Vinyl to MP3 Conversion

[Guest]

Can anyone recommend some decent software for converting vinyl to mp3 files? I've been using EZ Vinyl Converter but find it very imperfect. It is ponderous and tends to create multiple files, not all of which work. Ideally the software would automatically divide the audio into different tracks and send the mp3s to my iTunes library.

[VodkaDilc]

Why not just play the vinyl? There are still plenty of players being made! Surely a better medium than mp3s, sonically, aesthetically, and every other way!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I do all my digital conversion using a Sony CD recorder. Then it's easy to convert to mp3 (which I do if I don't already have the music on my iPod).

[Mark Sealey]

Martin,

There was either and advertisement or article dealing with just this in Gramophone this month.

I've used CD Spin Doctor from Roxio (part of the Toast suite) with success.

Other ideas here. Good luck!

[Bryn]

I reckon your best bet is to use a low cost or free audio editor such as Audicity or the one that comes as part of the full version of various disc burning software such as Nero, then get rid of the most intrusive clicks, etc. (preferably in conjunction with a graphics pad for redrawing the damaged waveforms, then, if you insist on converting to mp3, use Lame and go for a high bit rate. Remember, every little snap, crackle or pop uses up valuable mp3 data that you would prefer was used to represent the music. If a record company has already re-issued what is on the vinyl, in CD format, give up and buy that. You are unlikely to get anywhere near as good results as thay have fromteh original masters.

[Mark Sealey]

…if you insist on converting to mp3…

Bryn's point is a good one: MP3 is a "lossy" audio file format; WAV or aiff are likely to be more faithful to the original.

[John Wright]

Audacity is a pretty good free software, for WAV or mp3 (need lame file). With audacity there is noise removal tool (use at minimum settings) and you can manually chop out residual clicks (if chopping out up to 0.01 secs nobody will notice).

If you want to spend money a medium priced software is Algorithmix Sound Rescue which I use for my 78rpm podcasts and it has vinyl and tape settings in the software too.

[Martin Reynolds]

Thanks to all for helpful comments. I've settled on Audacity. Merry Christmas! Martin.