I have a ton of vinyl records and would like to be able to put them onto my computer so I can transfer them to an iPod or a Zune so I can listen to them. How do you get music off of vinyl and onto a computer in Mp3 format? I have a record player and a computer, but no idea how to link the 2. Suggestions?

5 Responses to “How do you transfer vinyl records onto a computer into mp3 format?”

1. rhardfrumnc on December 31st, 2009 4:05 pm

   ok,,,take your vinyls to a studio,,,,or record shop,,they should have recording facilities,,,they can record your vinyls,,,and then make you copies on cd,,but for you to do it,,,you would need thousands of dollars worth of equipment….

2. Chris on January 1st, 2010 11:59 pm

   There is a program (FREE!) called Audacity… I think it is Audacity.com You can get a cable that connects the headphone jack on your record player and connect it into one of the in jacks in the back of your computer. Then you should be able to play your records and record them onto Audacity… You need something else to convert it to MP3 but Audacity tells you about it.

3. R Dan Lord on January 4th, 2010 5:03 pm

   You will need to search for a specific type of hardware sound card that has right and left channel RCA type phono plugs that you can connect your turntable directly into. I had an API sound card years ago that I had to physically install into my PC, but there should be cards that utilize USB technology by now. Try: ’sound card vinyl transfer in you search. Good luck!

4. William F on January 4th, 2010 8:58 pm

   If you have a ceramic cartridge you can directly input
   the R+L signals into your PC you will need an adapter
   to go from single RCA plugs to a dual mini

   If you have a magnetic cartridge you will need a line
   transformer .. used to be readily available at Radio Shack
   a magnetic cartridge has a much lower output

   You can forego the transformer if you have a standard
   stereo reciever
   plug the phonograph in to it and then feed the
   RECORD output to your PC
   (old cassette input outputs)

   I also use and highly recommend audicity
   make sure you get the latest version
   and you the PROPER drivers for your sound device

   proper doesn’t always mean newest

   Audacity has two MP3 varieties
   the difference is in the ID3 tags
   best to use the most compatible selection

   Audacity also has equalizer functions
   using major studio sound profiles
   and a noise sample and removal tool
   so play the blank into track sample the noise
   and remove the stylus popping from your recordings

   Have fun,, also becareful where you place those recordings
   on the internet and dont distribute them
   ASCAP and BMI can fine you millions for 1 song

5. zipper on January 5th, 2010 10:16 am

   Her’e the way the pros do it with a 24 bit sound card = /Audity se at best buy /audigy se

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