Convert Vinyl & 78RPM Records to Digital

Convert Vinyl Records to Digital Formats - MP3 and CD

Many people have vinyl record collections, and some contain rare or personal recordings that aren’t available in digital formats. Over time, vinyl records will warp. Records can also build up scratches from improper handling. Both situations can lead to diminished sound quality.

You can stop time-related and handling-related damage to your records by preserving them in digital formats. Two Squares can professionally convert your vinyl to digital. We convert records to .mp3 files (perfect for iPods, phones, and computers) or CDs. Let us help you preserve the quality of your beloved records while making them more convenient for listening to.

Our Vinyl LP Record to MP3 or CD Transfer Process

Two Squares converts 33, 45, or 78 RPM records to MP3 or CD-based digital formats. Then, you can play your treasured files in your home or vehicle’s CD player. You can also easily transfer your transferred digital files to a computer or iPod.

One of the most critical parts of the record-capturing process is properly cleaning a record. However, not all records are the same. Vinyl records are cleanable using an alcohol-based solution. But shellac, acetate, and other older record pressings need alcohol-free solutions to avoid damaging them.

Two Squares has the experience, tools, and a variety of safe cleaning chemicals to ensure the cleanest possible records. Clean records provide the best results as we convert vinyl to digital audio.

Vinyl Record Handling

Proper handling of old vinyl records is very important. That’s because vinyl is relatively easy to scratch. Vinyl also builds up a static charge that attracts dust over time.

Two Squares trains its technicians to properly handle vinyl, shellac, acetate, and lacquer records. We also inspect and clean records with a special solution to prepare the record’s surface before converting vinyl to digital formats.

Time, improper handling, or other factors can cause older records to sometimes skip. Fortunately, Two Squares has several techniques to avoid or minimize skipping by reducing the playback speed or even playing a record backward during the digital capture. Then, our technicians re-adjust the audio to the proper speed and direction during post-processing.

Tools used to convert vinyl records to digital audio formats

Audio Equipment Used to Convert Vinyl to Digital Audio

Companies make low-cost USB turntables for consumers that connect to their computers. Unfortunately, these turntables yield low-quality captures and poor results when converting vinyl to digital formats.

However, a high-quality turntable provides better results when converting vinyl records to digital formats. This process requires a high-end turntable with a pressure-controlled (weight-balanced) armature. It’s also crucial to have the appropriate needle selection for each album’s speed since not all records’ grooves are the same.

The image on the left shows a Two Squares technician balancing the weight of the needle on a record’s surface. This process minimizes skips from scratches and hissing or warbles common with older warped records.

With the proper needle, weight-balancing also ensures the needle aligns perfectly with a record’s grooves to pick up audio optimally.

It’s important to note a 78 RPM record’s stylus is different (larger) than a 33 RPM or 45 RPM record’s stylus. That’s because the grooves for 78 RPM records are wider than 33 or 45 RPM records.

Using a stylus designed for a 78 RPM record on a 33 or 45 RPM record when converting vinyl to digital may cause skimming across the record because the stylus doesn’t fit properly into the records’ grooves. Conversely, a stylus designed for a 33 or 45 RPM record on a 78 RPM record can position a needle at the bottom of a record’s grooves and pick up additional noise.

Audio Digitization

Using your computer’s motherboard sound interface or sound card line inputs can also affect results when converting vinyl records to digital audio formats. Computers output a lot of electronic noise from switching circuits and fans, bleeding into your capture. When this happens, it can cause unwanted noise and hiss. The resulting hiss and noise can be very noticeable even for untrained ears.

When converting vinyl to digital, the best results come from properly grounded, external studio-grade digital conversion devices. Two Squares only uses professionally maintained and tuned studio-grade audio equipment to ensure the best possible digitization quality.

Digital Post-Processing

The next step in quality vinyl to digital conversions is post-processing. Many cheap software programs claim to improve the quality of digital recordings by removing pops and hisses.

Unfortunately, you get what you pay for with post-processing software. Cheap or free programs can remove some noise. These programs can also remove noises, features, and the quality of your vinyl recordings. Free and cheap post-processing programs can also make your recordings sound worse than they originally did.

Two Squares has the experience and professional-grade software tools to provide the best possible conversion.

Converting Vinyl Records to Digital Formats for iPods or Hard Drives/Flash Drives

Two Squares can convert audio from vinyl records to a digital set of MP3 files. You can copy these files to an iPod, iPhone, Android, computer, hard drive, or flash drive.

Start by giving us a call at 763-400-4510. You’ll talk with a media conversion expert about the vinyl record audio you’d like to preserve. We’ll walk you through the whole process from sending or delivering your records to our Brooklyn Park, MN location, to getting your MP3 or CDs fit for easy listening and sharing.

Pricing

Pricing for Our Record to CD Conversion Services

$15 per Record converted to digital files (MP3, Wave, etc.)

and copied to your hard drive/flash drive

Optional: to put your files onto CD, add:

$10 per CD – CDs hold up to 80 minutes of audio

Add premium noise reduction for $10 per tape.

No setup charge | Flat price not dependent on record length | Record cleaning included | CD track insertion included

Questions About Pricing?

Call Us (763) 400-4510 OR Email Us