Arts >> Music >> Digital Music

How to Copy Tracks From an LP and Turntable

Copying the tracks of your favorite vinyl LPs from a turntable to a digital format on your computer is a great way to preserve your music. This is also a very effective means of making the music portable. Fortunately, the copying process does not have to be expensive and requires little more time than the total combined length of each track.

Things You'll Need

  • Vinyl record
  • Turntable
  • Audio receiver or amplifier
  • Computer with sound card or breakout box
  • Ground wire
  • RCA cable
  • RCA-to-TRS connector cable
  • Audio editing or recording software
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Connect the turntable to the amplifier or receiver. Use a ground wire to connect the turntable and amplifier or receiver to prevent noise. Insert one end of the RCA cable into the turntable and the other into the "Phono" or "Line In" port on your amplifier or receiver.

    • 2

      Connect the amplifier or receiver to the computer's sound card. Insert the RCA end of the RCA-to-TRS connector cable into the "Line Out" port on your amplifier or receiver. Connect the TRS end to the "Line In" port on your sound card. You may also connect the receiver to a sound card-enabled breakout box, if you use one, to control audio editing software input.

    • 3

      Cue the record. Make sure it is ready to play your desired track as soon as you start the turntable.

    • 4

      Open a new session in your audio editing or recording software and prepare it to record.

    • 5

      Push "Record" on your audio editing or recording software and play the record immediately after.

    • 6

      Stop the record when the track has finished playing and stop the recording immediately after.

    • 7

      Save the track using your desired audio file format, if your software provides options. Delete any silence at the beginning and end of your recording if you are recording into audio editing software.

    • 8

      Cue the next track and repeat steps 4-7 for each track on your vinyl LP.

Digital Music

Related Categories