USB Turntables

[discopsycho]

I'm thinking about purchasing a USB Turntable. Any suggestions? I have been recording from my current turntable to a cd recorder, and then transferring to my computer to do some cleaning of the sound on a program I have. Is there any loss in sound from the multiple transfers? If not, is it worth buying a USB Turntable.

Thanks in advance.

[BrunoRepublic]

USB turntables are convenient, but they don't offer much in the way of sound quality. They're usually made of plastic and come with a cheap and nasty cartridge (one that is usually p-mount, which eliminates most better cartridges).

If sound quality matters, you're much better off to use a regular turntable and spend the money on a good sound card and phono cartridge instead.

[discopsycho]

Thanks for your input, Graham.

Do you think how I've been doing it is okay (record to cd recorder to computer) or am I losing something along the way?

[BrunoRepublic]

Originally Posted by discopsycho

Thanks for your input, Graham.

Do you think how I've been doing it is okay (record to cd recorder to computer) or am I losing something along the way?

You're not losing anything, although it does sound like a rather tedious process.

[disco1999]

Got myself a ION USB turntable at a local Radio Shack and managed to take it back to the store for refund, the quality of materials are poor it didn't perform that well overall. When you're used to the SL1200's it's hard to settle to something cheaper.

The price has lowered recently from $199 to $169 cad

[TheLordOfFlatbush]

I've a Stanton T90 USB Turntable and the sound quality is A-OK. You can record either with USB or Digital Out to your recorder.

The only flaw is an unusual hum from recording USB that I can't understanding why that sound exists? I'm going to try tonight recording from digital out to see that problem still exists.

[disco1999]

Is your turntable grounded ? Very likely the solution.

[TheLordOfFlatbush]

Originally Posted by disco1999

Is your turntable grounded ? Very likely the solution.

The turntable isn't grounded! However, the best way to record is to use the coaxial cable (Monster Cable) from the Turntable Digital Out into the CD-R/CD-RW Recorder Digital In. Use the Digital Record Level and there wasn't any hum present from sound.

[Mr.Ree]

Originally Posted by discopsycho

I'm thinking about purchasing a USB Turntable. Any suggestions? I have been recording from my current turntable to a cd recorder, and then transferring to my computer to do some cleaning of the sound on a program I have. Is there any loss in sound from the multiple transfers? If not, is it worth buying a USB Turntable.

Thanks in advance.

I've been using mine all day today, I'm QUITE happy with the sound quality (though I'm no audiophile). I just don't like the way this particular model (the Numark TT is designed). You can't raise the arm anyway except manually (and that takes a VERY steady hand) and the 33/45 speed controls are in a horrible location...it's almost impossible to pick up the tone arm without accidentally hitting the speed controls. And it didn't come with a dust cover. I have a feeling these were rushed out into the marketplace in an attempt to get a jump on the competition, which in retrospect was a pretty bad idea. But wow, the advantages of these are awesome in that they allow you to turn your favorite records into CDs or Mp3s so that you can listen to them whenever you like without wearing out the record and shortening its life.

[BrunoRepublic]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ree

But wow, the advantages of these are awesome in that they allow you to turn your favorite records into CDs or Mp3s so that you can listen to them whenever you like without wearing out the record and shortening its life.

But if you have a computer, all you need is a regular turntable, an adapter cable, and some free software to do this...