USB Audio Interface for a Mac
January 19, 2016 7:05 AM Subscribe
I need a USB Audio interface to take my phono pre-amp output into the USB on my iMac. (There is no audio line-in on the iMac.) I have one of the Behringer U202s (don't remember the actual number), but I cannot adjust the input level on the Mac, as it is unsupported on the Behringer. So, I need RCA in, USB out, with level adjustment during recording. I would like to be able to get 24-bit input. Any suggestions?
I have seen this previous question, but it's a bit old. Also, I am getting confused reading specs, so I hoped someone would have a solid suggestion.
I have seen this previous question, but it's a bit old. Also, I am getting confused reading specs, so I hoped someone would have a solid suggestion.
Response by poster: scruss, that looks good. If the output is already coming out of an amp with phono pre-amp, would I have to switch the RCA into that pre-amp, or could I set it up inline with the existing stereo? You may not know, but thought I'd ask.
posted by OmieWise at 7:57 AM on January 19, 2016
posted by OmieWise at 7:57 AM on January 19, 2016
Unless you are willing to spend quite a bit more than things like the Behringer, I would not worry too much about 24 bits, as you'll mostly be getting noise from cheap circuitry in the extra precision.
If your purpose is recording LPs, you can go through a phono preamp the apply the EQ curves needed to balance the sound or you can record directly to the capture device and apply the EQ in software.
posted by Candleman at 8:31 AM on January 19, 2016
If your purpose is recording LPs, you can go through a phono preamp the apply the EQ curves needed to balance the sound or you can record directly to the capture device and apply the EQ in software.
posted by Candleman at 8:31 AM on January 19, 2016
I have a Yamaha Audiogram 3, but if you want 24 bit, how about this ?
I am assuming that since you mention having a phono pre-amp, you don't need to worry about RIAA equalization and just need line level input.
posted by rfs at 9:19 AM on January 19, 2016
I am assuming that since you mention having a phono pre-amp, you don't need to worry about RIAA equalization and just need line level input.
posted by rfs at 9:19 AM on January 19, 2016
Unless the signal is clipping, you might want to just stick with the U202. Being unable to adjust the input gain isn't that much of a dealbreaker. (Consider it this way -- if the input signal is at half of max volume, you're only losing 1 bit of dynamic range, disregarding any noise floor that might be present.)
Also, depending on your Mac, you might be able to configure the 1/8" headphone jack as an input. My Macbook Pro definitely does this (although conversely my work Retina Macbook Pro I'm on right now doesn't). Check your Sound preferences.
If the output is already coming out of an amp with phono pre-amp, would I have to switch the RCA into that pre-amp, or could I set it up inline with the existing stereo?
I'm not sure what you mean by this... if you have a receiver unit with a phono pre-amp built in, you should be able to record from the receiver's "tape recorder" output -- this signal ought to be pre-amplified.
posted by neckro23 at 10:28 AM on January 19, 2016
Also, depending on your Mac, you might be able to configure the 1/8" headphone jack as an input. My Macbook Pro definitely does this (although conversely my work Retina Macbook Pro I'm on right now doesn't). Check your Sound preferences.
If the output is already coming out of an amp with phono pre-amp, would I have to switch the RCA into that pre-amp, or could I set it up inline with the existing stereo?
I'm not sure what you mean by this... if you have a receiver unit with a phono pre-amp built in, you should be able to record from the receiver's "tape recorder" output -- this signal ought to be pre-amplified.
posted by neckro23 at 10:28 AM on January 19, 2016
Best answer: I use a Focusrite audio interface and it's great for both getting line in, electric guitar and (even phantom-powered) mics into my Mac. It is also great for getting audio out - I run pro powered speakers from its balanced outputs and can set their volume with an actual volume knob on the Focusrite.
I don't know about plugging a phono signal in though. It should work with the low-level input given that electric guitar and unpowered mics work, but you are not going to get the RIAA equalisation that a phono preamp would apply. Basically when they master vinyl they reduce the bass to avoid having the needle skip on playback, and phono preamps boost the bass it to restore the original signal.
Is there software which does the exact RIAA EQ for digital recordings? Presumably there is.
posted by w0mbat at 10:47 AM on January 19, 2016
I don't know about plugging a phono signal in though. It should work with the low-level input given that electric guitar and unpowered mics work, but you are not going to get the RIAA equalisation that a phono preamp would apply. Basically when they master vinyl they reduce the bass to avoid having the needle skip on playback, and phono preamps boost the bass it to restore the original signal.
Is there software which does the exact RIAA EQ for digital recordings? Presumably there is.
posted by w0mbat at 10:47 AM on January 19, 2016
Response by poster: I use a Focusrite audio interface and it's great for both getting line in
I looked all through their page and couldn't find a unit that would accept an RCA pair line-in, although they all seemed to have RCA out.
I'm not sure what you mean by this... if you have a receiver unit with a phono pre-amp built in, you should be able to record from the receiver's "tape recorder" output -- this signal ought to be pre-amplified.
Exactly. But the linked unit is itself a phono pre-amp, so I was wondering if I would have to plug my TT into it, or if I could put it inline with my present system somehow.
The issue with the UC202 is that the output is actually very low. I can normalize with Audacity, but I kind of thought that was a bad idea. I guess I'm showing my ignorance. Maybe it isn't?
posted by OmieWise at 11:30 AM on January 19, 2016
I looked all through their page and couldn't find a unit that would accept an RCA pair line-in, although they all seemed to have RCA out.
I'm not sure what you mean by this... if you have a receiver unit with a phono pre-amp built in, you should be able to record from the receiver's "tape recorder" output -- this signal ought to be pre-amplified.
Exactly. But the linked unit is itself a phono pre-amp, so I was wondering if I would have to plug my TT into it, or if I could put it inline with my present system somehow.
The issue with the UC202 is that the output is actually very low. I can normalize with Audacity, but I kind of thought that was a bad idea. I guess I'm showing my ignorance. Maybe it isn't?
posted by OmieWise at 11:30 AM on January 19, 2016
Best answer: I use a Focusrite audio interface and it's great for both getting line in
I looked all through their page and couldn't find a unit that would accept an RCA pair line-in, although they all seemed to have RCA out.
I use the Focusrite 2i2, with some 1/4" to RCA adapters. Sounds great.
posted by STFUDonnie at 12:22 PM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
I looked all through their page and couldn't find a unit that would accept an RCA pair line-in, although they all seemed to have RCA out.
I use the Focusrite 2i2, with some 1/4" to RCA adapters. Sounds great.
posted by STFUDonnie at 12:22 PM on January 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Another happy Focusrite 2i2 customer here, although I use it in the reverse direction from what you're trying to do (MIDI keys triggering patches on a Mac, Focusrite out of the Mac into PA.)
posted by emelenjr at 3:06 PM on January 19, 2016
posted by emelenjr at 3:06 PM on January 19, 2016
Best answer: Griffin Technology's iMic - comes with a stereo RCA-1/8" phone adapter cable, a switch to select between mic-level (this would work with a non-preamp turntable) and line-level, works with Mac or PC- $40.
I like it so much I have two!
posted by DandyRandy at 12:14 PM on January 20, 2016
I like it so much I have two!
posted by DandyRandy at 12:14 PM on January 20, 2016
Exactly. But the linked unit is itself a phono pre-amp, so I was wondering if I would have to plug my TT into it, or if I could put it inline with my present system somehow.
So you have a UFO202? There's a switch on top that lets you turn the phono preamp on/off. (I have one too, actually, though I haven't used it lately.)
If your volume level is "very low" then I suspect your signal isn't being pre-amplified at all.
posted by neckro23 at 2:42 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
So you have a UFO202? There's a switch on top that lets you turn the phono preamp on/off. (I have one too, actually, though I haven't used it lately.)
If your volume level is "very low" then I suspect your signal isn't being pre-amplified at all.
posted by neckro23 at 2:42 PM on January 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seconding neckro23 and w0mbat - "phono preamp" is a specific bit of circuitry that boosts the level of a turntable signal and applies some corrective equalization (fixes the balance of tones, basically.) You need one of these directly after your turntable in your signal chain in order to get a proper useable level and sound.
So, if you've got the UFO202, you need to make sure the phono preamp switch is on, then you should be able to record via USB no problem. If you've got the UCA202, that's not a phono preamp, hooking your turntable up directly to that unit will give you low levels and bad sound. In which case, you need to either hook your turntable up to the phono preamp in a receiver or to a separate standalone phono preamp (like this cheap Behringer), then connect the "tape out" from the receiver or directly from the outputs of the standalone unit to the inputs of the UCA202.
I can normalize with Audacity, but I kind of thought that was a bad idea.
The first thing to do is set proper input levels with the Recording Volume slider (the one with the microphone icon, even if you're not using an actual microphone) in the Mixer toolbar. This gets you the best signal-to-noise ratio. "Normalize" is kinda meant to even stuff out after you've recorded it, and if your original recorded signal is low, it's possible/likely that normalizing will also significantly raise the level of noise/hiss/hum. If you still can't get enough volume by raising the recording volume slider, or raising that slider adds a lot of noise, you then need to figure out a way to raise the volume of the level of your turntable signal before you connect to your USB interface, which is kind of a different problem.
posted by soundguy99 at 7:44 AM on January 21, 2016
So, if you've got the UFO202, you need to make sure the phono preamp switch is on, then you should be able to record via USB no problem. If you've got the UCA202, that's not a phono preamp, hooking your turntable up directly to that unit will give you low levels and bad sound. In which case, you need to either hook your turntable up to the phono preamp in a receiver or to a separate standalone phono preamp (like this cheap Behringer), then connect the "tape out" from the receiver or directly from the outputs of the standalone unit to the inputs of the UCA202.
I can normalize with Audacity, but I kind of thought that was a bad idea.
The first thing to do is set proper input levels with the Recording Volume slider (the one with the microphone icon, even if you're not using an actual microphone) in the Mixer toolbar. This gets you the best signal-to-noise ratio. "Normalize" is kinda meant to even stuff out after you've recorded it, and if your original recorded signal is low, it's possible/likely that normalizing will also significantly raise the level of noise/hiss/hum. If you still can't get enough volume by raising the recording volume slider, or raising that slider adds a lot of noise, you then need to figure out a way to raise the volume of the level of your turntable signal before you connect to your USB interface, which is kind of a different problem.
posted by soundguy99 at 7:44 AM on January 21, 2016
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posted by scruss at 7:44 AM on January 19, 2016