Info Wanted: Some questions about converting vinyl records to digital.... — Page 3

What he means by resampling your audio signal, IIRC, is the fact that some amplifiers, especially digital ones, could be actually copying and breaking down analog signals before they make it to the speakers or other outputs/inputs for recording.  It's kinda like what a CD player does when converting the digital information into analog sound when connected via the old school RCA cable.

As far as the "noise"....

You know, the more I think about it, the more I think that I was being too harsh and expecting way too much from an old (but loved) format.  As I said before, it wasn't necessarily audible, but it showed on my level meters on the computer.  I just think the meters in the software are set for pure digital sources, so the "noise" seems to be more pronounced.  I am going to get the kit again, do a few things differently, and get the job done the way I want to do it.  I honestly think the next time I get into it, the results will be worth it.

Of course, I still welcome any input from folks out there that are into this kind of thing.  :)

lol.  I've been spoiled rotten by having a digital receiver--mainly because I love being able to transmit Dolby AC3 and DTS signals to it directly via s/pdif.  Goodbye, forced dynamic range compression, hello 5.1 sound!

For music I suppose your connection type depends what component of the system has the best digital-to-analog conversion, and whether you want to use something like Dolby Prologic II music mode or standard stereo.

Though it may be considered a blasphemy by certain extreme audio snobs, I'm pretty much convinced that digital sound is not inherently inferior to analog as is often maintained.  Most of the perceived shortcomings can be explained through other factors, such as poor quality mastering or mixing, too much unnecessary processing (noise reduction eating up detail, etc), the loudness war robbing the sound of any impact or variation, things along those lines.

But when handled properly, digital sound can be extremely satisfying.  Take 7FN's Star Wars LP transfers for example--a high quality preservation of a great sounding source made in 24/96 (having a high resolution at the start is very important), then converted to 16/44.1 for use on cd's.  The sound didn't suddenly become inferior just because it was digital and not on vinyl anymore--the good condition of the records and the great sounding mix ensures that it retains its excellence in any format.  Or look at anything that Steve Hoffman has mastered--he is able to derive a sound that is actually superior to the LP versions, because he uses the original master tapes, which have the least generation loss, and a dynamic range and EQ that the LP format could not handle, but which digital formats can represent with ease.  And of course, any well-mastered present day recordings (yes, they do exist) are going to sound great.

No, the problem with digital has nothing to do with the qualities of the format itself, but the multitude of tools and possibilities that are available to people who don't have the sense or good taste to know when to use them and when to leave things alone.  There has always been crappy sound and crappy engineering, but present day trends unfortunately exaggerate it.

I realise that was only partially on topic, but I reckon it's something that ought to be said.  ;)

hairy_hen said:

 

... Or look at anything that Steve Hoffman has mastered--he is able to derive a sound that is actually superior to the LP versions...

Having myself done the exact same thing I did for the "Audiophile Edition" with "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" (excepted I've not overlaid the tracks), allow me to say that passage from your post was funny to read. The Polydor once entirely pitch corrected and remastered blows the DCC hands down, if only one or two tracks due to the mixing. Hahaha ! :)

You won't be able to judge the potential of a recording if you ignore the EQ's. IMHO. POTENTIAL!... No matter how it looks to sound at first.

True that.

I think what I am going to do is get the equipment again, record the vinyl, and make it available completely raw.  No processing of any kind, other than the conversion itself of course.  That way, it can be up to the persons that receive it to process it or do what they want.  Then, I will play with the raw files and test different things.  If anything turns out to be a keeper, I will make it available as well, separately.

Unless of course somebody has a better idea for me.  :)

Thanks.  My current sound card is a Rocketfish 5.1 PCI that I installed myself, and I am very pleased with it.  As far as there being any computer noise, fat chance.  I know for absolute certain that any noise registering on the meters came from the turntable and there was no bleed from any computer fans or anything like that.  I am pretty much convinced that I can tackle this again when I get the equipment in a few months.  I will be providing samples of the raw data for you to listen to, then if any changes need to be made, I will go from there.  I figure between my knowledge and input from you folks that have done this, the end result will be great.

This is probably unlikely to be a concern with your setup, but I've seen real life cases where noise was reduced by recording on a laptop running on battery power, rather than plugged in to the mains.

DE

Wow.  Yeah, I can see how that would help in some situations.

Wow, look what showed up on eBay:

I will also be getting a direct drive turntable next time.

Unless the turntable had a built in preamp.

Really?  I've always heard that direct drive was preferred.  Even when I worked in a music store back in the day, DJ's and enthusiasts alike preferred it.

I don't really care about it and I wasn't planning on adding it to the project, but would anyone be interested in a vinyl recording of the TPM soundtrack?  It was the last Star Wars recording to get the vinyl treatment and I have it in my collection, so I thought I'd ask.

Whoops, having browser trouble....

I would rather have more stable pitch as well.

Damn, apparently this forum doesn't like IE 9.

Yeah, I prefer to have control over the pitch for the same reason.  I haven't had a turntable that I couldn't adjust since I was a kid.

I finally received my factory sealed Star Wars LP the other day, but I'm curious about a sticker on the shrinkwrap in the top left corner.  It reads 8666 H NDC.

Web searches have been fruitless.  Any ideas?