Converting From LP to IPod

While LPs, cassettes, and eight tracks are all obsolete, many people still have fond memories and big collections.  Buying all your music new again is never attractive.  So, what would you think if you could pull all those high quality recordings off of your records, and put them on your iPod or other MP3 player? It's entirely possible, and with the advent of a few new gadgets, it's even easier than it used to be.  If you've been hoping to transfer music from your LPs to an iPod, here are some of your options.

An LP to iPod converter, such as a USB turntable, is the simplest way to get songs off your records and into your computer.  There are even some that you can mount your iPod on, and transfer the songs directly.  The iPod will have to be at least fifth generation, or a second generation iPod Nano.  Of course, if you have a different brand of MP3 player, an older iPod, or don't want to use a player, you can still output files into your computer.  You may then play your new MP3s on the computer, or burn them to disc for playing in a stereo.  Either way, it's a good way to make a backup of the music you already own, so that you can preserve those records for later.

Another option, which doesn't involve buying a specialized device, is to connect your turntable to a stereo that can be attached to your computer's sound card. Make sure to use high quality cables, since lower end ones can cause the sound quality to deteriorate.  Once you've got the connection together, you can open a sound utility and use it to save the data coming in through the microphone port to an MP3 file.  This is a trickier and more complex method of getting music from an LP to an iPod.  However, it does mean that you don't have to buy a specialized device. Those who aren't too tech savvy or who don't have a stereo capable of connecting to a computer will want to use a converter, however.

No matter how you do it, there are plenty of great reasons for converting your music.  Some music won't ever be available on CD or in MP3 format, making it impossible to listen to digitally.  Other times, you'd like to listen to songs you own without having to duplicate your music collection.  While a specialized converter is only cost effective for people with large LP collections, the cost of new songs or CDs does add up fast.  If you have a lot of music to listen to, it may be worth it.

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