Showing posts with label lp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lp. Show all posts

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Numark PT01 Portable DJ Turntable Review

Numark PT01 Portable DJ Turntable
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this turntable to a) replace an older turntable from the 70s and which weighs more than me, for which new needles cost 30-40 bucks, and b) to transfer old 78s into digital files for a podcast. It's one of the few turntables that I found with both a built-in speaker AND audio out ports, in both RCA and headphone cable form. Usually, I found ones with either one or the other. It's lightweight, it has excellent sound quality, much more tone and pitch control than you'd ever expect in a 100 dollar turntable, and the new needles cost only 12 bucks. I could not find where to buy the needles online, so after contacting Numark, I discovered that they would sell them to me directly for only 12 bucks each (even if it involved giving out my CC# via eMail). Being a very new turntable, I don't expect it to be phased out anytime soon, so the needles should remain cheap for a while.
Perhaps the only thing I would change is the fact that the table only starts spinning once you move the arm over it - there is no 'start spinning' button beyond the on/off switch. Also, there have been a few times when I accidentally dropped the stylus onto the metal surface and it's left a visible gouge, and I can't help but think that this kind of thing should have been somehow protected against.
I'm not a hardcore audiophile. I don't know the difference between the sonic clarity of a CD and an mp3, and honestly, if it sounds full, that's good enough for me, but this was incredibly simple to set up and plays excellently, and pretty solid (if mostly plastic).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Numark PT01 Portable DJ Turntable

Numark has created a portable turntable that enables you to convert your vinyl to WAV or MP3. This rugged, portable turntable can run on either wall or battery power, comes with a cover with integrated carry-handle, and has an internal speaker for total mobility.
Using the included recording software, no special drivers are needed to connect PT-01USB to any Mac or PC via USB and transfer music from vinyl to hard disk. EZ Vinyl Converter 2 (PC) and EZ Audio Converter (Mac) software are included to make recording and importing audio simple. EZ Vinyl Converter 2 imports your songs directly into your iTunes library, automatically separating tracks, and free, downloadable upgrade includes Gracenote® MusicID, which can even automatically name your tracks. PT-01USB also comes with Audacity software for editing your tracks. Audacity also helps reduce clicks, pops, and other noises from your recordings to restore the full quality of your vinyl. PT-01USB has an RCA line input so you can connect other sound sources such as tape decks and convert them to digital files too! RCA line outputs enable connection to your DJ system or home stereo so you can use PT-01USB as a standard record-player. In addition to the internal speaker and RCA outputs, you can also listen with headphones. With 33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds, PT-01USB works with your entire record collection. There's even a ±10% pitch control to help you optimize your tracks for whatever need you have. Advanced vinyl-to-digital conversion that's ready to roll when and where you are: PT-01USB. PT-01USB AVAILABIILITY PT-01USB has a suggested U.S. retail price of $149 and is available immediately from DJ and Pro Audio retailers. PT-01USB FEATURES
Plugand play USB connection Protectivedustcover and integrated carrying handle Fitsinside a standard 12-inch record case Wall-poweredwith included AC adapter or battery-powered (six "D" cells, notincluded) Internalmonitoring speaker Belt-drivemotor with 33, 45 and 78 RPM settings ±10%pitch control Convertsall standard-sized records up to 12-inches RCAline and headphone outputs 45RPM adapter included Cartridgeincluded USBcable included
PT-01USB: WHAT’S IN THE BOX
PT-01USBturntable Protectivecover Poweradapter USBcable SoftwareCD Quickstart guide


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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Audio Technica AT-LP2D-USB Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable with USB Output, Includes Recording Software and Dual Magnet Cartridge Review

Audio Technica AT-LP2D-USB Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable with USB Output, Includes Recording Software and Dual Magnet Cartridge
Average Reviews:

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First, I'm not sure if the previous reviewer had his sound card input set correctly, or if he forgot to switch this turntable's pre-amp switch to the correct setting, but mine sounded great. Also, I elected to use the RCA output on this and not the USB... maybe he was having audio-quality problems with the USB part? Many users seem to have an issue with static and otherwise poor audio when using the USB connection. Instead, I suggest using the RCA output on this unit connected to your PC's audio-in jack for the best sound quality. Please read on...
I've never even owned any LPs before, but I recently got a real craving for some mixes that only appeared on DJ-only LPs. So I purchased a few, along with this turntable so I can rip them into MP3s.
Everything arrived on the same day, so I was like a kid in a candy store. All I can say is HOORAY!
There are two versions of this Audio-Technica turntable... one has USB capabilities, and the other (which is a bit less expensive) does not. However, even with the USB output, there are also good old RCA outputs on this turntable. The turntable also comes with two RCA to stereo 3.5mm mini-plug adapters: one male adapter (for connecting to stereos, powered speakers, or a mixer with 3.5mm mini jack inputs), and one female adapter (for connecting to amplified speakers or other devices with a mini-plug). Basically, you can connect this turntable to almost anything without having to go out and purchase additional cables or adapters.
The unit has three buttons on the front: start, stop, and up/down. I'm sure you can guess what each of these does. This is an automatic turntable, so the arm is controlled by the buttons (no need to manually lift and place the needle back down).
The turntable also has a pre-amp switch, for either "line" or "phono" output. This way, you can connect it to most devices, whether they have an amplifier or not.
The setup of the turntable itself is pretty easy. Follow the instructions to easily place the platter onto the turntable and pull the drive belt onto the motor spindle (illustrations are included).
I elected to connect the RCA cables to one of the adapters, and connected that to the "line-in" mini-jack input on my digital sound card. Technically, I didn't need to purchase this more-expensive USB version of the turntable since I am not using the USB output, but that's beside the point :)
There are two CDs included in the package: one for Cakewalk Pyro 2004/2005 (commercial software), and one for Audacity (open source software). Cakewalk Pyro is NOT compatible with Windows Vista, so I installed Audacity (check their website for newer versions if desired).
After installing Audacity, I selected my input source ("line-in"), put the first LP on, and heard exactly what I was hoping to hear... high quality music and sound. So I restarted the LP, hit the record button in Audacity, and waiting for the song to finish. Then I hit the "stop" button in Audacity to stop recording, quickly and easily trimmed a bit of the dead space before and after the song, and exported it to a high-quality, high bit-rate MP3.
For the money, I couldn't have asked for anything better. Everything sounds crystal clear, and couldn't be easier. I highly recommend this product. If you have a line-in jack on your sound card (which most do), and would like to use that, save yourself a few bucks and go with the model that doesn't have the USB output. I'm not sure if the other model comes with a CD for Audacity (maybe only Pyro), but Audacity is an open-source free download on the web anyway. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
Happy ripping! :)
The non-USB version of this turntable appears here:
Audio-Technica AT-LP2DA LP-to-Digital Recording System

Click Here to see more reviews about: Audio Technica AT-LP2D-USB Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable with USB Output, Includes Recording Software and Dual Magnet Cartridge

Get your classic albums off the shelf and into your MP3 player.Audio-Technica makes it easier than ever to transfer your albums to the digital realm with this new AT-LP2D-USB recording system. The AT-LP2D-USB stereo turntable comes equipped with a USB output that allows direct connection to your computer. The system also offers: state-of-the-art recording software—Cakewalk (for PC use) and Audacity (for MAC or PC); an integral dual-magnet Audio-Technica phono cartridge; and a USB cable and adapter cables. The turntable also features a built-in switchable phono/line preamp that allows connection to a stereo system equipped with either a phono or line-level input.

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Friday, April 20, 2012

Numark TTX Professional Turntable Review

Numark TTX Professional Turntable
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These are great decks, and certainly hold their own against the industry standards. I've also got a pair of Technics (SL-1200M3D) that I've had for years. No complaints with those, of course, but I picked up the TTX1s so I could have a pair set up battle-style and more suited for scratching (straight tonearm, etc.).
Right out of the box, I could see that these were well-made turntables. The construction is quite solid. I believe they even weigh in slightly heavier than the 1200s.
For the price of these, the range of features is amazing. Here are some of them:
Selectable pitch control range (+/- 8%, 10%, 20% and 50%) - I tend to stick with +/- 8 because that's what I'm used to with the Technics, but for the occasional crazy mix, it's nice to have the option of greater range. The turntable also has a key lock feature, which allows you to adjust the tempo while the pitch stays the same. This is a very cool feature that CD DJs enjoy, so having it available for vinyl is fantastic.
Interchangeable tonearm - The tables come with both a straight and an S-shaped tonearm. They are very easy to switch out, but to be honest, I don't find myself changing them a lot. I just stick with the straight configuration, but for someone who might be using these for both turntablism and conventional DJing, the ability to switch would be great.
Designed for battle-style use - For those who like to work battle-style (the turntable positioned so the tonearm is in back rather than on the right side), the TTX1 is designed to easily accommodate that preference. As you can see from the photo, there are two start/stop buttons, so regardless of which way you have it turned, there will always be a button right where you're used to having it. Also, the pitch slider module and the RPM selection buttons module are interchangeable, so you can position the pitch slider to move up and down while in battle configuration (rather than having to adjust the pitch left to right). When you switch these controls, the LCD display automatically rotates so all of the info is still easily readable; a very nice touch.
Adjustable torque - Two thumbwheels on the turntable allow you to adjust the torque of the platter as well as the braking force. Compare this to the Technics, where you had to take the turntable apart and adjust some potentiometers with a small screwdriver. While on the subject of torque, I should mention that the TTX1 is insane in that department. The motor is quite noticeably more powerful than that of the Technics, and the start/stop times are phenomenal.
Output options - The TTX1 allows for three output configurations. You can output a phono-level signal (like most other turntables). This tends to be the cleanest signal because it's more or less a straight connection to the cartridge without going through the signal processor. The turntable also has line-level outputs (more like a CD player). These go through the internal signal processor to enable effects like the pitch lock feature. I have mine set up like this, and cannot discern any degradation in sound quality from the phono configuration. The third option is a digital (S/PDIF) output for use with a digital mixer or a direct connection to your computer.
I am hard-pressed to find anything bad to say about this product. There are a few minor things, but they're not big concerns. Here are the cons:
The left side of the turntable has a curve to it, which would make the turntable difficult to fit into a standard coffin case, if that was your preference.
The 45 adapter that comes with these is a light plastic thing, so I tend to use the solid metal ones that came with my 1200s. There's no place on the turntable to store the adapter, which isn't too big of a deal, since most people won't be spinning a lot of 7" 45s these days anyhow.
The turntable doesn't include a shell (dust cover). The TTX1 isn't really designed to sit on top of your home stereo anyway, so that omission isn't a big concern.
Overall, this is a fantastic turntable, and well deserving of the five stars I'm giving it. It's worthy to stand up there with the great decks from Technics and Vestax. I'm quite confident that these will give me many years of reliable use, just as I've come to expect from my 1200s.
One final note: As of this writing, the product photo here on Amazon depicts the TT1600, and not the TTX1. To see what the LCD and other cool features look like, check out the Numark web site for the correct photo (they call it the TTX, and not the TTX1).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Numark TTX Professional Turntable

The result of extensive research into the needs of professional DJs, the TTX1 deftly combines unmatched torque, incredible precision, and the world's first interchangeable tonearm design for optimal performance under all conditions. The turntable is sleek and attractive, with an ergonomic housing that weighs a hefty 28.6 pounds and accommodates the requirements of both beat mixing and scratching setups. It's specifically built with a solid core to fight vibration and unwanted noise while employing an anti-drag aluminum platter to reduce friction. The platter also boasts a quick-start setting with 6.2 lbs./inch of torque, though the start can be adjusted, as can the brake system.
It's the tonearm assembly that really shines, however. The tonearm is made from die-cast aluminum and is compatible with both S-shaped and straight tubes. DJs can use an S-shaped tube in conventional mode to mix and blend tracks, or they can turn the deck 90 degrees and attach the straight arm for scratching and battling. The latter setting is made more user-friendly by the beveled left-hand edge and the pair of stop/start buttons. Users can also swap the pitch fader with the control buttons for further accessibility.
DJs will delight in the backlit LCD display, which not only informs them of the motor's direction, but also includes tidbits such as the platter speed, pitch adjustment, key lock status (which changes song tempo without affecting the key), and beats per minute. Speaking of turntable speeds and pitch control, the TTX1 supports 33-1/3, 45, and 78 rpm vinyl and toggles between a pitch range of +/- 8, 10, 20, and 50 percent, allowing the DJ to mix endlessly with few restrictions. Additional features include switchable phono and line outputs, an S/PDIF output for digital devices, and an illuminated output bay. The assembly measures 18.1 by 5.3 by 14.6 inches (W x H x D) and carries a two-year warranty.
What's in the Box TTX1 turntable, right-angle IEC power cord, right-angle RCA cord, S-shaped tonearm tube, straight tonearm tube, phono cartridge, warranty card, user's manual.

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Numark CX-1 Tony Touch Signature Model Review

Numark CX-1 Tony Touch Signature Model
Average Reviews:

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this is a great product the best sound i ever heard playing my olds LP, i ordered for my numark TT1650 and it fits perfect i really recomend this product

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THE TONY TOUCH SIGNATURE MODEL, OPTIMIZED FOR SCRATCH AND BATTLE DURABILITY

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Monday, February 6, 2012

ION Audio Profile Pro USB DJ Turntable (Non Factory Sealed) Review

ION Audio Profile Pro USB DJ Turntable (Non Factory Sealed)
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Rec'd this turntable for christmas and haven't stopped using it. It does exactly what it was made to do, convert vinyl to mp3s or cds. I don't understand why someone would buy this item to be used as a turntable to listen to their records. The product is a USB turntable to Convert. Oh well, the only part I wasn't thrilled with was having to download itunes software. The "ez vinyl" that comes with this transfers the recorded media to itunes. Not a problem, I just dragged and dropped to windows media player and either burned cds or sync to my mp3 player (it is not an ipod). The additional software in the box, "audacity" took out the clicks and cracks without much work on my part. You can also convert 78's with the audacity software.
This item looks great (with it's smooth black piano finish) and so far has done a wonderful job. I can finally get some real oldies transfered to my mp3 player. I can honestly say this is the best gift I rec'd this year and recommend it highly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ION Audio Profile Pro USB DJ Turntable (Non Factory Sealed)

The ION Audio Profile Pro is a USB turntable with a line input with contemporary, low-profile looks and a sleek, piano black finish. The Profile Pro turntable is designed to capture the music from your vinyl records and turn it into portable, flexible, digital MP3s that you can enjoy at home and on the go. ION Audio Profile Pro USB Turntable Features Turn your records into MP3s using your Mac or PC Connect and convert other music sources via line input Play records on your home stereo without needing a preamplifier Plug-and-play USB computer connection requires no driver installation 33 1/3 and 45 RPM settings Enables you to transfer 78 RPM albums using included software EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software quickly transfers your music to iTunes Audacity software for reducing pops, cracks and hiss on worn records Stereo 1/8 inch input for connecting other music sources The Profile Pro turntable is an music-conversion system based on a multi-speed USB turntable with a dust cover. The turntable has simple USB output that enables you to capture music from records onto your computer. ION's EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software assists you in creation of flexible MP3 files you can listen to on your computer, load onto your iPod, or record to CD. Profile Pro also has a line input so you can plug in virtually any other music source and turn it into MP3s - tape decks, MiniDiscs, and most any other format. When not converting records, you can also enjoy your classic vinyl records using PROFILE PRO as a standard record player. ION Audio Profile Pro Includes Profile Pro turntable Slipmat 45 RPM adapter USB cable CD Quickstart Guide Safety Ins

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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Stanton 500.V3 Spherical DJ Standard Turntable Cartridges, Twin Pack Review

Stanton 500.V3 Spherical DJ Standard Turntable Cartridges, Twin Pack
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thanks amazon fast shipping and the stanton 500.v3 twin 500 v3 cartrige with stylus works perfect on my ion turntable great sound quality the stanton headshell mounted very easy thanks guys you saved me alot of money verses buying thru stanton and better quality than what came with turntable

Click Here to see more reviews about: Stanton 500.V3 Spherical DJ Standard Turntable Cartridges, Twin Pack

Industry standard pair of spherical cartridges ideal for almost any application.

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Monday, September 5, 2011

Behringer UFO202 Audio Interface Review

Behringer UFO202 Audio Interface
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Over last few years we replaced all desktops in the house by laptops. One day I decided to convert an old audio cassette into MP3 like I used to do on my desktop. I realized that it was not going to be possible as the 'line-in' input which was available on desktop was missing in all the three laptops in the house. After some futile tries of trying to record through mic-in, I started researching. I somehow stumbled upon this device and decided to give it a try. All I can say is this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Here is what you need to do if you wish to convert audio cassette into MP3 -
You need -
1. Audio cable with one end 3.5 mm jack and other end with red & white L-R audio. You may have a spare A/V cable which comes with camera or dvd players etc. (W R and Yellow ends, you do not need to plug the Y end as it is for video)
(With 'line-in' on desktop, you simply needed an audio cable with 3.5 mm on both sides)
2. Boom box or tape deck (I used boom box)
3. U-Phono202 device
Plug the 3.5mm end of the cable in 'headphone out' of the boom box. Plug the L-R inputs in the L-R inputs of the U-Phono202 and plug it into a USB port of the laptop. Play the audio cassette. You cannot hear the sound through laptop speakers, you have to plug in the headphones in 'headphone out' of the U-Phno202 in order to hear the cassette playing.
If you are using Vista, right click on the speaker icon in the bottom tray and select 'recording devices', change the recording device to the '2USB Audio Codec' (at least that's how it shows up on mine).
I haven't yet used the packaged software. I useed Audacity instead. Open (or download if you have not) Audacity. Go to 'project', select 'new stereo track' and hit record. Whatever is playing on your boombox is now being recorded on your laptop. Hit stop when your recording is done. Export the project as 'Mp3', save it in your desired location.
I suggest making some few minute test recordings to make sure your recording sounds fine or you need to reduce/increase recording volume etc.
It worked exactly as above for me and worked perfectly too. The boombox gave a terrible hiss and an extremely annoying constant background noise while playing the cassette, however the U-Phono202 filtered almost 99% of it and the final MP3 sounds extremely clean.
I wrote detailed review as I had all these questions in my mind before I began searching for the right product. Hope this helps in case you are also looking for a solution to convert your cassettes to Mp3s. Thanks for reading.
UPDATE : UPhono202 is working perfectly fine! Just wanted to mention that if your recording appears over loud and there is jarring even after reducing boom box volume and the PC volume very low, here is what you shall do - Keep the boombox and computer volumes at decent levels but reduce the microphone input 'level' - Rightclick on the speaker icon in the tray. highlight the Uphono device. Click on properties. Select 'levels' tab and reduce the level all the way to 5 or 7 and then record your clip.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Behringer UFO202 Audio Interface

High-quality USB Audio Interface with Built-in Phono Preamp and Massive Software Package for Digitalizing Your Tapes and Vinyl Records

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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Numark CC1RS Stylus Review

Numark CC1RS Stylus
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I've been using this needle with my stanton t-62 turntable to listen to my record collection for about a year now. The difference is easily noticeable in comparison to other needle's I've used, and, overall, sound quality is superb.

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Replacement stylus for the CC-1 Cartridge. Sold individually.

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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Stanton 500.V3 500 V3 Cartridge (Single) Review

Stanton 500.V3 500 V3 Cartridge (Single)
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I was looking for a new cartridge/stylus that would be affordable, easy to work with, and which would sound good. Upon ordering, I wondered if this would be the road to disappointment. I got my cartridge in the mail, hooked it up, and it is a great improvement on what I'd been using for years. I am so glad I got this. I played a record which sounded unlistenable previously, due to radial scratches, and it sounded just fine, whereas before it sounded like a defective record. So, just there I got my money's worth. I cannot speak for the so called audiophiles, but for me this is excellent!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Stanton 500.V3 500 V3 Cartridge (Single)

Industry standard single spherical cartridge ideal for almost any application.

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Shure Whitelabel N-WHLB Replacement Stylus Review

Shure Whitelabel N-WHLB Replacement Stylus
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Surely one of the best needles on the market. Extremely versitle from scratching to just plain old mixing. Great sound and affordable too!

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Shure N-WHLB Dj Stylus for WHLB Cartridge - Shure NWHLB

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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Stanton T55USB USB Belt-Drive DJ Turntable with 500.v3 Cartridge Review

Stanton T55USB USB Belt-Drive DJ Turntable with 500.v3 Cartridge
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I reviewed a number of turntables and decided on this one. It was a good choice. The delivery was on time and it did not take very long to set it up. I chose to use the line-in mode as I have a good soundcard on the PC and prefer not to burden it with extra USB drivers if it is not necessary. Based on reading the reviews, I had already downloaded the latest Audacity and played with it a little bit so there was nothing extra to do with that. The overall turntable setup took about 30 minutes including balancing the stylus.
My first run-through was just setting it up and playing an album to see how it operates. I didn't initially get a cleaning kit and soon discovered (relearning lessons from many, many years ago) one is absolutely needed. The last time I had a turntable was when any albums I purchased I kept protected and cleaned etc. The album I chose (One that was never put to CD and had to find it online) was produced back in the 80s (and therefore used). It was not in 'mint' condition so it had a number of 'pops' and 'clicks' on it. The cleaner took most of them out. Audacity was able to cleanup what was left except for a couple of songs.
I won't go into too much other detail about recording the album to the PC as this review is about the turntable. I will say it was worth searching the net for information on using Audacity and what is recommended etc.
I have had the turntable about a month now and have run through a number of albums at different times. I do like the pitch adjustment as the turntable has a built in strobe so you can keep the speed accurate. There has been no problems with the turntable and it seems to be the same reliable type of turntable I experienced from Stanton 'back in the day'. Only this time I can feed it directly into the PC. I like that.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Stanton T55USB USB Belt-Drive DJ Turntable with 500.v3 Cartridge

The T.55 USB is a great all-around belt drive turntable that also features USB and RCA outputs so you can easily use the deck to transfer the music on your vinyl records onto your PC or Mac to create music files for use with CDs or MP3 players such as iPod. To make things even simpler, Stanton has included the software you can use to transfer and edit the music files, so you can remove any pops and clicks that are common when playing vinyls. The T.55 USB also comes with the professional Stanton 500.v3 cartridge for ideal sound quality and perfect compatibility. Not just a tool for vinyl transfer, this deck is also a perfect fit for the novice or intermediate level DJ.

Professional Belt-Drive Turntable The T.52 USB is an easy to operate belt-drive turntable with two playback speeds (33 and 45 RPM).
A pitch control fader lets you change the tempo/pitch with a range of plus or minus 10 percent. Two start/stop switches are also included for battle or mix setups.
The straight tone arm improves tracking, which is ideal for scratching, and the audiophile-quality Stanton 500.v3 cartridge provides crystal-clear playback.
Output Options The T.52 USB features standard RCA stereo outputs, along with a USB output, ideal for easy transfer of your vinyl to your Mac or PC. The package includes software for transferring and editing your music files.
Cakewalk pyro Audio Creator LE Included pyro Audio Creator LE combines all the essential audio tools needed in today's digital age in one fast and easy-to-use program. With pyro Audio Creator's virtual toolbox, you are just a click away from recording & editing audio; burning & ripping CDs; converting and cleaning albums to CD or MP3; and encoding, tagging & organizing your sound library. If you care about your audio, there is no better choice than pyro Audio Creator LE.
What's in the Box T.52 USB Turntable, RCA Cables, Slip Mat, USB Cable, Dust Cover, Software, User's Manual

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Stanton T92USB USB Direct Drive DJ Turntable Review

Stanton T92USB USB Direct Drive DJ Turntable
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The Stanton T92 is a solid built and excellent performing turntable. I bought it for converting my vinyl records to mp3 format and it works perfectly for that task. It comes with a Stanton 500.v3 cartridge which works very well for 33 and 45 rpm records. If you are going to record 78 records you will need to purchase an additional cartridge that is made specifically for use with 78 records. A hard acrylic dust cover would be the one thing I would like to see added to this already fine product.
In previous reviews of Stanton USB turntables, many have complained about not being able to hear the audio as it is recorded on the computer. If your equipment and software are configured properly, you can hear the audio as it is being captured.
My setup for recording is as follows:
1) The T92 is connected to the computer via the provided USB cable.
2) The computer soundcard Line Out jack is connected to a set of powered stereo speakers.
3) I use the free download of Audacity 1.2.6 available at [...] for capturing the recording. Be sure to set the Preferences in Audacity as follows:
- Playback Device: The computer's soundcard.
- Recording Device: USB Audio Codec - Input
- Check the "Software Play Through" box. (This is what allows you to hear the audio as you record it).
With this configuration you will be able hear the audio as you record it. The switchable Phono Out/Line Out capability also allows you to connect the turntable to your home stereo system when not using it with the computer for audio capture.
All-in-all a great flexible use turntable.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Stanton T92USB USB Direct Drive DJ Turntable

The T.92 USB is a direct-drive professional turntable with built-in USB connectivity. The USB port and supplied software make it easier than ever to digitalize vinyl recordings. With features such as key lock and a pitch range of plus or minus 12%, the T.92 USB effortlessly fits in with a regular DJ setup.

Professional Quality Turntable The T.92 USB is a sturdy, professional quality turntable, with a high-torque, direct-drive motor. The standard three playback speeds (33, 45, and 78 RPM) are available, along with two start/stop switches for mix or battle setup.
A pitch control fader with DSP key lock lets you change the tempo without affecting pitch, and the pitch range is selectable--either 8 or 12 percent. Quartz lock lets you bypass the pitch control for unaffected playback speeds.
An S-shaped tone arm delivers superior fidelity with low distortion, and comes coupled with an audiophile-quality Stanton 500v3 cartridge mounted and ready to go.
Output Options The T.92 USB features standard RCA stereo outputs, which are phono/line switchable to accommodate your setup.
USB and S/PDIF outputs are also provided, ideal for easy transfer of your vinyl to your Mac or PC. The package includes software for transferring and editing your music files.
Cakewalk pyro Audio Creator LE Included pyro Audio Creator LE combines all the essential audio tools needed in today's digital age in one fast and easy-to-use program. With pyro Audio Creator's virtual toolbox, you are just a click away from recording & editing audio; burning & ripping CDs; converting and cleaning albums to CD or MP3; and encoding, tagging & organizing your sound library. If you care about your audio, there is no better choice than pyro Audio Creator LE.
What's in the Box T.92 USB Turntable, RCA Cables, Slip Mat, USB Cable, Dust Cover, Software, User's Manual

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Click here for more information about Stanton T92USB USB Direct Drive DJ Turntable

Monday, March 21, 2011

Numark TTUSB Turntable with USB Review

Numark TTUSB Turntable with USB
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I've been looking for a way to easily convert the old vinyl to iPod-ready MP3s. A bunch of my old LPs will never see the light of a CD so this looked like a great, one-step way of digitizing the old, round, black things with all the grooves.
Backstory: I'm a Mac guy, and I've worked with and taught audio production for a number of years so I more or less know my way around the audio world. That said...
This works quite well, but has a few limitations. Out of the box it plugged right in via the USB port and it also has stereo RCA jacks (such as would plug into the back of your tuner/amp) on the back. Drawback #1 is that the RCA jacks are hard-wired into the base of the turntable so if you don't use them (and are using the USB connector) there's no way to get rid of them. They dangle. This _could_ be causing a problem and I'll address that in a moment.
The turntable worked great, though I"m not sure why they put a pitch control on it if there's no strobe light to verify the speed of the unit. Sort of like putting a tachometer on a car with an automatic transmission. Why?
Beyond that, it has two speeds, 33 and 45 (with adapter) and the LPs sounded OK on the speed. If you are wanting to digitize your old 78s, you can record them at 33 and use the software (see below) to get them to the right speed.
Drawback #2: No tonearm cueing lever so you are manually dropping the arm onto the vinyl disk. Don't drink a lot of coffee before you cue your records, especially since it has a counterweight adjustment on the tonearm that make the tonearm almost wightless. It really tough (even without coffee) to drop that ultra-light arm onto the vinyl without bounce and shake. Be careful...
The audio processing software that ships with the unit is "Audacity," an open-source freeware that you can also download from the Web. If you are using an Intel Mac, make sure you download the new version, as the Mac software supplied on the disk is out of date. PeeCee users with Win2000 and XP should be ready to go. You can also use it with most other audio processing software apps.
Audacity software is a bit clunky, but it works OK for this task. I've used it for a number of years so I felt at home with it. If you are new to it you may not be comfortable with it for a while. But it does a good job and you can easily fix clicks, pops, and vinyl noise with the software. To make the final export to MP3 you also need to download MP3 conversion software (LAME...that's an MP3 encoder, not an opinion...and it's also free), as it's not part of Audacity. No biggie. Once it's downloaded and you link it once so Audacity can find it, you're done and it's forever invisible.
Drawback #3: There seems to be a very, very faint hum through the USB connection and I can't find the source. It may be a grounding issue but there is no grounding connection on this, a basically plasitc body and base. You don't notice the hum during the music, but if you listen it's there in the silence between the tracks. It may also come from those dangling RCA cables that you can't unhook. Until I can isolate and eliminate the hum, I'm just editing out the noise between the tracks with the Audacity "generate silence" command. Again, no biggie, but it's an extra step.
Once you've captured an entire side of a vinyl, you add "markers" to the recorded track to indicate the track breaks, hit Audacity's "Export Multiple" command, select MP3 (assuming you have downloaded the LAME software) and your ready for iTunes. It's slick.
Overall: The turntable works very well for my needs. A serious audiophile may scoff at it and be displeased with the minor hum problem or the lack of a cueing lever, but hey, the price is right. I'd give it a Five-Star rating if it had a cueing lever, detatchable RCA cables, and no faint hum between the tracks.

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The TTUSB is a unique, plug and play, USB compatible turntable that makes digitizing your vinyl record collection to your PC or Mac a snap. Packaged with all the necessary cables to connect with a computer or stereo playback system, along with software to remove clicks, pops, and other undesirable characteristics of vinyl, the TTUSB is a comprehensive package that breathes new life into older recordings.

USB Turntable Numark is known for their turntables, and this one lives up to the company name. Features include an adjustable Anti-Skate control for increased stereo balancing, 33-1/3 and 45 RPM speed playback (with 78 rpm support via software), line level RCA outputs with built-in preamp, and an adjustable pitch control of plus or minus 10%.
The USB output means a no-fuss, plug-and-play connection to your PC or Mac for easy archiving.
Stereo Line Input As an added benefit, the TTUSB also includes a 1/8-inch stereo mini jack input connector to facilitate the transfer of cassette tapes (or similar line level sources) to computer files-making this unit the perfect tool for archiving older recordings, regardless of their original format.
EZ Vinyl Converter 2 The included EZ Converter software quickly rips your vinyl collection directly to iTunes. MixMeister's software lets you easily designate each track with the click of a button, and retrieves track names and other info using Gracenote technology. Once it's in iTunes (or the playback software of your choice), make playlists, burn CDs, or transfer to your iPod or other media player.
Audacity For the editing of your transferred files, the included Audacity software (PC and Mac compatible) provides a wealth of easy-to-use features. Remove clicks, pops, and other vinyl surface noise. Export your analog music to popular digital formats such as WAV or MP3, and turn your old, forgotten records to the top of your digital music playlist.
What's in the Box TTUSB Turntable (Includes Pre-Mounted Cartridge, Platter, Counterweight, 45RPM Adapter, Slipmat), USB Cable, Software CD, User's Manual

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