USB vs Traditional Turntables

[KPJ]

Hello All,

I am looking at getting back into vinyl and was thinking of buying a turntable. I want to be able to convert my analog signal (from the record) to a digital format (mp3). From what I understand, I have 2 options; a turntable with a USB connection or a analog turntable with a preamp. I understand the traditional analog turnables generally have better quality than the USB turn tables.

I was wondering if any of you had any experience with recently purchacing a turntable; and if you went with the turntable with a USB or a traditional turntable (with a preamp to convert to a digital signal). I was looking to spend ~$200, so I don't want to go too high-end.

Thanks

[Traditional_Ale]

Get two ANALOG Technics 1200 Turntables
Get a quality ANALOG DJ-Mixer
Get a laptop.

Then get SERATO, by RANE, and your life is complete. As much as one a DJ has, anyway.

www.scratchlive.net

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I don't get it?
Why would you want to buy records just so you can convert them to a digital format?
That seems to me like you'd be getting the worst of both worlds.
Of course if you're just trying to covert already existing vinyl to digital it makes sense, but to intentionally buy vinyl so you can burn it to your iPod doesn't seem to make any sense (music quality wise I mean).

[Kipper is King]

Costco has a reasonably priced (sub $100 I think) USB turntable. I don't see how it would be all that much lover in terms of sound quality. Once you convert that analog source to digital, won't you just lose the "warmth" of the analog audio anyways?

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I don't get it?
Why would you want to buy records just so you can convert them to a digital format?
That seems to me like you'd be getting the worst of both worlds.
Of course if you're just trying to covert already existing vinyl to digital it makes sense, but to intentionally buy vinyl so you can burn it to your iPod doesn't seem to make any sense (music quality wise I mean).

WTF? It makes loads of sense.

A professinonal calibre turntable like the Technics 1200 with a quality gold stylus like an Ortofone through a quality DJ mixer and then into a computer through a quality A/D interface would allow the OP to capture, say, Rave music to his computer from the vinyl at much higher quality (ie, 24-bit, 96kHz) than a CD (16-bit, 44.1Khz) or MP3 (...dogs**t...).

This means he has a bunch of seriously kick-ass sounding music files he can then DJ with. His set will sound louder, bassier, and cleaner than all the other DJs (unless someone is spinning old-school, right off the vinyl).

So, I say the OP should capture his records at an insanely high quality, then use Serato to spin them with the integrity as the full-analog setup.

[kevman]

..Except the OP didn't mention anything about DJing and he has a budget of sub <$200.

$200 isn't going to buy one piece of that set up let alone the whole thing.

Get the USB turntable and be done with it.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by kevman

..Except the OP didn't mention anything about DJing and he has a budget of sub <$200.

$200 isn't going to buy one piece of that set up let alone the whole thing.

Get the USB turntable and be done with it.

Word. I just hate USB turntables, microphones, pre-amps (even though I have the M-Box...ugh...)...anything related to audio.

So yeah, sorry to get excited there. If all you want to do is capture music to your computer then USB is fine. Just get a good stylus (spend at least 150-200).

[KPJ]

Thanks for the insights.

I do want to listen to vinyl in my house (that is my preference), but I still like the mobility of my ipod (at the sacrifice of sound quality).

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by KPJ

Thanks for the insights.

I do want to listen to vinyl in my house (that is my preference), but I still like the mobility of my ipod (at the sacrifice of sound quality).

Capture your vinyl at 24-bit (*.wav), and then dither down to decent MP3 quality right from there. Don't go from 24-bit *.wav to 16-bit *.wav and then to MP3.

[KPJ]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Capture your vinyl at 24-bit (*.wav), and then dither down to decent MP3 quality right from there. Don't go from 24-bit *.wav to 16-bit *.wav and then to MP3.

Thanks. What software do you recommend for the recording?

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

WTF? It makes loads of sense.

A professinonal calibre turntable like the Technics 1200 with a quality gold stylus like an Ortofone through a quality DJ mixer and then into a computer through a quality A/D interface would allow the OP to capture, say, Rave music to his computer from the vinyl at much higher quality (ie, 24-bit, 96kHz) than a CD (16-bit, 44.1Khz) or MP3 (...dogs**t...).

This means he has a bunch of seriously kick-ass sounding music files he can then DJ with. His set will sound louder, bassier, and cleaner than all the other DJs (unless someone is spinning old-school, right off the vinyl).

So, I say the OP should capture his records at an insanely high quality, then use Serato to spin them with the integrity as the full-analog setup.

Exactly. I've been in the process of digitizing my vinyl, and it's surprising how much of that vinyl sound quality you can capture digitally. Far superior to CDs or online downloads. My problem is that I've got about 1500 pieces of vinyl to digitize, so it's going to be a hellishly time consuming project. But if you're going to put the time and effort into it, might as well do it right.