Vinyl ripping
Want to digitize your vinyl collection?
Today there are a couple of options:
Standalone systems
They record albums directly to CD (or iPod or flash memory, depending on the system). This is the easiest way to digitize your LP's and 45's. It's also the crudest.
Digital turntables
They have an AD converter on board. Output is mostly USB but some offer SPDIF.
You need recording software on the PC.
Analogue Turntables
These are the traditional ones.
You need a phono stage to bring the signal to line level, an AD converter and recording software. This setup allows you to choose each individual component.
An extensive overview can be found at Knowzy
Instead of a phono stage you can use a linear amp like a microphone amp and apply the needed RIAA correction using software.
Software like Pure Vinyl allows you to work this way.
Ripping
A lot of debates about bit depth and sample rate can be found on many audio forums.
According to Shannon-Nyquist your sample rate should be the double of the highest frequency.
Vinyl can contain signals up to 25 kHz (but higher values are reported) so 44.1 kHz (Nyquist=22) is probably a bit at the low site.
When doing the AD conversion any signal in excess of half the sample rate generates an error.
The input should therefore be band limited.
Low sample rates like 44.1 kHz forces you to use the same steep filtering (brick wall) as in the first generation CD players.
Higher sample rates allow using a smoother filter.
Vinyl can have a dynamic range of 70 dB (but often limited to 50 dB) so 70/6=12 bits should do. But you need some headroom and in case of post-processing it is beneficial to have a 24 bit format.
Ripping vinyl is a hell of a lot of work.
Even if 24/88 is overkill I rather would go for the overkill.
Some recording software can be found here.
AD converter
To digitize you need an AD converter.
This is typically a sector dominated by pro-audio companies like Prismsound, Metric Halo, etc
Older models often have a firewire interface.
Newer models support USB 2.
Metric Halo ULN-2. Starting at $1695
Prismsound Lyra 2 $3,225
RME Babyface € 535,00
- 24 bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converters
- 10 Input / 12 Output channels
- 2 x Analog Input
- 4 x Analog Output
- 1 x ADAT I/O or 1 x SPDIF I/O optical
- 1 x MIDI I/O
- 1 x USB 2.0
- 2 x Mic Preamp with digitally controlled gain
- 1 x Hi-Z instrument input
- TotalMix FX (with EQ, Reverb, Echo)
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 US$ 150
- 2 in / 2 out USB audio interface
- 96 KHz, 24-bit conversion
- 2 Focusrite microphone preamplifiers
- Red anodised aluminium unibody chassis
Ayre Acoustics QA-9 USB A/D converter $3950
Ayre, a brand typically targeting the audiophile, released an AD converter.
With the advent of file based audio they expect the audiophile to rip his vinyl.
Turntable information, images, articles and reviews from around the world. We have user manuals, service manuals, schematics and brochures available for free download. Created as an archive for classic, often unobtainable turntable manuals, we also provide information on many current products complete with links to manufacturers home pages and other online resources.
Nimbus Records transfer their 78s using an acoustic horn gramophone.
The only 'electric' part of the whole playback process is the Technics SL-15 turntable.
Vinyl archiving – Werner Ogiers
An article covering aspects like AD-converters, sample rate, LP production process, recording software.
Guide to Converting Analog Vinyl To Digital Files Using Windows - Mitch Barnett
How vinyl records are made - Do it