i use jack_capture to save to flac. i have a music hall turntable, feeding a NAD preamp, which then feeds my frontier designs tango24 ADC which feeds my RME audio interface. the biggest obstacle: i have to manually create track boundaries or per-track files *if* i want them. second biggest obstacle: the music hall is a fully manual deck, so i have to be there to both stop the recording *and* lift the tonearm off the vinyl. On 3/4/12, Adam<adam707(a)verizon.net> wrote: > Hello everyone! I just joined this list and already I feel I'm in > way over my head. :-) I have one simple question, but it definitely > involves using Linux for audio. In fact, it's such a simple and > common question that I'm almost embarrassed to ask the experts here > about it. > > I've finally got my collection of analog sound recordings (LPs and > audiocassettes) down to the relatively few that aren't available in > any digital format but are worth preserving. That means I'll have > to digitize those myself. So -- > > Can anyone recommend (or disparage) any particular hardware and > software for digitizing sound recordings? > > Here are some specifics about my equipment and my expectations: > > Something close to CD quality or 320 kbps MP3s will be "good enough" > here. I'll be dealing only with existing stereo recordings. I > already have a turntable, receiver (including phono preamp), and > cassette deck, all working, that are IMO good enough. I also have > the 25' of audio cables (RCA plugs) necessary to connect my "stereo > system" to my computer, unless rearranging my entire room to bring > them closer together would make a significant difference. > > At the computer end, I have an low-end Compaq desktop with > integrated audio (inadequate quality for input here) running > Mandriva 2010.0, an available PCIe-x16 slot and some USB 2.0 ports > (no Firewire), plus lots (hundreds of GBs) of free HD space. For > the new audio hardware, I'd prefer something that not only fits this > machine and runs well under Linux, but will also be usable in future > desktop Linux systems (e.g. not a plain PCI card if possible). > Anything that would fit into that PCIe x16 slot (I understand a PCIe > x1 card will work in a PCIe x16 slot) or a USB port -- I just need > something that will accept line-level stereo inputs. I'm hoping to > find something decent in the US $40-80 range, new or used. > > For software, I thought I could use 'rec' to put the digitized audio > into some standard file format (and automatically split it into > tracks if desired), and 'audacity' for the digital signal processing > (noise reduction, declicking, etc.). Or are there other programs > that would be better for me, either in audio quality or ease of use? > > Any recommendations for hardware or software, especially hardware, > would be very much appreciated! Suggestions on where else to look > for advice would be welcomed too. Thanks!

Hi Adam, On 5 March 2012 02:37, Adam<adam707(a)verizon.net> wrote: Behringer UCA-202 (I believe now also comes as UCA-222, I haven't spotted the difference) works. It's not high end, available around £20-25 range and takes in RCA style output from your preamp / receiver. I got one and use it for podcasts. It's one of the most basic and reasonably function-filled (has in-line monitoring etc.) USB sound cards. I use Timemachine to record data from Jack and then edit it later with Audacity if there's need and use Ardour to do the multi-tracking.

i had a Behringer UCA-202 , Phono Pre version its ADC clipped on almost all my records, and there is no gain control, on either it or my turntable. (most of my records are DNB/House 12"s cut fairly hot). so it was pretty much useless

i much prefer the ART Tech pre, in a tank-style case, with a gain pot, roughly +-12dB range, and a Red LED to indicate clipping.

for something like archival recording, im not sure i'd want 25' of cable running an analog signal.

at the very least it increases the likelihood gear is plugged into different outlets, and potential ground-loops.

are you using balanced XLR? s/PDIF?

Hi Adam, On 5 March 2012 02:37, Adam<adam707(a)verizon.net> wrote: Behringer UCA-202 (I believe now also comes as UCA-222, I haven't spotted the difference) works. It's not high end, available around £20-25 range and takes in RCA style output from your preamp / receiver. I got one and use it for podcasts. It's one of the most basic and reasonably function-filled (has in-line monitoring etc.) USB sound cards. I use Timemachine to record data from Jack and then edit it later with Audacity if there's need and use Ardour to do the multi-tracking.

There aren't many PCIe sound cards; the cheapest is the Xonar DX, which is slightly above this range when new, but has an excellent ADC. USB devices tend to cost more than comparable cards, but there are stereo recording interfaces where you don't have to pay for 7.1 outputs or a Dolby Digital license. Such devices would be, e.g., the Behringer UCA202 (which is cheap) or the Roland/Cakewalk UA-1G (which is not).

Adam wrote: The UCA202 is a basic 16-bit device, but I'd estimate it to be sufficient for your sources.

Adam wrote: Just to follow up, I've been using the Behringer UCA-202 for a few days now on some of my analog recordings. So far I'm quite happy with it and would recommend it to others looking for an inexpensive (under US $40) but decent way to digitize existing analog recordings. The only "configuration" needed was "set AUDIODEV=hw:1" in the terminal window I'm using for 'rec'. Thanks again for everyone's suggestions, and especially for pointing me toward useful tools I was totally unaware of.

Clemens Ladisch wrote: Thanks, Clemens! I don't care whether the ADC is PCIe or USB, as long as it does what I need at an affordable price. Either interface should still be usable on my next computer system (low-end desktop, probably later this year).

Of the three devices you mention (Xonar DX, Behringer UCA-202, Roland UA-1G), how do they compare in performance? How much of an improvement would the additional cost of the Xonar or Roland offer? It looks like approximate prices (US dollars) are $100 for the Xonar (which includes 7.1 outputs and Dolby licensing that I don't need), $80 for the Roland, and $40 for the Behringer. I assume the ratio of prices would be comparable in other currencies.

On Mon, Mar 05, 2012 at 06:36:09PM +0000, cdr wrote: Should be no problem is the signal is at line level (even 'consumer' line level), your soundcard inputs are balanced and you use the right cables.

If in doubt, check using JAAA.