How do I Convert a Stereo Turntable to USB?
- 1). Using a pair of analog stereo interconnect cables, connect the left and right audio outputs on your turntable to the left and right audio inputs on your stereo phono preamplifier. The jacks on your components will typically be labeled "L" and "R," and will frequently also be color coded, with the right terminal colored red. The preamplifier is necessary because turntable outputs are significantly lower than those from traditional line-level devices, such as tape decks, CD players and DVD players.
- 2). Insert the left and right plugs, usually white and red, of your 3.5 millimeter-to-dual phono plug "line-in" cord into the left and right output jacks of your phono preamplifier. Connect the 3.5 millimeter stereo miniplug on its other end into the input jack of your USB sound card. Although the jack's designation may vary from device to device, it will most likely be labeled either "audio-in" or "line-in."
- 3). Install the software for your Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 or other USB sound card device by placing its included CD-ROM into your hard drive and allowing it to run. When prompted by the software (or, if the software does not prompt you, when the process finishes) connect the sound card's USB cable into an empty USB port on your computer.
- 4). Install sound editing and recording software on your computer if you do not already have it. There are a number of different options; three examples are the Audacity Audio Editor, which is freeware, Goldwave, which is shareware, and Pro Tools, which is a commercial package (see References). In the cases of the first two, you will need to visit their websites, click the download link, download the executable installer, and then run the installer. You will need to purchase Pro Tools, on the other hand, from a reseller.
