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Topic: USB input or Mic-In (Read 8636 times) previous topic - next topic
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USB input or Mic-In

One last thing for me to decide before I start needledropping. (Some background can be found in this thread.)

For my own tin ears the SONY USB turntable I bought (too costly to fix my old Dual/Stanton) will be fine. I remain uncertain over which to use. USB captures a tremendous amount of background noise (grounding issue - no ground cable) but is easily deleted with Adobe CS4 Soundbooth. I have also tried my laptops's Mic-in (from ONKYO amp/receiver). I'm wondering, in most cases, which should be the best: USB or the Mic-in. I gave up on googling as it seemed like every hit dealt with USB microphones! There is no chance of a desktop/sound card option.

Thanks for any input.

USB input or Mic-In

Reply #1 –
You'll probably need to experiment and judge for yourself which method works best.  It's great that the noise reduction is working so well for you!  (Usually, noise reduction works best when you have a tiny bit of background noise...  when you don't really need the noise reduction...)

I don't know why you're getting excessive noise from the USB input unlesss the turntable's built-in preamp is noisy.  I would have expected the USB to work better than the mic input...

The main issue with the microphone input is that you'll generally have a level mismatch (too much gain) and added noise from the computer's mic preamp.

If your laptop has an audio configuration utility, check to see if you can re-configure the input for either mic or line-level.

Another option would be to get an external USB soundcard.

USB input or Mic-In

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
Another option would be to get an external USB soundcard.

Didn't know such a thing existed. Thanks.

And, thanks for taking the time and the other good information. As I'm ripping only for myself and my equally tin-eared wife, your advice to "judge" for myself is good. As a matter of fact, the sequence of events was: Record through USB. Saying "Yuck" when I hear all the noise. Saying "Damn" when I have to go through setting it up with my stereo system. Recording through the Mic-in. Being happy enough until I listen to one tune with just vocal and acoustic guitar - sounds reverb-ery/echo-ey but otherwise actually acceptable enough to keep it going. Remembering that I have a legit copy of Soundbooth and mess around with it. Editing out the background noise is easy and result is, to my ears, better than the reverb-ery/echo-ey Mic-in.

Again, thanks!

USB input or Mic-In

Reply #3 –
Quote from: tim.lance on
For my own tin ears the SONY USB turntable I bought (too costly to fix my old Dual/Stanton) will be fine. I remain uncertain over which to use. USB captures a tremendous amount of background noise (grounding issue - no ground cable)


This just isn't right. One of the major potential advantages of digital inputs is that they tend to avoid grounding issues.

What's the nature of the noise - hiss or hum or what?

Quote
but is easily deleted with Adobe CS4 Soundbooth.


I've done a lot with removing hum and noise from various recordings over the years, but there's no way to remove noise without adversely affecting sound quality.  In the case of a transcription from a turntable, the only significant source of noise should be the vinyl itself.

Quote
I have also tried my laptops's Mic-in (from ONKYO amp/receiver).


Laptop mic ins are usually mono. Some have auto-switching inputs that can tell the difference between a mic and many line input cables. Unless you have a laptop with a separate line input or an auto-swtiching input, using the mic input is a disaster waiting to happen.  If its a line input, then it should be about as good as the USB from the turntable.

Quote
I'm wondering, in most cases, which should be the best: USB or the Mic-in. I gave up on googling as it seemed like every hit dealt with USB microphones! There is no chance of a desktop/sound card option.


One option is to use an external USB or Firewire audio interface. For example, I have a Presonus Inspire 1394 that I picked up from Musican's friend for under $100 shipped. It seems to have a properly equalized RIAA input. I have a laptop with a FW port, so I'm going to give it a try. Other options that are kicking around are the Behringer UCA-0202  USB interface with RCA line inputs and outputs for under $40, and the eMu 0202 with balanced line inputs and outputs for under $80 if you catch a good sale.

USB input or Mic-In

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Arnold B. Krueger on
Quote from: tim.lance on
For my own tin ears the SONY USB turntable I bought (too costly to fix my old Dual/Stanton) will be fine. I remain uncertain over which to use. USB captures a tremendous amount of background noise (grounding issue - no ground cable)


This just isn't right. One of the major potential advantages of digital inputs is that they tend to avoid grounding issues.

What's the nature of the noise - hiss or hum or what?

Quote
but is easily deleted with Adobe CS4 Soundbooth.


I've done a lot with removing hum and noise from various recordings over the years, but there's no way to remove noise without adversely affecting sound quality.  In the case of a transcription from a turntable, the only significant source of noise should be the vinyl itself.

Quote
I have also tried my laptops's Mic-in (from ONKYO amp/receiver).


Laptop mic ins are usually mono. Some have auto-switching inputs that can tell the difference between a mic and many line input cables. Unless you have a laptop with a separate line input or an auto-swtiching input, using the mic input is a disaster waiting to happen.  If its a line input, then it should be about as good as the USB from the turntable.

Quote
I'm wondering, in most cases, which should be the best: USB or the Mic-in. I gave up on googling as it seemed like every hit dealt with USB microphones! There is no chance of a desktop/sound card option.


One option is to use an external USB or Firewire audio interface. For example, I have a Presonus Inspire 1394 that I picked up from Musican's friend for under $100 shipped. It seems to have a properly equalized RIAA input. I have a laptop with a FW port, so I'm going to give it a try. Other options that are kicking around are the Behringer UCA-0202  USB interface with RCA line inputs and outputs for under $40, and the eMu 0202 with balanced line inputs and outputs for under $80 if you catch a good sale.


Thanks, Arnold. The noise is a loud hum. It has been mentioned in a couple reviews of the unit. I Have only been doing rock but one tune was just a quiet acoustic guitar and soft vocal. I couldn't hear anything amiss - not to say others wouldn't. I'll certainly be on the lookout.

I hadn't know about the mono possibility. Will check.

After screwing around for several days I finally got serious last night and did an entire LP (using USB subtracting hum). I am very happy. My wife who has much better ears and knew the LP well (but otherwise has little taste!) liked it.

Thanks again.

USB input or Mic-In

Reply #5 –
In case you are still considering alternatives, you might try this:
http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?ty...at=9&id=128

It can currently be had from Amazon for ~$75.  I've used this myself and I love it.

It is essentially a USB sound card with a built in phono preamp.  It can be configured for line-in as well.  You could connect your Sony USB turntable's RCA cables to the input of this and record.  I have absolutely no issues with hum with this device.

BTW, it works with Vista though they don't claim vista support.  I use it with my laptop which is running Vista.

USB input or Mic-In

Reply #6 –
Quote from: maggior on
In case you are still considering alternatives, you might try this:
http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?ty...at=9&id=128

It can currently be had from Amazon for ~$75.  I've used this myself and I love it.

It is essentially a USB sound card with a built in phono preamp.  It can be configured for line-in as well.  You could connect your Sony USB turntable's RCA cables to the input of this and record.  I have absolutely no issues with hum with this device.

BTW, it works with Vista though they don't claim vista support.  I use it with my laptop which is running Vista.

Thanks, maggior. They do now claim Vista, as well as all Mac OS X, but oddly, no *NIX.

USB input or Mic-In

Reply #7 –
Quote from: tim.lance on
Thanks, maggior. They do now claim Vista, as well as all Mac OS X, but oddly, no *NIX.


You're welcome!

I've used it to playback audio on Linux, but I have not done any recording on Linux.  I don't see why that wouldn't work.