Turntables with a USB lead

**tomahawk** · 6th May 2011

Is it worth buying one? Are they any good...? I was thinking of just buying something that I could use to transfer vinyl into my PC....I don't wish to buy a full DJ set-up, as it stands...I live in a unit, so it's really not practical; but that aside, I just want the possibility of being able to record vinyls' contents onto my PC to use on my mixing software. Are these USB-lead turntables up to scratch? Anyone know?

**haze** · 6th May 2011

the problem with cheap turntables is that the signal to noise ratio tends to be huge due to light platters, cheap motors and overly light tone arms. add usb and you add an analog to digital converter into the mix and again if that's cheaply built then you will get further noise related issues.

often the quality will sound ok at low volume, but the glitches and noise become apparent when it's increased. if you can try before you buy i would...

**phil1210** · 6th May 2011

i use an ion lp2cd converter.it wasnt cheap though 350 quid.does the job for me.
rips in wav to built in flash drive then you burn to built in cd recorder

**dj Euphoria** · 6th May 2011

i have Numark TTX1's and they come with USB leads and Audacity. great, but again, not cheap. your looking at around £300.

**Bar** · 6th May 2011

I was gonna get a USB deck to rip my tunes, but all I did instead was buy this cable for 2 euro.

Turntable>AMP>Cable>PC>Wavepad>Record.

**msprim** · 6th May 2011

Your better off buying one decent turntable and get some leads to hook up to your PC/laptop for ripping rather then the usb turntables from the likes of Ion etc

**DJ Bass Raver** · 6th May 2011

i have a cheap one cost about 6o quid does the job but does get a lot of jumping and have to re rip a lot, saying that could be the state of my vinyl

**tomahawk** · 10th May 2011

thanks for the replies people....especially Haze, with his informed post; I was worried about the loss of quality thru a USB connection, as I had read it in the 'uploading your vinyls' post, or whatever it was....hence why I asked the question here. I'm not sure if anywhere would allow a 'demo', also if you're talking 300/350 quid for a decent Ion Turntable or whatever there; bear in mind I'm in Australia, you're talking the best part of over $6/700 here - something I can't realistically afford too soon; but in a few months time...well, yes, maybe. Soooo....bit of a conundrum; not sure where to go. I still have all my vinyl in the UK to deal with too. I was going to sell it; but I'm hesitant and I got too nostalgic thinking back on the memories etc...haha

Of course, the idea was to buy a relevant turntable -buy a shitload of stupendous vinyl and upload onto computer at hopefully a decent bitrate and sound and then upload the releases onto here to share that aren't already on here....instead of asking for MP3s all the time; I wanted to give rather than keep taking all the time. But of course, I don't want to 'share' naff quality MP3s...also, going off what msprim said, wouldn't I need an amp for that too? I really wanted less equipment; as I said not really feasible; given where I live and my lack of room (in a unit). All I really wanted was just a simple application - a turntable that would transfer its music onto the computer at a decent sound; at this point in time not interested in a whopping DJ set-up complete with gut-busting amps, speakers and strobe-lights enough to make even the Auora Australis dizzy! Too much money; too much effort for what I want to do.

Hmmm......not sure now; will have to do some more swatting up I guess

Thanks for the interesting pointers and suggestions though peeps

**tomahawk** · 10th May 2011

Originally Posted by topbuzz

i have a cheap one cost about 6o quid does the job but does get a lot of jumping and have to re rip a lot, saying that could be the state of my vinyl

The old saying "you get what you pay" for usually applies...my main concerns with something so cheap would be the problems you've highlighted, as well as poor recorded quality....anddddd....don't forget, if I'm buying vinyl from say, Discogs - it's going to be quite expensive for me to build up my collection again - especially with postage here to Oz...so I really need a reliable and decent kit. If I'm to do this, and I really want to - I want the best I can get at the prices I can afford.....I'm very impatient as a person, if I had to keep re-ripping I'd be too pissed off eventually and throw it at the wall!! And I'm sure your vinyl isn't all in bad nick....though that's not to knock you and your equipment; it's just that this is a big decision for me, it would be a bit different if I still lived in the UK. Fuckin' hell!! Where are the generous Gods of Wicked USB Turntable Products when you need them?!?!?!

**tomahawk** · 10th May 2011

Originally Posted by msprim

Your better off buying one decent turntable and get some leads to hook up to your PC/laptop for ripping rather then the usb turntables from the likes of Ion etc

what like? Like a professional turntable: a 1210 etc? Wouldn't I then need an amp too?

**msprim** · 10th May 2011

Originally Posted by tomahawk

also, going off what msprim said, wouldn't I need an amp for that too? I really wanted less equipment; as I said not really feasible; given where I live and my lack of room (in a unit).

You can plug your turntable into a hifi system - phono input - then you can plug your hi-fi to your PC - you just need the right wires

Don't buy an Ion turntable - get a normal dj turntable