Overview: Audio-Technica LP2D-USB LP to Digital Recording System:
How many LPs and 45s do you have? If you're like me, you have a lot of records stored in your closet. I even have some older 78 RPM recordings! Audio-Technica has announced a new LP to Digital Recording System that makes it easy to convert those old favorites to digital media files or CDs, so you can play them on a portable music player, a car stereo or on your home stereo system. The LP2D-USB is one of the most interesting products I saw at CES 2008 and will likely appeal to many of us who still have a ton of records we'd like to preserve and listen to again.
Turntable Features:
The very affordable LP2D-USB is a fully automatic two-speed turntable (33 & 45 RPM) complete with a tonearm and a Dual-Magnet™ stereo phono cartridge and has a phono pre-amp to connect the turntable directly to the line level inputs of a receiver so you can use it with any receiver or integrated amplifier, even if it doesn't have phono inputs. The USB output connects to a laptop or desktop computer to create MP3, WAV or WMA digital music files of your records. The software is compatible with Mac or PC, also great news for Mac users!
Cakewalk Software Features:
The Cakewalk software included with the LP2D-USB makes digital files of your records and includes a DeClicker function to remove annoying clicks and pops from scratched records and a DeNoiser feature to remove hum and hiss from your records. You can even design and create full-color custom CD labels for your recordings. The system also includes Mac-compatible Audacity recording and editing software.
How to Use the LP2D-USB System:
You can use the LP2D-USB as a standard turntable and just play your records, or connect it to your PC, remove pops, clicks and noises, edit your records and create custom playlists, then make a CD of your favorite music complete with custom artwork. What a great idea!
The Best Part:
For only $229.00 suggested retail price, the LP2D is a great idea for music enthusiasts who want to preserve their collection of LPs, transfer them to digital media or listen to them on a portable music player. I'll be writing a full review of the LP2D-USB, so check back soon for more information. 