General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.
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Software Based RIAA Equalization For Best Quality Vinyl Archival?
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Posted on May 10, 2007 at 10:41:08 | ||
Posts: 10
Location: Maui, NYC, Johannesburg Joined: May 10, 2007 |
I'm about to begin archiving my collection of 3000+ records into 24 bit / 96kHz files for preservation, digital playback on very large pro audio systems (yes, some are apalling, but quite a few are truly outstanding), and studio production work. I've come across one or two references to sidestepping the phono stage EQ and doing the RIAA equaliztion on the computer to achieve a more transparent recording. This is a software package designed expressly for that purpose: And this is a second company that sells software as well as phono preamps without RIAA conversion for this purpose: The New Way For Vinyl Recording A few quotes I've found relating to the idea and methodology (the links above are far more detailed) ...
> You might try plugging your turntable directly into the iMic to record a track, and then > Doing the RIAA equalization in the Griffin software will have the effect of amplifying the Right off the bat I'm very dubious about the above person's advice as the Griffin iMic and software is FAR from pro studio quality. (the iMic is a cheap A/D converter for macs that plugs into the mic input)
> Software RIAA equalization can take a bit more effort (at this time) than a "conventional" Problem is the two people above are the ONLY ones I've ever heard making mention of this and I've spent days searching here and elsewhere and haven't seen any other first hand experiences with it. So my question is, with all else being equal (quality turntable, tonearm, stylus, proper isolation, interconnects, top notch A/D converter) would going this route truly provide the most transparent and "authentic" recording? There's no doubt that many audiophile phono stages are prized as much for their unique "coloring" of the sound as they are for their low noise floor. Since I am looking for the most transparent archiving possible taking one piece of hardware out of the signal chain makes sense to me (at least in theory). Many thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this subject. I'm an absolute newcomer to the high end audio domain and while the theories put forth on the websites above are compelling, I don't have enough real world experience to separate the hype from the facts. (they are after all selling software/hardware) Since this is going to involve literally hundreds of hours of effort and I would prefer to do it only once! |