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

["Tadey, Tony" <Anthony_Tadey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steven C. Barr(x)
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 9:40 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] recommendations solicited -- simple
analog-to-digital USB setup

----- 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

----------------------------------

Something to consider, Most computer power supplies are not designed
with Audio in mind.  Because of this, Internal sound cards have a
tendency of having a poor Signal to Noise ratio.  The internal sound
card option may not produce the desired transfer because of the high
noise floor caused by the computer's internal power supply.  This does
depend on specific use, While the noise floor may be too high to acquire
a decent "archival" transfer of a soft source (classical or other music
with "breathing" room) it may be good enough for a listening copy of a
loud source (highly compressed RnR and pop).

Tony