago. Hadn't been in one in a couple years.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Yeah, it's really sad the direction they took. "Back in the day", what we sold was really pretty good. Audio equipment was looked down upon, but I still have a couple of STA-120 receivers and a couple of SA-2000 amps, Optimus T-100 speakers, Realistic/Miracord turntable, etc. They've seen LOTS of use, and still sound fantastic!

 

[Brooklands]

I miss the old Radio Shacks and the Lafayette Electronic stores.