How do I transfer my old records to my harddrive?

Question

I want to do this the easy and least expensive way. Thanks.

Answer 1

The least expensive way is not the easiest.
Least Expensive:

1) You would record the records as they play, using the blue Line-In port on your computer, and recording to whatever format you want.

2) You would then need to manually split each song into a separate file/track using audio-editing software.

Process takes a couple hours per record in some cases.

Easiest:

1) Find a company that specializes in audio/video transfer to other media. Not necessarily easy in of itself, but once you find one, they do the grunt work. And also not cheap.

Answer 2

Buy a plug in microphone for eight dollars, place it front of your speakers while playing the records and record them to windows recorder. From there you can move them to any place on your computer with the save as option.

Answer 3

You may be able to connect your turntable's output to the INPUT of your sound card.

*IF* the signal level is too low from your turntable you will have to buy a preamp with the suitable connections. Radio Shack use to sell such an item, although I'm not sure they still do.