



As a general rule, consumer outputs are the familiar RCA phono connectors we all know professional outputs are usually 1/4 inch TRS or XLR connectors.ĭon’t worry too much if all of that seems like a lot of information. We refer to both as professional line level and consumer line level respectively. The most common nominal level for professional audio equipment is +4 dBu, whereas most consumer Hi-Fi audio works at a nominal level of −10 dBV. However, before you do, it’s worth remembering that consumer Hi-Fi electronics output a different signal level to standard “professional” studio devices. If you’ve been collecting records for some time, the chances are you’re already set up with a turntable, in which case you can skip straight to the ADC. As a complimentary phono stage option, the Rega Fono Mini A2D will get you up and running at a relatively low cost this unit even has built-in ADC with USB output for those looking to streamline the setup process. In other words, the better your kit, the better your records will sound.įor those just getting started, I can happily recommend the Pro-Ject® Debut Carbon as a great affordable turntable that nails the critical performance aspects without the bells and whistles of many turntable designs. When choosing your recording setup, it’s worth keeping in mind that the final result will only ever be as good as the weakest component in the signal chain.
Vinyl converter for mac upgrade#
You could, of course, purchase a turntable with a built-in USB output that will essentially combine all three items in one, but buying individual components will often produce better results, and it allows you to upgrade each hardware component at a later date. On the hardware side, you will need a turntable (obviously), a phono stage, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Whatever your reason for creating digital copies of your vinyl records, you’ll need a few crucial pieces of kit, and a few instructions to get you started. Or, perhaps, you’re not keen on streaming, but would still like the convenience of digital files on the move. It could be that you prefer the aesthetic of how vinyl sounds. There are, of course, plenty of further reasons. With some older recordings, or even more obscure artists, it is quite common that a recording may never have been re-released.Īlternatively, you might just prefer how a record was mastered compared to the digital release many record labels and engineers master to each format, and in some cases, the vinyl master receives more gentle compression, which can result in a less squashed, dynamic sounding recording. But the truth is there are still plenty of good reasons to capture the sound of vinyl and turn them into convenient digital files that you can take with you wherever you roam.įor starters, many of the records you own could be unavailable in any other format. In a world increasingly dominated by the convenience and portability of streaming services, some collectors may question the value of digitizing vinyl records.
