Vinyl to mp3's

[loveformetal1]

I was wondering if theres a way to convert vinyls to mp3's..Somebody wants me to do this for them, I have access to a stereo which has a turn table, cd and tape player so its fully digital, with input and output sources which I'll probably need, question is how!?

I thought I saw this once in the Faq setion but now there is no real FAQ section
Thx

[yoda313]

Sure. You have a couple of options.

1. - some mp3 players like the iriver h series have line in recording that will let you record straight to mp3 (you will need an rca stereo to headphone converter - they are cheap less than 10.00 I believe and chances are you probably already have one laying around if you have lots of electronic gear stored).

2 - record to the input jack on your soundcard - use the line out from your stereo system and use a rca stereo to headphone jack adapter to the line in on your soundcard. DO NOT USE MIC IN - it's meant for microphones not clean audio sources like external audio equipment.

Those are the main options. The third one I can think of is to buy or borrow an EXTERNAL CD RECORDER STAND ALONE model. It works like a tape deck but you record straight to cd. I have one and it works well but you need to use "music" recordable cdrs, not the data ones for computers - ie more expensive.

[loveformetal1]

So the cord I use to plug from the output of stereo to the rcs stsero to headphone jack should be one of those thick 2 ended plugs thats like a bigger version of a headphone end? I have a guitar cord, will that work?

[jagabo]

Check you sound card, but most use a mini pinplug connector for line-in. So you probably want 2 RCA to mini pin plug. Like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Audio-Cable-Splitter-1-Mini/dp/B00004Z5CP

[loveformetal1]

O goody I have 1 of those lying around now I must hunt it down tyvm!!

[loveformetal1]

Now that I know how to plug it in what program do I use excuse my ignorance I'm not very computer savy

[Scooter_NJ]

Perhaps something like this would work best:

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=TTUSB

[jagabo]

Audacity is free, powerful, and works well.

[loveformetal1]

Cool thx I already have audacity score!

[tomlee59]

One extremely important rule to observe when capturing audio is this: NEVER allow the audio to overload. The slightest overload results in truly dreadful distortion (much, much worse than anything you've experienced with pure analog amplifiers). It's best to set levels by testing with the loudest portion of the track you're trying to encode, and making sure that it's ok there.