Are you a vinyl enthusiast looking to digitize your record collection? Look no further than the Audio Technica turntable.
With its USB connectivity, you can easily connect your turntable to your computer and start recording your favorite albums. But how exactly do you set it up?
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step, so you can start enjoying your vinyl collection in the digital age. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newbie to the world of vinyl, we’ve got you covered.
So grab your turntable and let’s get started!
How To Connect Audio Technica Turntable To Computer
Before you begin, make sure your Audio Technica turntable is properly set up. If you need help with this, check out our past blog posts for setup information specific to your turntable.
Once your turntable is set up, turn it on and plug it into a USB port on your computer. Then, locate the Speaker Icon in the task bar on your computer, usually located at the bottom right of the screen.
Right-click on the Speaker Icon and select “Playback devices.” The Sound window will open up on the Playback tab, allowing you to select the playback device. Make sure the green check mark is next to your computer’s internal speakers, indicating they are selected as the default playback device. They are often labeled as Realtek High Definition Audio.
Next, make sure the USB CODEC is NOT selected as the default playback device with the green check mark. If it is, right-click on the computer’s internal speakers and select “Set as Default Device.”
Now that you’ve set up the correct playback device, click on the Recording tab to select the input device. Make sure the green check mark is next to the USB Audio CODEC, indicating it is selected as the default recording device.
Make sure nothing but the USB Audio CODEC is selected with the green check mark. If another device is selected, right-click on the USB Audio CODEC and select “Set as Default Device.”
Once you’ve selected the correct playback and recording devices, right-click on the USB Audio CODEC and select “Properties.” A new window will open. Select the Listen tab and click in the box next to “Listen to this device.” A check will appear.
Click Apply and OK. You are now set up and ready to listen to your records. You may drop the needle on your records and begin listening.
While playing your records, you will see movement in the recording status bar of the USB Audio CODEC. You may adjust the computer volume as needed and listen to your records while doing other things on your computer.
Gathering The Necessary Equipment
Before you can connect your Audio Technica turntable to your computer, you will need a few pieces of equipment. First and foremost, you will need your Audio Technica turntable and a USB cable to connect it to your computer. You may also need an adapter if your turntable does not have a USB output.
In addition to the turntable and USB cable, you will need a computer with a USB port and speakers. It is important to make sure that your computer’s internal speakers are selected as the default playback device before connecting the turntable.
If you plan on recording your vinyl collection onto your computer, you may also want to consider purchasing audio recording software. There are many options available online, both free and paid, that can help you capture and edit your vinyl recordings.
Finally, if you are interested in playing your records throughout your home, you may want to invest in a Bluetooth speaker or other audio equipment that can connect wirelessly to your turntable. Keep in mind that while Bluetooth turntables are convenient, they may not provide the same high-fidelity sound quality as a traditional turntable setup with separate speakers and gear.
Setting Up The Turntable
Before connecting your Audio Technica turntable to your computer, make sure it is properly set up. If you need help with this, refer to our past blog posts for setup information specific to your turntable.
Once your turntable is set up, connect it to your computer by plugging the USB cable’s Type B connector into the rear of the turntable and the Type A connector into your computer.
You may use any recording software that allows an input signal from a USB digital audio device. The free, downloadable program called Audacity is a popular choice, and you may find helpful information on using the turntable with Audacity in our previous Question of the Week post.
Set up the USB audio codec by right-clicking on the Speaker Icon in the task bar on your computer and selecting “Playback devices.” Make sure your computer’s internal speakers are selected as the default playback device and that the USB CODEC is NOT selected as the default playback device.
Next, click on the Recording tab to select the input device. Make sure the USB Audio CODEC is selected as the default recording device and that no other device is selected.
Once you’ve selected the correct playback and recording devices, right-click on the USB Audio CODEC and select “Properties.” Select the Listen tab and click in the box next to “Listen to this device.” A check will appear.
Click Apply and OK, and you are now set up and ready to listen to your records on your computer.
Installing The Necessary Software
To connect your Audio Technica turntable to your computer, you’ll need to install some necessary software. Here are the steps:
1. Go to the Audio-Technica website and download the appropriate software for your turntable. This software is called Audacity.
2. Once the download is complete, double-click on the Audacity installer to begin the installation process.
3. Follow the prompts to install Audacity on your computer. Make sure to select the appropriate options for your operating system.
4. Once Audacity is installed, open it up and go to File > Preferences.
5. Under the Devices tab, select “Audio Technica USB Turntable” as the recording device.
6. Under the Quality tab, select the appropriate settings for your recording needs.
7. Click OK to save your preferences.
Now that you’ve installed the necessary software, you’re ready to start recording your vinyl records! Simply connect your turntable to your computer as described in our previous section and start recording using Audacity.
Connecting The Turntable To Your Computer
To connect your Audio Technica turntable to your computer, begin by turning on your computer and your turntable. Locate a free USB port on the PC and plug the record player’s USB cable into the open port on your computer.
The next step is to download and install the Audacity software, which is available for free from their website. Once you have installed the software, connect your turntable output to your computer’s 1/8″ audio input or USB input.
In Audacity, click Edit > Preferences from the top menu. In the pop-up that appears, select Devices on the Left Menu and set the host to Windows Direct Sound. Set the playback device to your normal audio output (typically the computer’s built-in soundcard) and set the recording device to your turntable, which will usually appear as USB Audio Codec.
Set the channels to 2 (Stereo) and select Recording from the Left Menu. Tick the Software Playthrough box and close the pop-up window. You are now ready to begin recording.
Test play your record and make sure the input levels do not reach “red”. Adjust input volume if necessary. Click “Record” and once you are finished hit “Stop”. If using Audacity, go to the “File” menu and select “Export to MP3”. If using Garageband, go to the “File” menu and select “Save As”. The default file type is AAC.
By following these steps, you can easily connect your Audio Technica turntable to your computer and begin recording your cherished albums onto digital files.
Recording Your Vinyl Collection
Now that you have your Audio Technica turntable connected to your computer and set up for playback, you may want to record your vinyl collection. This process is simpler than you may think.
First, download and install the Audacity software from their website. Once installed, connect your turntable to your computer’s USB port. Windows may run some configuration to install the device.
Open Audacity and click Edit > Preferences from the top menu. In the pop-up that appears, select Devices on the Left Menu and set the host to Windows Direct Sound. Set the playback device to your normal audio output (typically the computer’s built-in soundcard). Set the recording device to your Audio Technica turntable, which will usually appear as USB Audio Codec. Set the channels to 2 (Stereo).
Select Recording from the Left Menu and tick the Software Playthrough box. Close the pop-up window and proceed to recording.
Test play your record and make sure the input levels do not reach “red.” Adjust input volume if necessary. Click “Record” and once you are finished hit “Stop.”
If using Audacity, go to the “File” menu and select “Export to MP3.” If using Garageband, go to the “File” menu and select “Save As.” The default file type is AAC.
For help and advice getting the best recordings from your vinyl records, consult various web forums and topics regarding Audacity’s optimal recording and export settings.
With these simple steps, you can now enjoy your vinyl collection on your computer or other digital devices.
Tips For Optimizing Your Recordings
If you want to optimize your recordings, there are a few things you can do to improve the quality of your digital files. Here are some tips:
1. Use a good cleaning brush to remove surface detritus from your records before recording. If your records need a deeper cleaning, invest in a record cleaning machine that uses specially-formulated cleaning fluid and vacuum suction to clear out the grooves.
2. Make sure your turntable is set up properly and the needle is in good condition. If you’re experiencing random clicks or glitches in your final file, it could be due to dropouts caused by multitasking on your computer. To minimize background operations, don’t run any other applications while recording and try to increase your buffer length.
3. Use high-quality recording software like Audacity or Garageband to ensure the best possible recording quality. Make sure the input levels do not reach “red” and adjust input volume if necessary.
4. Save your recordings as compatible digital files like MP3 or AAC so you can use them with other devices by burning them to a CD, or putting them onto an MP3 player or other device.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your recordings sound great and are ready to be enjoyed for years to come.
