Vinyl to PC recording with Focusrite Saffire?

[Tiger Blood]

Hey guys

I was thinking of setting up a technics 1200 with my pc for vinyl sampling in ableton.

It all makes sense to me apart from how i get the link from phono technics audio plugs into the sound card?

As far as im aware the focusrite only has these two preamp inputs on the front that use a TRS plug it looks like.

How do i go about linking them property? i assume ill need an adapter cable of some sort?

Thanks for any help! I cant get my head around it

[Brothulhu]

I've tried with my Scarlett 2i2. My best results were from going from my Mixer to the sound card with one of these - http://www.djzone.co.uk/ekmps/shops/djz ... -390-p.jpg with the input switched to Instrument not Line (no idea why but it sounded louder and better). The recordings still weren't great but it worked. Definitely interested to see if anyone knows a better way

[Tiger Blood]

I've tried with my Scarlett 2i2. My best results were from going from my Mixer to the sound card with one of these - http://www.djzone.co.uk/ekmps/shops/djz ... -390-p.jpg with the input switched to Instrument not Line (no idea why but it sounded louder and better). The recordings still weren't great but it worked. Definitely interested to see if anyone knows a better way

yea thats what i expected but i wondered if i could go straight from the TT to the sound card without a mixer

[Brothulhu]

You probably can but it will be very quiet

[Tiger Blood]

You probably can but it will be very quiet

the focus rite has pre amps

[Artie_Fufkin]

I think....the phono pre amps on mixers boost the signal more than pre amps on interfaces. I might be wrong but I thought I read that somewhere. If you have to boost the signal a lot with the pres on your interface, it might be noisier. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. ..I bet sharmaji would know...

[Mad_EP]

You'll need an amp (receiver) or a DJ mixer for 2 reasons.

1) the signal from the turntable is extremely low, and they boost the signal.

2) both amps/receivers & DJ mixers have a connection for the ground cable from the turntable. A soundcard won't (as far as I know).



In my set-up, I have my turntable going into my amp/receiver - and from there, I output through the headphone jack into my soundcard. I don't have a DJ mixer, as I only have 1 turntable... but if I did (or you do), then connect from the turntable to the DJ mixer, and then output to your soundcard.

How do you listen to your records without a mixer or amp?

[Tiger Blood]

You'll need an amp (receiver) or a DJ mixer for 2 reasons.

1) the signal from the turntable is extremely low, and they boost the signal.

2) both amps/receivers & DJ mixers have a connection for the ground cable from the turntable. A soundcard won't (as far as I know).



In my set-up, I have my turntable going into my amp/receiver - and from there, I output through the headphone jack into my soundcard. I don't have a DJ mixer, as I only have 1 turntable... but if I did (or you do), then connect from the turntable to the DJ mixer, and then output to your soundcard.

How do you listen to your records without a mixer or amp?

i have a mixer i just dont have space for it near my pc so was hoping to avoid it. i guess if i have to use it then its not a problem i can just TRS plug from the mixer headphone jack to the sound cards pre amp?

[Mad_EP]

or the mixer's outputs.

[Tiger Blood]

or the mixer's outputs.

the mixer outputs for two speakers how would i capture both channels?

[drake89]

I've answered this question in at least a couple of threads.

A focusrite saffire (the one I have) is not ideal at all for recording off vinyl. The outputs from a mixer are line level, and the inputs on the focusrite small soundcards are designed for insturments or microphones. The preamp is to boost the signal from those sources, so a mixer is going to clip the preamps and it will sound like shit. Maybe using your headphone jack would work better since the signal may be less intense. The only way i have been able to sample cleanly from a turntable to a focusrite saffire is going from turntable --> mixer ---> TRS main output ---> focusrite input. The main volume fader on my mixer was all the way down, the -20dB pad on the focusrite was on, and the preamps were all the way down on it as well. That way the preamps weren't clipping and I could record into ableton like anything else. best of luck

[Artie_Fufkin]

or the mixer's outputs.

the mixer outputs for two speakers how would i capture both channels?

Individual left and right outputs? Make each one go to its own input on your interface and arm two tracks for recording and pan the two mono tracks you get accordingly.

[Mr_Frost]

IMO you should leave the mixer out of the equation as it will just introduce background noise. you may need a different audio interface. a serato or traktor box will allow you to record phono inputs direct to your computer without the need of a mixer.

another option would be to get this or something similar to use with your current interface
http://www.guitarcenter.com/BBE-FJB-200 ... =103540886