Apple Product Review Blog

With the development of the latest digital players such as MP3 players, CD players and cassettes, vinyl records have been dethroned and started to die. This is not the case with DJs and some collectors of these old fashion records even though LPs have been obsolete to some extent. They still love to play these records and want to archive it into modern players. As a consequence, converting these rare pieces of records into good sounding digital audio files became a problem.

This difficulty is solved with the availability of USB turntables. USB turntables offer a combination of a computer audio and phono to line preamplifier with buddle software for recording. With the revolutionary technology, it is now possible to convert these formats to the most latest digital audio formats and store it for future archiving.

Stanton T.90 Turntable

The Stanton T.90 turntable is a model with sleek design and great quality. It measures 17 inches in width and 14.5 inches in depth as well as 5.5 inches tall. The exterior is made up of high grade plastic, which makes it more impressive. The Stanton T.90 model has more features compared to its predecessors. It comes with a selector switch that allows you to choose from 33 and 45 to 78 RPMs. It also has a dual start/stop brake, reverse button, pitch control, and key lock mode. At the back of the turntable is the USB port used for connecting it to a computer. It also has the following features:

•S/PDIF digital coaxial output;
•switch for phono or line impedance;
•stereo RCA output; and
•a power switch.

This turntable model is bundled with Audacity and Cakewalk Pyro 5. These 2 software applications are ideal for audio recording and editing. Pyro 5 is just right for archiving music collections from LPs, CDs, DVDs, and cassettes. It is also capable of recording the entire content of an LP and later on can be exported as different audio formats like WAV, MP3, and WMA file.

When tested in a Windows XP system, it successfully installed its USB audio drivers without any problem. The sound quality is excellent with its built in audio card. It can record 16 bit at 44.1 kHz and can even be increased up to 48 kHz. Since this device is capable of recording and playing back audio, you can virtually play the digitized recorded vinyl through its RCA output. It is also capable of mixing a computer’s audio and the turntable’s audio – combining analog and digital in the process.

With all the features that this turntable offers, it is highly recommended for professional hobbyists or disc jockeys.

USB Turntable with iPod Dock

Currently, it is achievable to directly transfer vinyl records into an iPod without using a computer. The most up to date innovation of turntables comes with an integrated iPod dock. You simply attach your iPod to the docking station, turn on your vinyl record, and press the record button. It will then seamlessly transfer your most precious collection into your player. Whenever you decide to connect it to your computer, you just have to switch track in any play list you want. It will also automatically acquire an ID for your collection through the Gracenote program. You can also directly hook the turntable to your sound system and listen to your vinyl records.

Product Features & Specifications:

•Classic styling is enabled by plastic dust cover

•Promptly transfer your soundtrack to iPod, or write them to CD. This needs iTunes software which can be downloaded for free.

•Rip vinyl at once to WAV or MP3 audio format

•Ships using Audacity software (goes well together with Macintosh and PC) for eliminating hiss, clicks, and other unwanted qualities of vinyl

•Audacity software backups express recording that can send music back to previous playback pace afterwards

•Audacity has the power to export to MP3 and WAV format

•33.33 & 45 RPM replay speeds

•Integrated with all needed lines to interconnect with a stereo playback mechanism and PC

•Backups the recording of 78 RPM records

•RCA line outputs with built-in pre-amp allow direct connection to existing audio system.

•Plug and Play USB goes well with Macintosh Operating System and Windows XP, 2000, and Vista