Aha!

[pyat]

I've just realized I can record all my LPs and tapes to MP3 format if I get an adaptor and plug it into the microphone jack. I can even do it on the Portable Mousehold, so I don't have to move the record player upstairs.

*is genius!*

Soon, I'll be able to listen to Golden Avatar while driving! Hmm. All those years wasted, drooling over USB turntables...

EDIT: Wait - would it need to be plugged into the line-in port on the sound card? Cause the Aspire One doesn't have a line-in, just the mic jack. The Fortress Computer in the basement may need to serve instead - it'll just need a longer cable.

Comments

[dronon.livejournal.com]

A line-in port is preferable, yes. The microphone jack might work, but you'd have to be very, very careful with the volume and recording level controls to avoid distortion. My computer's got an odd soundcard in which line-in and microphone use the same plug, and the computer guesses which one it's supposed to be. (Making me go into volume control to purposefully mute one of them so it gets it right.)

There's also software around for removing vinyl clicks and pops, although sometimes there's a problem distinguishing particularly sharp percussion, or applause.

[pyat.livejournal.com]

*nods* I've been looking at some software for it, yup!

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

With a tape deck, you can generally just plug the line out into the line in on the computer.

Since turntables just connect the cartridge directly to the output cables, you need a preamp. Most receivers with a "phono" input have a built in preamp; you plug the turntable into the receiver and the line out (or tape out) on the receiver into the computer. Some (rare) turntables have built in preamps and can be connected to a line in directly.

So either way you need a line in. Mic inputs are mono only, and only work for mics.

[dronon.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the stereo/mono side of things. As for a pre-amp, it depends on the record player. Some are made to hook up to speakers directly, others to go through a stereo or tape deck to amplify the sound, and some can do both. Only way to know will be to test plugging the record player into something and seeing if the signal's strong enough.

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

There were some cheap "high output" cartridges that let you plug a turntable directly into a line-in. However, they were generally junk sound quality wise.

Preamps don't just amplify, they provide the "RIAA equalization curve" to the audio. Without that curve, everything sounds tinny and crappy.

It's really quite interesting; here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization) is a Wikipedia article about it. This is from back when the RIAA wasn't evil yet, and they actually served as a useful standards body so that all the record companies could create records that sound good on all turntables. :)

[pyat.livejournal.com]

The Aspire One allegedly has a stereo mic, but I think I'll play it safe and use the Fortress Computer. It's cranky and old, and I'd have to transfer the MP3s off via a USB 1.1 line, but the hard drive is nearly empty and the sound card works.

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

>Cause the Aspire One doesn't have a line-in, just the mic jack.

I find this amusing because my Macbook Pro has the opposite problem; only a line-in and no mic jack. So the only microphones you can use with it are USB mics (and headsets).

Though I prefer it that way; a USB headset is an alternate audio device so Skype can talk to it directly instead of overriding system audio. Whee!

[pyat.livejournal.com]

Is it possible that the mic jack is also the line in, since it's a netbook?

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

It might be dual purpose, sensing the application by checking the impedance of the connected device.

Try sending it a line level signal and see what happens? The audio line out on a TV or DVD player will do in a pinch...

[pyat.livejournal.com]

I'm going to try it tonight, yup! Thanks, Zorin.

[momentrabbit.livejournal.com]

Sure, give it a try. Nothing to lose.

The situation is this: most turntables put out a sub-line signal, requiring a pre-amp before the 'line in' jack on an amplifier. Most mic jacks 'expect' a sub-line signal - that's why you often find the '20 db boost' option in the advanced properties for mic jacks, to goose the signal up further. So, you *might* get away with plugging a turntable's unamplified signal through a dual phono F to 1/8" stereo M jack adapter.

Or, y'know.. go crazy. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882698003) n.n

[pyat.livejournal.com]

I think I'll give it a shot on the Aspire One, since it allegedly has a stero mic. It's also possible the mic doubles as the line in, isn't it? Since it's small and stuff?

[archai.livejournal.com]

There is one other thing to consider, which is this. Most mic jacks also expect an electret mic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electret_microphone) and apply a biasing voltage for the transistor they expect to see downline. Most, if not all, audio gear should be AC coupled and not be bothered by a DC offset from the far end of the cord, though.

Beyond that, and the preamp you mention, I *think* there is functionally very little difference between mic and line in jacks.

Oh, and Pyat, it's not like you can blow anything up, here. As I understand it, the WORST that could happen is you saturate whatever transistor is listening for the signal from the record player, and that just makes the recording clip.

[pyat.livejournal.com]

Also, I do have a nice 70s amp in the basement, with lots of flickering needle gauges and stuff!

[momentrabbit.livejournal.com]

Oooooooh. n.n

[madmanofprague.livejournal.com]

We converted a bunch of obscure LPs and singles that way a few years ago–before every band throughout Time had a Myspace page...