If you compare vinyl records with streaming, one of the perks of vinyl records is the better sound quality. However, convenience or portability is a significant drawback associated with vinyl.
You may wish to convert vinyl to MP3 for various other reasons. Nobody wants to lose their prized possessions due to a natural calamity. Digital formats like MP3 are undeniably easier to duplicate and share.
Additionally, while new platforms like Spotify have made music much more accessible than ever before, they don’t always include all your desired recordings. If you have a unique taste in music and own rare vinyl that has yet to be released on other platforms, converting your vinyl collection will be your sole option for listening to such songs on portable devices.
In this article, we will discuss simple steps that will answer the question of how to convert vinyl to MP3. Read on to find out!
Step 1: Clean your Vinyl Records
When digitizing it to MP3, any defect, whether from scratches or dust, will be captured. Vinyl records can accumulate dust over a period of time, so cleaning them before starting the converting process is essential.
It can be done quickly or in a more complicated manner. Still, due to the sound interference produced by dust and dirt on records, you’ll want to take the time to do it well.
If you’re in a hurry, you can get vinyl in decent shape by following a few simple procedures.
To begin, use a static-removing record brush to remove dust and static from the record. Use a cleaning solution and a clean, dry rag to erase scratches, fingerprints, or other apparent defects from a vinyl record.
Important Note: Before you begin recording, make sure the record’s surface is dry, or it could get corrupted.
Step 2: Download a Compatible Audio Recording Software
Audacity is a free, open-source audio recording, editing, and mixing tool. It is available for download on the Audacity official website.
In addition, you also have to install the LAME Encoder. It is a plug-in library for Audacity to convert your vinyl records to MP3 format.
The Audacity website’s FAQ page for Installation and Plug-Ins has detailed instructions for obtaining and installing both of these libraries on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. The installation of both the Audacity application and the two encoding libraries is quite simple.
Step 3: Connect your Devices
You’ll also need to connect your turntable to the computer. If your turntable has a USB port, just plug it into your computer’s USB port and turn it on. The turntable should be recognized as an audio input by your computer.
If it doesn’t, ensure you go to your turntable’s manufacturer’s website and download the correct drivers. They will be included in the website’s support tab.
If your turntable doesn’t have a USB port, link the player’s output to your computer’s audio input. Check your computer’s handbook to see where you may locate this.
It’s also a good idea to check the volume levels. Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar in Windows and choose ‘Sounds.’ Click on ‘Recording’ in the new window that appears, and make sure it’s ‘Set Default’ after selecting the appropriate input as shown below.
Now, attach the turntable and try playing a vinyl record. You can leave things alone if the sound bar remains green or if you can hear the sound levels from your computer speakers.
If your sound bar goes red or your speaker plays a sound on the wrong level, go to ‘Properties’ and then the ‘Levels’ tab. Reduce the volume till the replay is clear. In case the audio from your turntable is very low, then check if the turntable’s pre-amp is turned on or not.
Step 4: Record the Vinyl in Audio Recording Software
Now you may start properly recording your vinyl. Before you begin, double-check that Windows is set to ‘Focus Assist’ in the notifications bar. This will stop the device from making any notification tones, which may or may not be captured based on how the music is recorded.
Begin recording using Audacity, then play your vinyl. You may now leave it to digitize the first side of the vinyl record. Still, it’s essential to keep an eye on the procedure to ensure that everything is running well.
Since a side of vinyl typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes, remember to check when your vinyl finishes playing before continuing to record using Audacity. Also, be cautious while approaching the turntable while it is recording since you don’t want to cause it to jump a certain point from the track.
Press the ‘Stop’ button after the side has been recorded. Save your recording as an Audacity file is now a good idea. This does not convert the recording into an audio file that can be played in a media player. Still, it does allow you to modify it in Audacity.
Step 5: Split Each Track
If you are anything like the majority of people, you would prefer to break up the album into separate tracks. If you’re using the Audacity program, click and drag your mouse over a track’s length to highlight it.
After that, pick Edit from the toolbar, then Labels, then Add Label At Selection from the drop-down menu, and give the track a suitable name.
Step 6: Export All the Tracks
After you have split and labelled each track, go to the toolbar’s File option and pick Export Multiple from the drop-down menu as shown below.
You will be prompted to add a description to your MP3 on the following screen. It will be simpler to arrange your music collection if you include the album and artist name, as well as the song title and record number.
That is how you convert vinyl to MP3. Enjoy your freshly digital music in the media player after the conversion is complete.
You may now do the same thing for each song on that side of the vinyl. After that, you’ll need to record the second side using the same method.
It’ll take some time, but you’ll end up with a digital version of your vinyl in MP3 format that can be played on a variety of devices.
Conclusion
It is that simple to convert vinyl to MP3. You may now listen to your old music whenever and wherever you like without being chained to a turntable and audio system.
You may also free up some storage space by selling or giving away your old vinyl records, as well as the turntable.
