More Techy Stuff

[Tel]

Hi Guys

Does anybody out in Man Fan land have one of those new fangled USB turntables, preferably an Ion.

A friend has one but when you record vinyl to the PC there is no resonance/presence on the track. It's sounds as flat as a witches boob.

I've tried everything but I am dealing with it via E-Mail and phone (the guy is over the other side of the country) but I am beginning to be at a loss as to what to do next. We know it's not the software as he gets the same result using something as basic as Windows Sound Recorder as in other products.

So if anybody has had any experience I would be grateful if you could share or offer suggestions (positive ones).

Thanks

Tel

[Iowerth Pritchard]

I don't have any experience with an Ion or USB deck, but I have come across a similar problem when running a record deck directly into a PC soundcard, without going through a pre-amp first.   Pre-amps have RIAA equalisation built into them to reverse the EQ-ing applied when vinyl is cut.   The cutting EQ mutes the lower frequencies and amplifies the higher one.  So if your dubs from vinyl to PC are coming out 'tinny' then it's most likely that the RIAA EQ needs to be applied.  Have a look in the USB deck documentation - there may be some method of applying it directly. Alternatively you'll have to apply it after recording in a wave editor like Audacity or Abode Audition.

[Tel]

Hi Iowerth

Not only pre amps but all amps. that's why you should only plug a turntable into the designated port on an amplifier. If you use anything else then the RIAA is not resolved and the sound is rubbish.

Fortunately it's not me - I have a good old fashioned deck and take a line out of my Yamaha Amp to the soundcard so RIAA is sorted.

However, the USB deck have a preamp built in so the RIAA should be handelled. I think it is as they are not really tinny just dull as in there's no presence on them.

I suppose the best comparrison is like the difference between a new and old set of guitar strings. New strings you get a nice ring to the sound whereas if you have a set that have been on for some time they loose that shine and resonance.

I don't think it's a general problem with the Ion, I have heard them in action and they seemed fairly decent. Also there would be general outcry on the web but most reviews are generally positive if not overboard and there's not much I can find in Forums (unless somebody is doing a bloody good job of burying it)

I've eliminated just about everything except possibly the tracking. These things have a certain amout of self assembly, including getting stylus arm correctly balanced. So it's poosible it may be there.

But any other (polite) suggestions would be welcome.

Cheers

Tel

[Pete T]

..I'm with Rob on this one..!!