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

[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.