Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good

[rikibeth]

So I actually got around to hooking up the Instant Music today, to rip all my obsolete stuff.

I started with the dual tape deck I had. Supposed to be a good one.

Well, I got one tape imported. Defining the tracks is going to be kind of special, as it's an old mixtape, and auto-define didn't like it.

So I figured I would try another tape, a commercial one.

It broke the deck.

I was not up to figuring out all the special circuitry needed to hook up the Scott amp/pre-amp and the vintage turntable. Plus I would have had to get stuff that's wires on one side and RCA adapters on the other because the components pre-date RCA plugs.

All that stuff would sound a lot better than my late-1980s vintage bookshelf stereo with turntable and dual cassette... but the bookshelf unit? Works.

So I hooked that up.

And, lo and behold, the gadget cheerfully imports from vinyl.

First thing I did was a Soviettes b-side that was a bonus item when I bought their CD at the Fat Wreck tour, just to make sure it functioned.

It did.

Then the really key item: "Fallen Like The Sky," a vinyl-only bonus track from the AFI Decemberunderground vinyl box set. Because eternaleponine bought that on clearance at Hot Topic, because she's a completist.

Ripped, converted to MP3, sent to my iTunes, emailed to her.

It plays.

I confess I am going to rip my vanishingly tiny collection of 45s first because I am not confident about the auto-define tracking for LPs. And the first LP I try is probably NOT going to be Dark Side of the Moon.

But I can convert my vinyl!

Anyone who has prized vinyl (or tape) they want converted to MP3? Bring it over. Bribes cheerfully accepted.

Comments

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

I was planning on getting Mark this for his bday this year so he can do the same thing.I dread how long it's gonna take to rip all that vinyl.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Mine's the Instant Music so it can accept cassette input as well as turntable. Also, cheaper.

If you have a working turntable and pre-amp (that is, something that will play the vinyl in its current configuration) it might be the way to go, since it can capture audio from DVDs and VHS as well.

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

I suspect the thingy would e cheaper than trying to get the turntable working again

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

That makes a lot of sense. I knew I had at least one working turntable.

[auspeople.livejournal.com]

Oooo, this sounds cool. I need desperately to find something to convert a couple tape things that I can't even BUY on CD.

Say more about the toy?

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

It's one of these:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/85fb/

Basically a little magic box with space for RCA in, and USB out, and a CD of magic software, and you plug your stereo in on one end and your computer on the other and you use the magic graphical interface to turn things into files. AIFF files, initially, and there are ways you can apply filters to take off noise and stuff, although I am not doing anything with the filters right now.

I'm just going on "it's magic."

It's $50 for the PC version and $60 for the Mac and I have SO much more than $60 worth of vinyl it's not even funny.

You want one. Everyone with a vinyl and cassette collection wants one.

Right now? I am making files of a Sesame Street boxed set from the earliest days of the show.

Priceless.

[auspeople.livejournal.com]

Dude man. This may definitely be something to look into. At $60, it's definitely sounding like a player.

[talandra.livejournal.com]

I've got one for you.... a tape of Don's session on WBRS... @ Candles anyone?

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

OMG YES.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Yay, toy!

[battle-of-one.livejournal.com]

A COMPLETIST. I have never heard that term but it's perfect. :)