Obviously, I will not be using some of the below mentioned equipment. However, here is my setup:

Hardware:
Technics SL-1210 (x2)
Pioneer CDJ-1000MK3 (x2)
Pioneer DJM-800
Mac Powerbook G4
Iomega UltraMax 500GB
MOTU UltraLite (just ordered)
Phillips CDR778 CD Recorder (oldie but does the job)

Software:
Amadeus Pro (just got it)

Here is what I am trying to accomplish:
I would like to transfer my vinyl collection into .mp3 files retaining as much of the original vinyl quality as possible. I guess what I am trying to say is that I do not want to eliminate those vinyl pops and cracks. The following are the options that I am currently considering. Obviously, each option is time consuming and has its own pros and cons but such is the cost of the project.

1. Connect 1210 directly into CD Recorder--
This is about as simple as it gets. I have a set of brand new needles which will most definitely help. However, where do I set the peak on my recorder? Can I simply use trial/error/comparacent method by burning one track at different peak levels and then comparing the original vinyl playback to the CD and see when they are identical? Also, in my opinion, a lot of vinyl (especially older pressings) require a bit more low end which I will not be able to adjust due to absense of a mixer in this simple setup. So, one of the cons is no control or ability tweak the record. On the other hand, is it even advisable or a good idea to mess with the original?! Finally, the last step is to transfer the newly recorded CD to my Mac at 320kpbs.

2. Connect 1210 into DJM800 and then into CD Recorder--
What are the advantages of using this method over the above other than the ability to "tweak" or "enhance" the original song? Once again, I will still have to transfer the newly recorded CD to my Mac at 320kpbs.

3. Connect 1210 into DJM800, then run it to my Mac through MOTU--
Oh I am so gonna need help with this one...even though I have read through Steele's Noob Guide...

Finally, how significant will the sound quality be between the three options above?

Thank you very much,

Ivan

3.

Unless your CD recorder has a phono preamp on it, I think option 1 is out.

Option 2 will probably preserve the most authentic vinyl sound, but I would say it comes at a price. Primarily that you'll have to boost the trim on your mixer for nearly every song you play (which is a pain at the time), because chances are you'll rarely have the gain set properly every time you record a song. Plus, IIRC, setting track skips and such on a standalone recorder isn't much fun.

I'm a fan of option 3. If you want to retain the best sound, keep the signal all digital from the mixer to the computer, and then the ONLY edits you should be doing to each track are normalization (so that the track has a constant volume) and trimming the silence off each end. You can then also customize your CD a little better, IMHO, and have a backup copy in case you accidentally trash the CD. As well, if you ever move to software playback methods (want to keep mixing on vinyl, without lugging all the wax?), you'll have everything recorded and won't have to do it again.

Generally speaking, you won't see much of a difference in quality between your option. Because you're using MP3, you will see a difference there (but it may not be completely audible, especially at the loud volumes in a club). If we all had reams of HD space, I'd say stick with WAV or AIFF (since you're on mac) which is completely uncompressed. Otherwise, make sure you use 320Kbps CBR (constant bit rate) MP3's for the best possible quality.

-r-

Ryan,

Thanks for the quick response.

Option 1.
I completely overlooked the fact that my CD Recorder doesn't have a phono preamp.
You are right, I will not be using this method.

Option 2.
All of the manual work done in under this option will most likely be too cumbersome.
Frankly, I can see myself getting frustrated. However, I will give it a try to just too compare the sound quality.

Option 3.
Sounds very appealing thus far. So, I will wait to get my interface and try to tackle the project this way.

I do, however, have a question about "normalization". Why would you want to normalize a track that has been transferred from vinyl to .mp3. Many tracks have been written in such manner that the volume of the track is at different levels throughout it. Perhaps you were talking about normalizing a mix where different tracks have different volumes?

Thank you,

Ivan

I applied the general idea of normalization to my post. What I meant was, making sure that all of the tracks you record have a somewhat consistent volume (to avoid messing about with trims on your mixer). I probably should have said "boost the levels". Generally speaking, it's better to record things so that there's no chance of clipping and then boost the levels to 0 afterwards.

You could run the audio through a compressor (digital or otherwise) to do the same thing, which would also bring up the overall volume of the track, which is useful again to get a constant volume (sometimes, I find that the "low points" of a track are too low and you have to boost them up with the volume slider or trim control when playing out). I wouldn't recommend this with older tracks - because they sound BETTER played LOUD (huge dynamic range) but newer stuff is compressed like crazy anyway so you're not hurting much. For "pristine quality", I wouldn't do this, but for tracks to play out with, it makes life much nicer.

-r-