Vinylstudio

Is there a way to digitise my vinyl collection on Mac? If so, what equipment and software would I need to perform this task?

To digitise your vinyl records you will need a USB turntable, although it is possible to use a standard turntable with a separate phono stage and analogue-to-digital converter (with USB output), and an app such as Vinylstudio. The latter can either be purchased from the Mac app store or you can go to alpinesoft.com and download a trial version. Once you have got everything up and running, launch the app, slap a record onto your turntable and then follow these quick and easy steps.

1 Set up the app

When you launch the app for the first time, you will go through a setup process that includes creating a folder on your Mac for your recordings.

2 Check the levels

Click on ‘Check Level’, make sure that ‘USB AUDIO CODEC’ is selected for the Input Device and start playing your record. Follow the instructions to set the level.

3 Record an album

If you intend to record an entire album, then click on ‘Create Album’ and then enter all of the required information, such as the artist and title. Click ‘Apply’.

4 Start recording

You’re all set to go. Click ‘Record’ and then await instructions on when to lower the needle, and start playing the record. Now sit back and enjoy the music.

5 Remember to flip!

Once the first side has finished recording, click ‘Stop’, flip the record over and then click ‘Record’ before lowering the needle on the second side.