I like my vinyl records. I want to make digital files out of them. What are my options ... which don't include a new turntable and, preferably but not absolutely, don't require my computer and stereo to be in the same room? I'm on a Mac.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy on Sep 2, 2009 - 19 answers

I would like to set up a system where my turntable and my iMac all flow out of a nice set of speakers. I have no idea where to start. [more inside]
posted by Foam Pants on Dec 14, 2008 - 9 answers

We were rearranging the shelves in my house today, and we found a bunch of old tapes from my
Dad's friends from when he lived in Spain (he was born there, as was I). His friends mixed
a bunch of bands together to make this very cool-sounding tape, and the thought struck me: Why not
rip this? (edit: also found bunch of old tapes my brother made of a punk radio station. woot!)

Of course, I lack the knowledge required.

So my question essentially is: what sort of process, programs, and materials is one required to
go through to convert these tapes to mp3? Would the machine I'd have to buy also double as a
tape-pl-ayer itself? What about records? I've been wanting a record player for a while, and I've
been wanting to rip some records as well. Are there record-rippers which double as players? Are
there record/tape player/rippers all combined into one machine? How complicated is this process?
How expensive does it have to be? I don't want to end up with really badly ripped files, but I
don't want studio equipment, either. Basically, what do I have to go through to get good
sounding, 192-320 kbps mp3s from my tapes and records that I could then distribute via
BitTorrent? Thanks.
posted by Lockeownzj00 on Feb 12, 2005 - 17 answers

I just added Guns and Roses - Appetite for Destruction with the orig artwork but the vinyl seems dirty and sounds bad. Does anyone have any preferences or suggestions for a good record cleaner?
posted by BMF on Aug 11, 2004 - 13 answers

I have a Stanton Str8-20 Turntable coupled with a Yamaha CR-640 (1980 vintage) Amplifier. Playing orchestrated music, the loudest sounds of the vinyl will distort. I had to 'tune' the turntable before using it, and this was my first time. I googled but nothing helped. Can anyone give me advice regarding the distortion, which is probably relevant to the fine tuning of the turntable? [more inside]
posted by Keyser Soze on Dec 25, 2003 - 7 answers