record and copy vinyl to cd and mp3

convert from LPs to CDs and

Troubleshooting vinyl to CD Recordings.

The most common problem is no signal being recorded. Likely solutions are:

Go to Control Panel - Multimedia and make sure the Recording Device is set to match your soundcard, and the box 'use only preferred devices' is checked.

Record volume line in is not selected - double click the little loudspeaker in your system tray. Choose 'Options' 'Properties' and hit the 'Recording' radio button and OK. Now you'll see the recording settings. Set Line In to max. and check the select box..

picture illustrates the windows box showing where the recording control is

The soundcard line-input is not working. Try the microphone input to see if that works (you'll have to select micorphone as the input on your recording control) - its mono but it will prove everthing else works.

You connected your turntable straight to the sound card, without an amp or a preamp. More on this in the hardware section above.

Another common problem is getting mono and not stereo. Make sure you selected stereo in your recording software. The turntable may be at fault, try another sound source (tuner or tape deck). Check the system out with a sound that is very clearly stereo.

Using Laptop Computers for recording

<>Laptops rarely have line-in connections, and if you use the micorphone socket the recording will be in mono. The solution is to buy a USB audio adaptor, should be about £15, or Creative make an external version of their soundcard.

Background Noise Problems

A good recording should have low background noise, although you can't expect absolutely zero as you will record the sound of the stylus tracking on the vinyl. If there's a significant noise there are several things that can be generating electrical noise;

1. Any transformer thats near to your PC. Your PC speakers usually have a built in mains transformer, try recording with them turned off. Any other suspicious kit, turn it off or move it away.

2. The computers Power Supply Unit (PSU). These can be electrically noisy, as well as physically noisy. There are a number of whisper quiet PSUs on the market, but the only way to test if this is the problem is to try one.

3. Your turntable. The best hifi turntables are 12v with the transformer at the plug end - ie well away from the stylus. Again, this is a costly option, but maybe you could loan one to test.

4. Your hifi amp or preamp. This is the last port of call and its unlikely to be the problem unless its faulty because (audiophiles turn away now) the difference between even a low budget amplifier and the best is quite small - much more than the difference between the best and worst PSUs and turntables.