VinylStudio Pro Review -- The Best Way To Rip Vinyl For DJs?

[@Wanderlust]

*Great video!*

[@paulnatics299]

Hi Wanderlust

[@digitaldjtips]

Thank you very much!

[@KevGee]

I use Adobe audition. It has the same features including crackle removal, mastering. I have ripped ALOT of vinyl over the years. And to get a good quality rip. You need to prep. The first question I ask myself before ripping a record is - can you not get it digitally already? A properly mastered digi file will always be better than a vinyl rip. Then step 2. Cleaning the record. Is the record battered? If so then don't bother as no amount of editing/mastering will save it. Step 3 - equipment. Is the equipment of a good standard. I rip all my records using an ortofon elite cartridge with a good condition stylus. Don't bother ripping vinyl if your using a knackered old Stanton 500AL. Record the record with all levels at 12OC and max dB of between -7 -5db. This gives you some room to boost levels in mastering without clipping. After all this. I use Adobe audition to clean up crackles and apply mastering. Then after all this....wonder why I did all this and should have bought it digitally!!!

[@BCThunderthud]

I think I might give this a shot because the pricing for Audition is a bit high to use casually. I bought RX 8 a while back and it does well for cleaning things up but the markers and regions aren't as nice as Audition. I think this with its Discogs integration, combined with that, might be a good, inexpensive solution.

[@digitaldjtips]

Step 1 is the most important of all!

[@georgeprice4212]

The thing about ripping from vinyl is that even though there may be a Digital version of the track, it may not have enough volume to it, such as first CD issues on The Association or Buffalo Springfield.

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

I’m on the opposite side wanting to vinylize my digital track collection

[@JONQPiD]

Come to Canada. .. or send it off to get expensively pressed.

[@digitaldjtips]

We've all been there - I still collect records!

[@danxnation2159]

You can get individual records carved for I think around £30 each

[@ScantSquad]

@@danxnation2159small collection of 500 will cost £15000

[@jasonlegister2277]

Looks really good. Think i'm going to make an investment. Thanks for the review.

[@digitaldjtips]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@MRSHAKEOFFICIAL]

I wish I had that 20 years ago 😮😮😮

[@digitaldjtips]

Me too!

[@AT-wl9yq]

For best results, I would add a couple of things. First, I wouldn't use a DJ phono cart to make the recordings. Its not what they're made for. You don't have to spend a lot of money, but I would definitely get one made for listening, and not DJ use. Get the lowest output cartridge your budget allows for and you should be fine. Also, I'm assuming you'll be looking at a MM or high output MC phono carts. Anything with a lower output and you'll need to get a new phono preamp, and is not necessary for this application. One other thing that applies to not only this discussion, but to many others, as well, is gain and volume. Its absolutely critical that you know the difference between a gain control and a volume control. This applies to recording vinyl, but also any time you're setting up equipment. If you're one of those people that do things like setting all your knobs at 12:00, or something similar, this applies to you. Volume and gain controls are not clocks. You put them where they need to be, and here's why. A volume control can't distort the signal. Only a gain control can. If you don't know the difference, you may get it acceptable results by playing with all the levels, but its no substitute for just knowing how to set them properly. Its a pretty big topic, and can't be dealt with in a post like this. Just look for some reference material on gain staging and you'll be fine. This is something every DJ needs to know.

[@bboymac84]

Yup

[@digitaldjtips]

All good advice! We mention the cartridge tip in the associated ripping vinyl guide over on the website.

[@AT-wl9yq]

@@digitaldjtips Thanks. I've been noticing all the different things you're involved in. DJ, teaching, reviews, live streams, running a business, and a bunch of other stuff. You have to be working 7 days a week. And the quality of it all is always professional. You have high standards that never slip. You must really love what you do. I don't think you could pull it off any other way.

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks, we appreciate that. you're right we love what we do, but no, we don't work 7 days a week - far from it. Life's too short! 👍@@AT-wl9yq

[@SherwinBajao]

Since the SW knows the length of the song, it should move the ending marker when you move the beginning marker.

[@digitaldjtips]

It actually can, I did it slightly wrong and made it a bit harder for myself.

[@Shariusmusic]

a good Thing to digital the owning Vinyl Collection, but maybe it has to be said , that mostly the Digital Result is terrible in terms of Beatgrid ! Cause most People use their dj Slipmat under the Vinyl instead of using the original Rubber Mat! with the Dj Slipmat the Wow & Flutter becomes much more bigger . And i would recommend always when possible to use a Technics SL 1210 Mk 2 or MK 5 (ideally a refurbished one ) they are the most accurate Turntables out there ! about the mk 7 i can’t say something, not testet yet.

[@djsubculture2786]

Or a 1200GR if you have access to one.

[@nandobelt8687]

I’d recommend m5g with Shute 97xe cart. Best be Mr v15. Yes rubber mat also.

[@leaveempty5320]

I've only ever recorded old white label stuff (using Audacity), but no one wants to hear it any more! Nice workflow though. Would be cool if you could play 33's at 45 or 78 and have it correct the recording.

[@digitaldjtips]

Not sure if that is possible, but it could be.

[@leaveempty5320]

@@digitaldjtips In audacity "Effect" > "Change Speed,...." saves loads of time.

[@funklat1]

Nice video Phil. Interested to know if there are any other better alternative to this vinyl studio software

[@digitaldjtips]

This is the best overall we've found, and the one we use.

[@georgeprice4212]

Cool 😎 I now have to replace my stylus

[@paulsanders860]

@@georgeprice4212 🤣🤣🤣 (disclosure: I am AlpineSoft in disguise - VinylStudio is what I do - just taking a quick nose round to see what people are saying about the software. Liking what I see. Happy digitising, all! More power to you. 🙂)

[@georgeprice4212]

@@paulsanders860 thanks 😊…I actually know where to get the stylus, it’s just hit and miss as to whether the site has them!

[@Nutzo247]

This software is amazing.... But for the audio interface could I use my controller and import the sound via usb?

[@digitaldjtips]

Yes of course, as long as it can accept a turntable

[@splitthebill6578]

Was wondering if you managed to work out how to do this? I’m trying to link up my XDJ-RX2 to Vinyl Studio without using an audio interface - any tips?

[@Nutzo247]

@@splitthebill6578 it works with my Rane Four as it picks up the audio either as a channel pass through or the ASIO driver... I don't know about XDJ-RX2

[@Nutzo247]

@@splitthebill6578 Yes I managed to get it working with my Rane Four... The software recognises the audio either by the audio channels pass through or via the ASIO driver. Make sure that the channel on the controller has been set to phono and select the source via software.

[@djstevieo]

That UI looks like it’s 1999 again

[@digitaldjtips]

For sure! It doesn't affect the use though

[@paulsanders860]

Doesn't it just 🙂

[@GenreFluid]

Does this work with usb turntables?

[@digitaldjtips]

Yes

[@RenatoHarripaul1217]

👍👍👍

[@horace650]

Audacity will do exactly the same thing, and it's free!

[@digitaldjtips]

It won’t do exactly the same thing, although you can achieve the same results with it albeit with a little bit more fiddling and a lot more time