Getting vinyl onto digital.

[DickieMint]

OK folks.

I've got loads of vinyl records ... too many. They are getting old, dusty and taking up too much room. Not worth anything but I love the music.

Now I'd like to get these onto my pc and have seen various turntables which have usb's attached but they are so expensive. Also, I already have a turntable.

Now here is where I risk looking dumb. My turntable is connected to my stereo which has the usual headphones and other assorted sockets. My PC also has a variety of sockets. Is there some way of joining the two? Maybe even the headphone socket of the stereo to the microphone socket of the PC?

I accept that I may need to buy some software but would imagine this to be much cheaper than a new turntable.

What's the view?

[Buenchico]

Ideally, you should be trying to connect 'line out' to 'line in'. (This will ensure that the power level produced by the record deck or amplifier is matched to the appropriate input level for the PC).

So look for anything labelled 'line out' on either the deck or the amplifier. (It might well be from a pair of phono sockets but other types of sockets are sometimes used). Then look for a 'line in' socket on the back of your PC. (It's usually a 3.5mm jack socket next to the microphone socket).

Head to your nearest branch of Maplin Electronics and purchase an appropriate lead to make the connection. You can find your nearest store, or buy online, here:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/

If you've not got a 'line out' socket, you could use the headphone socket of the amplifier but you should keep the volume set fairly low. If you've not got a 'line in' socket you could use the microphone socket. (Again, you should try to keep the input signal to a low level).

The most popular (free) software for sound recording (and editing) is probably Audacity:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Chris

[Ethel]

Does this make sense to you? I haven't tried it, but can't see why it wouldn't work.

http://www.br0wn.co.uk/vinyltocd.htm

[DickieMint]

Thanks to you both for your answers. I'm certainly going to ive it a go....will take hours/days/weeks but at least I'll listen to all my music again.

Thanks again.