Thread: Digitizing Mono LPs

Wasn't sure which forum to post this in.

I'm guessing that most people here know that mono LPs sound better when played back in mono, as anomalies are reduced or eliminated through the +6 dB rule, plus phase cancellation of stylus travel noise.

Historically, I have summed the left and right when digitizing mono LPs. Lately, however, I have been experimenting with doing the transfers in stereo, and then using Audacity's "Isolate Center" feature to remove these anomalies.

I'd like to hear about others' experiences.

Disclaimer: I have only digitized stereo LPs with Audacity. That said, it is my understanding that if you tell audacity to record in Mono while feeding it a two channel (left and right) signal, only the left channel is recorded. That may not be what you are asking.

Originally Posted by nicoff

Disclaimer: I have only digitized stereo LPs with Audacity. That said, it is my understanding that if you tell audacity to record in Mono while feeding it a two channel (left and right) signal, only the left channel is recorded. That may not be what you are asking.

Thank you. Good to know, but that is not quite what I am asking.

I am asking if anyone has ever digitized a mono LP in stereo, with a stereo stylus, and loaded the stereo file into Audacity. Then, instead of collapsing the L/R channels to mono, if they have used Audacity's "Isolate Center" feature to preserve the music in the center and remove the left/right artifacts. I have been experimenting with this, and the results may sound better than collapsing to mono.

Well, I just did some A/B tests of a mono LP, with a reasonable amount of low-level surface noise, digitized in stereo. I played it back in mono - which is what I always do with mono LPs - and also created new files with the "Isolate Center" feature. I think the latter is better. It removes more of the background noise, inner-groove distortion, and other L/R anomalies. This will be my preferred method of digitizing mono LPs.

Originally Posted by Bongo Beater

Well, I just did some A/B tests of a mono LP, with a reasonable amount of low-level surface noise, digitized in stereo. I played it back in mono - which is what I always do with mono LPs - and also created new files with the "Isolate Center" feature. I think the latter is better. It removes more of the background noise, inner-groove distortion, and other L/R anomalies. This will be my preferred method of digitizing mono LPs.

Glad it worked out for you. Which ADC did you use and what was the resolution?

During playback, can you tell a difference between the analog original and the digitized version of that original?

Originally Posted by Mike B.

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I do all my record transfers using 24/96 and it sounds excellent.

Same here.

Originally Posted by nicoff

Glad it worked out for you. Which ADC did you use and what was the resolution?

During playback, can you tell a difference between the analog original and the digitized version of that original?

I was only recently experimenting with the "isolate center" feature, but I was using some older dubs I did using a free-standing CD-R recorder that was part of my stereo setup. I no longer have it.

I am in the market for a trade-up. What do you recommend?

Originally Posted by Bongo Beater

I was only recently experimenting with the "isolate center" feature, but I was using some older dubs I did using a free-standing CD-R recorder that was part of my stereo setup. I no longer have it.

I am in the market for a trade-up. What do you recommend?

I have used a Focusrite Scarlett 212 USB audio interface for the task. It will do 96/24 and works great.

However, I just ordered an RME Babyface Pro FS to replace it as I am exploring doing analog ADC in real time.

If you don’t need balanced XLR to connect from your phono preamp to the USB audio interface box you can find cheaper options.

Originally Posted by nicoff

I have used a Focusrite Scarlett 212 USB audio interface for the task. It will do 96/24 and works great.

However, I just ordered an RME Babyface Pro FS to replace it as I am exploring doing analog ADC in real time.

If you don’t need balanced XLR to connect from your phono preamp to the USB audio interface box you can find cheaper options.

Thank you, I will look into these!