USB Turntable: Bring Vinyl Records Into The MP3 Age!
Why would you want a USB Turntable you might asking? Well one surprising development in recent years has been the revival of vinyl records – for any younger readers: this was a forerunner of CDs, ask your dad. Although it remained popular with DJs, most music fans had long since consigned their collections to the back of a cupboard, where they remained unheard and gathering dust because there wasn’t a simple, cost effective way of transferring the material into a digital format. Fortunately, that is no longer the case; there are devices you can use to upload your record collection to your computer, or even your iPod, with ease.
1. The “Profile” is a vinyl turntable which plugs directly into a USB slot on your computer, how easy is that? Once plugged in, you simply play a disc and use the accompanying software to convert the tracks into a digital format.
2. The second version you can get is the “iProfile” which is the same turntable but with the addition of a slot for your iPod (Nano and Classic). Once again it’s very easy to use, just pop your iPod into the slot and transfer your tunes. And if you have any old cassettes lying around, you can plug a cassette player into it and transfer those tracks too, very retro!
Both USB turntables can also be used with your standard music system, and the conversion software is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux. If you decide to convert a whole album, the software will automatically divide it up into separate tracks, and search for the correct titles and artists using the Gracenote programme which comes as part of the bundle. And for anyone who thinks 45s and 33s are a blast from the past, the turntables will even convert 78s!
To sum up: either USB turntable would be a great purchase. Not only can you revisit favourite tunes from the past without the expense of buying each album on CD, you can also protect those valuable vinyl record discs – some records are worth a fortune as collector’s items – but still have the pleasure of listening to them in all their crackly, atmospheric glory.
Also, if you like combining retro stuff with your modern iPod technology, be sure to check the Retro iPod Alarm Clock!
Related Pages:
- USB Tape Express – Audio Cassette Tape To MP3 Converter
- Retro iPod Alarm Clock
- USB VHS Converter
- Star Theatre Planetarium – Bring Space Into Your Home!
- CopyTrans Manager Review (iTunes Alternative)
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Comments: 54
10:18 pm 15th October, 2009
I have a turntable and love it for playing my Vinyl’s (makes you feel like you’re really listening to music somehow), but I could never bring myself to buy a USB version – I think that digital and turntables shouldn’t mix personally!
Great review though
Comments: 10
9:13 am 16th October, 2009
I see your point John, but if you have a loft full of Vinyl’s ( like I do) then this could be an ideal solution. I look forward to hearing what other people think.
If you are a purist then you need to play your Vinyls on a Valve Amplified system.
Ah, the good old day’s