Re: [ARSCLIST] recommendations solicited -- simple analog-to-digital USB setup

["Steven C. Barr(x)" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Fine" <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> I have a friend, an older person, who is very expert in all things analog -- 
and has a wonderful
> setup for playing tapes and records. However, he is far from expert on
anything computer and is not
> likely to gain the expertise of a 20-year-old ever. He has an iMac and wants
to transfer some of his
> tapes and records to digital so he can burn CD's for his car.
>
> I live in a PC world, so I'm not sure what's out there for the Mac. I think
he's OK making the CD's
> in Roxio Toast, but what's a good, simple, non-kludged audio
recorder/editor -- in other words is
> there a Mac equiv of Sony Soundforge Audio Studio (ie "lite")?
> http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/products/product.asp?pid=454
>
> And, what's a good and simple-as-possible USB interface for him? I think he
wants to transfer 96/24,
> but I think almost any A-D interace will do 96/24 these days. I don't think he
has to have balanced
> inputs and outputs, but something that can handle +4 input levels would be
preferable. He has no
> need for mic preamps or any sort of built-in hardware beyond maybe input
trimmers.
>
> So, for the Mac world, does such a simple solution exist? Think the opposite
of what a total
> "engineer type" would want (ie as few useless "features" as possible, as
simple and direct a user
> interface as possible -- think of the phones with big number buttons made for
old folks as a model).
>
Well, I know nothing about Mac applications, since I also "live in a Wintel
world!" I would assume, however, that Macs also have some sort of "Line In"
input jack for sound signals...and "line level" audio is essentially an
audio standard, so such a jack can be fed from any "Line Out" jack(s?) on
his sound system. The usual combination is a pair of "RCA jacks" on the
sound system, and a "mini-phone jack" on the computer (this type of
cord is readily available)!

I'll leave the software part to someone who has the necessary knowledge...

Steven C. Barr