how to make recordings with my set-up?

[decibelle]

I'm looking to make uncompressed recordings and MP3s of my LPs and cassettes, but I'm not technically proficient in audio editing, and I don't even know all the terminology. I'd like to know how to do a good quality recording job, hopefully without having to add much more equipment.

My stereo equipment is: Technics SL QD22 turntable, Audio Technica cartridge and stylus, Technics SA-GX130 receiver, TEAC R-505 cassette deck. I'm very happy with all of them. My computer has a Creative SB Live! Series (WDM) soundcard.

The biggest stumbling block is my stereo set-up is in a different room than my computer's, and neither can be moved without a huge amount of trouble. Is there any way that I can connect the two by running something like a 50-foot cable without degrading quality? If not, I need to get something that I can record to at the source for transferring to my computer later -- either some kind of dedicated digital recording device suited to that purpose, or a laptop. I wouldn't be able to do everything on the laptop, because I have certain disabilities that my desktop is configured to work with.

Thanks,
Ellen

[Coffee Phil]

Hi Ellen,

I assume that you got the audio input to your computer working.

I think that what you are proposing is technically feasible. I think your receiver tape output should be able to drive 50 feet of decent shielded audio cable. I think the setup will be highly inconvenient. Imagine setting the stylus on the record and stating the recording. You could start the recording first then walk to the turntable and set the stylus down. You will have to edit out the dead space later. Also setting levels will be a pain but doable. Vinyl Studio which I am currently trying to learn has a feature which starts recording when the stylus contacts the record. I can't vouch for its usefulness as I have had to deselect it to get as far as I have.

If you can get a notebook computer with a decent sound card and have it configured in a manner similar to your desktop such that you can have access to your turntable and computer within an arms reach of each other I think you will be much happier.

Phil

I'm looking to make uncompressed recordings and MP3s of my LPs and cassettes, but I'm not technically proficient in audio editing, and I don't even know all the terminology. I'd like to know how to do a good quality recording job, hopefully without having to add much more equipment.

My stereo equipment is: Technics SL QD22 turntable, Audio Technica cartridge and stylus, Technics SA-GX130 receiver, TEAC R-505 cassette deck. I'm very happy with all of them. My computer has a Creative SB Live! Series (WDM) soundcard.

The biggest stumbling block is my stereo set-up is in a different room than my computer's, and neither can be moved without a huge amount of trouble. Is there any way that I can connect the two by running something like a 50-foot cable without degrading quality? If not, I need to get something that I can record to at the source for transferring to my computer later -- either some kind of dedicated digital recording device suited to that purpose, or a laptop. I wouldn't be able to do everything on the laptop, because I have certain disabilities that my desktop is configured to work with.

Thanks,
Ellen

[Trackside]

Hi Ellen,
You could use a dedicated solid state field audio recorder for recording close to your Hi-Fi. Most of these have a line level input which is all you need. I have a Sony D50 which sounds as good as any dedicated onboard or outboard souncard or interface I've used and way better than any sounblaster or onboard laptop mic input.

[Dimal]

G'day "Decibelle"...

Hmmm... I think 50' long, unbalanced line-level leads would impact on the audio quality at the delivery end and maybe quite noisy. I wouldn't do it anyway, quite apart from the inconvenience aspect of doing it like this.

Would it be possible to mount Caster Wheels on your Computer Desk, and simply wheel it in next to your HiFi system, so that standard leads could be used? That's what I've done with my setup and is quite convenient until such time as I rig up something more aesthetically pleasing and permanent.

If this is not possible, there are some devices on the market these days, that use wireless technology to transmit Digital Audio Streams, at reasonable quality rates, that may be suitable. The devices I've seen in our neck of the woods retail for around the AUD$100.00 mark so a visit to your local Audio/Video suppliers might be able to reveal something suitable.

Hope some of this helps....
Mal.

[decibelle]

Thanks, everybody.

Trackside, that recorder option is definitely the best for me. I just ordered a comparable recorder (Tascam DR2D) that got fabulous reviews and was also drastically marked down at Amazon (it was the last one left, so I just grabbed it). I will report back when I receive it.

Ellen

[Coffee Phil]

Hi Dimal,

While 50'of cable between te sound system and the computer is a bit "klugey" I think the Technics receiver tape output should be able to deal with the capacitance without going unstable. Now for the hum issue. If everything in the sound system is powered with a non-grounding plug it should be fine. If there is something in the sound system like a new TV with a three wire plug you can pretty much count on a ground loop and bunch of hum. Desktop computers are typically powered with grounded plugs. Those grounded to ungrounded adapters should break the ground loop. Also if the antenna to the receiver is grounded a DC block in both the center conductor and the shield will be required. As I said to Ellen I think it could be done but it would be about my last choice.

Phil

G'day "Decibelle"...

Hmmm... I think 50' long, unbalanced line-level leads would impact on the audio quality at the delivery end and maybe quite noisy. I wouldn't do it anyway, quite apart from the inconvenience aspect of doing it like this.

Would it be possible to mount Caster Wheels on your Computer Desk, and simply wheel it in next to your HiFi system, so that standard leads could be used? That's what I've done with my setup and is quite convenient until such time as I rig up something more aesthetically pleasing and permanent.

If this is not possible, there are some devices on the market these days, that use wireless technology to transmit Digital Audio Streams, at reasonable quality rates, that may be suitable. The devices I've seen in our neck of the woods retail for around the AUD$100.00 mark so a visit to your local Audio/Video suppliers might be able to reveal something suitable.

Hope some of this helps....
Mal.

[Coffee Phil]

Hi Ellen,

I think you have made a good choice. As a foreigner from the land of analog in the land of digital it did not occur to me. I be waiting for your report.

Phil

Thanks, everybody.

Trackside, that recorder option is definitely the best for me. I just ordered a comparable recorder (Tascam DR2D) that got fabulous reviews and was also drastically marked down at Amazon (it was the last one left, so I just grabbed it). I will report back when I receive it.

Ellen

[mmarston]

That should work well for you. You'll probably want to get a much larger SD card though, especially if you're going to make high resolution copies. 2GB will hold about 45 minutes of 24/96 WAV files. The dual recording "safety" feature looks useful but will double your memory usage. You're going to want to transfer files to the PC anyway, to edit and to clean up noises, etc. But it will be convenient to be able to record several albums in one session.

As an aside, I have made a lot of recordings with a PC in another room. My DJ system does have 3-wire power cords. As Phil suggested, I experienced ground loop hum with a 50 ft. unbalanced cable, until I powered everything from the same AC outlet. No other noise or frequency response issues, though. And it is definitely cumbersome logistically. A lot of walking back and forth...

Happy dubbing!
Mike

[Dimal]

Hi Dimal,

While 50'of cable between te sound system and the computer is a bit "klugey"...

Hi Phil'...

Completely Au Fait with all of this as it happens. My background is electrical engineering specialising in control systems and SCADA, and was really only adding support to what you had already written mate...

Mal.

[mmarston]

Hi Dimal,

While 50'of cable between te sound system and the computer is a bit "klugey"...

Hi Phil'...

Completely Au Fait with all of this as it happens. My background is electrical engineering specialising in control systems and SCADA, and was really only adding support to what you had already written mate...

Mal.

RF tech here. "I was a teenage ham..." Trained for broadcast engineering, worked in 2-way, paging, some SCADA, now 802.11; also built rude sound mixers before they became too cheap to justify the labor... so sensitive to lead dress, etc. Was pleasantly surprised to have only the easily solved hum issue. Still not a long term solution...

Best,
Mike

[Coffee Phil]

Hi Mal,

I think I'm pretty much on the same page with you on this but if I had a reason to run audio down 50' of unbalanced cable I'd accept the challenge. Not too long ago I did worse than that. Our main TV and satellite receiver with DVR is in the family room. In the exercise room we have a second TV and had a satellite receiver without DVR. After using a DVR there is no going back. I can't stand the commercials. The satellite company wanted a fortune for a second DVR receiver or a whole house DVR setup. I am somewhat frugal, some would say cheap but I prefer frugal. I noticed that from the family room to the exercise room I had 75 Ohm coax and Cat. 6 cable via the closet with the hub of the structured wiring. I ran the luminance signal (most bandwidth) through the 75 Ohm coax and the two color difference signals down two of the cable pairs in the Cat. 6 leaving two more pairs for the left and right audio. I put one of the ground loop isolating transformers used for car stereo installations on the audio for good measure and I had to lift the ground on the exercise room TV. I was going to build an active balun for the color difference signals but haven't gotten to it yet. The path via the Cat. 6 had ~ 100 ns. more delay than the coax so I had to add a bunch of 75 Ohm cable coiled up in the closet as a delay line so the luminance and color difference signals would arrive at the same time. All told it is not quite as good as HDMI but its not to far off. I was able to send back the non DVR receiver so the satellite CO. is getting less money off of me.

Phil

Hi Dimal,

While 50'of cable between te sound system and the computer is a bit "klugey"...

Hi Phil'...

Completely Au Fait with all of this as it happens. My background is electrical engineering specialising in control systems and SCADA, and was really only adding support to what you had already written mate...

Mal.

[Dimal]

Great stuff Phil' and g'day Mike...

Nothing like some 'innovative' solutions to overcome an alternative 'expensive' one....

Mal.

[decibelle]

I received my recorder and have been playing around with it a little. Now, the question is how to connect it to my receiver. Looking at the manual that I downloaded, I don't see anything specifically about a line out. What is there are a couple of outlets on the back (among others) under "tape" that say "rec (out)." (There is also "play (in)" under tape.) Right now there are cables in those outlets so that the cassette deck can make recordings – something I'm not really interested in doing anymore! So, should I just my stereo cable to the record out?

Thanks,
Ellen

[Trackside]

rec out is what you want