Hi everyone,

I'm pretty new to this recording from vinyl thing. I've recently made the switch from tables to cdj's and I have a couple of rare vinyls I would like to record to wav format.

I have two options:

1. Using my "Ikey" (regular not premium) it records via rca to a usb key in wav format, however I am skeptical of the recording quality.

2. Using my EMU 0404 USB (external audio interface) I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to it. If anyone can walk me through steps I would take to record out of my mixer into it I would appreciate it.

I'm already gonna take a guess that option 2 is better, if so which program do you guys recommend?

Cheers, Nick

Last edited by djcoral on Aug-23-2007 at 18:17

quote:

Originally posted by djcoral if so which program do you guys recommend?

It doesn't really matter, as far as recording goes they all do the same thing. However, Audacity is free.

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So I guess I can use sonic foundry's acid, I also have a demo copy of stienbergs wavelab which came with my EMU.

Is it recommended that I download a special codec?

Last edited by djcoral on Aug-23-2007 at 18:20

quote:

Originally posted by djcoral So I guess I can use sonic foundry's acid, I also have a demo copy of stienbergs wavelab which came with my EMU. Is it recommended that I download a special codec?

Well, if you're talking about mp3 codecs the only decent option there is is LAME.

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Latest releases:
Endless Cycles [Capital Heaven]
The Charlatan [Morphosis]

And even with LAME, Audacity uses it too.

quote:

Originally posted by DjWoody And even with LAME, Audacity uses it too.

Indeed

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Latest releases:
Endless Cycles [Capital Heaven]
The Charlatan [Morphosis]

Thanks for the replies guys, so I'm using audacity now and recording with my audio card set @ 96.0Khz. Audacity is by default setting every new track to record @ 44.1khz should I set my card to 44.1??

Usually the sound card records at the rate requested by the application, although I haven't used the sound interface you have. If it sounds like it should and the resulting file is 44.1khz, should be all set. If the soundcard is set to one mode and the application to another, the result is total garbage.

Using dedicated phono preamp instead of the mixer gives slightly cleaner sound. I use ARTcessories DJ pre2 phono preamplifier going straight into my sound interface. It sounds slightly cleaner than DJM-600. I guess less is more. I also use elliptical needle which sounds slightly brighter than spherically tipped one. Although it may sound too harsh to the ear, the resulted CD recording sounds better. Another tip, make sure your vinyl and needle tip are clean. I use Stanton VC-1 vinyl cleaner kit, which reduces high end distortion. If the vinyl is brand new, never opened or played before, i don't think it needs cleaning before recording. From my experience, I have found that recording at standard CD resolution is good enough if the file is going straight to the burner. You still want to keep your recording level as close to zero as you can get without peaking. Although i sometimes peak, but usually for a few samples which is not detectable by ear.