imic recording to iBook from turntable

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Edward Kearns - 30 Jan 2006 16:19 GMT

When I record from the preamp out to the iMic to the iBook G4, the
sound is fine. However, using the direct turntable connection, with EQ
selected in FinalVinyl, the sound is terrible. Very loud background
noise, which analysis with my electrical engineer cousin showed was not
60-cycle hum.

Any idea what's wrong? The iMic people insisted it must be 60-cycle hum.

Ed

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matt neuburg - 30 Jan 2006 17:25 GMT

> When I record from the preamp out to the iMic to the iBook G4, the
> sound is fine. However, using the direct turntable connection, with EQ
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Any idea what's wrong? The iMic people insisted it must be 60-cycle hum.

Don't expect to connect a turntable direct to your computer. A turntable
signal is very weak, and the components are extraordinarily sensitive;
and there's an RIAA curve to deal with.

If you want to get good sound from your (analog) turntable to your
(digital) computer, use a good preamp and a good analog/digital
converter (the iMic is not one).

m.

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Edward Kearns - 30 Jan 2006 21:23 GMT

>> When I record from the preamp out to the iMic to the iBook G4, the
>> sound is fine. However, using the direct turntable connection, with EQ
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> m.

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Edward Kearns - 30 Jan 2006 21:23 GMT

>> When I record from the preamp out to the iMic to the iBook G4, the
>> sound is fine. However, using the direct turntable connection, with EQ
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> m.

But iMic claims you can do that! Is that simply a lie?
Ed

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John Johnson - 30 Jan 2006 23:18 GMT

> >> When I record from the preamp out to the iMic to the iBook G4, the
> >> sound is fine. However, using the direct turntable connection, with EQ
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> But iMic claims you can do that! Is that simply a lie?
> Ed

Here's the relevant portion of the iMic description, from their site:

>iMic supports both mic and line level inputs via a selectable switch,
>as well as a variable level output for connecting speakers or
>headphones.

So, the question presents itself: does your turntable output a mic level
signal? It surely doesn't output a line level signal, based on your
experience.

A quick search of the googlenet didn't turn up anything obvious, and of
course I don't know what sort of turntable you have. At this point I'd
say you've got a couple of possibilities:
1. you need to switch to the mic level input on the iMic.
2. Your turntable output is too low for the iMic and you need a
receiver/box with a phono level input and a line level output to connect
to your iMic.
3. Get a different USB audio input box that has a phono preamp.

Even if the iMic does handle your turntable's output, you might, for
sound quality reasons, want to use something else. I can't comment on
that. HTH

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Later,
John

johajohn@indianahoosiers.edu

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Richard Tomkins - 31 Jan 2006 02:00 GMT

NOTE:
Turntables require pre-amplification and a special equalization curve
(called the RIAA curve). You will need to connect the turntable through a
stereo receiver or turntable preamplifier to get the best possible
recording.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/support/imic/IMIC-032.php

The above is from their site.

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Joe R - 31 Jan 2006 00:27 GMT

Do you have the turntable grounded?

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Joe

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D P Schreber - 31 Jan 2006 12:33 GMT

> When I record from the preamp out to the iMic to the iBook G4, the
> sound is fine. However, using the direct turntable connection

Does your preamp include a phono stage? If it does, use it - you'll get
better results all around than you will with a direct connection.
Disable the software equalization in this configuration.

If it doesn't, and if you're not willing to buy a standalone phono
stage, you can in a pinch digitize turntable output with an iMic and
Final Vinyl. Ignore all the posts that are telling you it can't be done
because of riaa eq -- this is exactly what the eq software in Final
Vinyl is designed to do.

Otoh don't expect particularly high fidelity. The iMic's digitizer is
not very good, and the software equalization in Final Vinyl doesn't work
as well as the what you'll get out of even a mediocre phono stage. If
all you want are mpegs, none of this matters much. If you want a
reasonably faithful reproduction of what's on the lps, buy a phono stage
and a better digitizer.

> with EQ selected in FinalVinyl, the sound is terrible. Very loud
> background noise, which analysis with my electrical engineer cousin
> showed was not 60-cycle hum.

You probably have the iMic gain switch in the wrong position.

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Mac Forum / General / Portable Macs / January 2006

imic recording to iBook from turntable