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DIY HD Tracks from mint LPs?

I have 1500 mint Lps (no pops, clicks, or noise) and wish to make my own 96kHZ/24Bit files.

Is the technology there yet?

The bulk of HD Tracks are of Lps I already own. Why pay BIG$ to HD Tracks for each album, that I already have?

What do you need, If you have a High End turntable, MC cartridge, phono stage, preamp, as a source?

What DAC/Computer/software is needed? I have a 2011 iMac, 16 GB, 2009 Mac Mini, 4GB, and 2010 MacBook Pro, OWC SSD, 8GB.

HD Tracks are after all, just "Digital" copies of the analog master tapes, at best. What do they do, that I can't, at home, for a few thousand bucks?

Has anyone had success doing this? Is it worth the effort?
don_c55
docdan50
71 posts
 
Tape out or phono preamp out to analogue to digital converter to recording software on computer. I use an apogee duet usb. There is also an apogee duet firewire that is the older model. I use cd spin doctor to record. Pure vinyl is another choice.
herman
2,256 posts
 
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Pure Vinyl software and a good quality pro audio interface like an RME Fireface or Apogee would be a good way to go. The interface along with RIAA EQ in software would also function as the phono preamp and the DAC. You might just end up ditching the Pass phono stage.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Computer-Audio-Interfaces---Convertors-Computers---Peripherals,Show-All-Brands,New-Gear.gc

http://www.channld.com/purevinyl/

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sevende
11 posts
 
Yes, I have had success doing this. I too have a huge vinyl collection that I won't or can't re-purchase.

You'll need three ingredients:

1) RME FireFace 800
2) Steinberg Wavelab 7
3) The book Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science by Bob Katz.

Regarding the audio-chain you listed, eliminate the preamp when you are recording. Go directly out of your phono stage into the RME. Does your phono stage have balanced outputs? Ideally, it does and you will connect those balanced outs to the natively balanced ins on the RME with a set of Mogami Gold Studio balanced cables.
holmejr
30 posts
 
This sounds like a great solution for me w/ out spending $600 or more on a inline recorder.

what cables are you using between preamp and Zoom?
art
2 posts
 
I use a Korg MR2000S. It will record/archive your analog input in DSD at up to 1 bit/2.8 MHz or even 1 bit/5.6 MHz! The Audiogate software that comes with it can then covert down to FLAC at up to 24bit/192KHz, and also to WAV, ALAC (apple lossless), WMA, MP3, AAC, etc. at a variety of bit depths and sample rates.

The Audiogate software also lets you divide and combine files so you can record an entire LP side and then split the songs later, instead of having to push a button at the end of every song.
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