Recording Vinyl (Mac OS)

Software

Audacity

Recording

• Connect the turntable to the Mac via USB.
• Launch Audacity after the turntable is connected in order to have USB available as an input.
  • In the Device Toolbar
    • Audio Host: Core Audio
    • Recording Device (Input): USB Audio CODEC
    • Recording Channels: 2 (stereo) Recording Channels
    • Playback Device: Built-In Output
  • Main Menu > Transport > Software Playthrough > checked
• Clean the record.
• Cue and play the record.
• To record in Audacity simply click the Record button in the Transom toolbar.
  • To create a new audio recording in Audacity, Main Menu > File > New ( ⌘+N )

It looks like maybe Audacity handles the levels in software. If so, there's no need to check the levels prior to recording, but this would need to be confirmed.

Exporting/saving audio tracks

Define tracks

• Select a track in the recording.
• Main Menu > Tracks > Add Label at Selection ( ⌘+B )
• Name the track in the Label Track that appears below the audio.
• Repeat for all tracks in the audio.

Maximize volume

• Select all: ⌘+A
• Effect > Normalize...

Set album metadata

• File > Edit Metadata...
• Enter Artist, Album, Album Artist, Year, Genre, etc.

Export audio tracks

• Main Menu > File > Export Multiple...
• Set save location, format and bitrate options in the following dialog (MP3 format requires an additional install).
• After clicking Export another dialog will prompt for artist, track name, track number, and album details.

See also

• Recording Vinyl With SoundForge