Vinyl Digitizing Issues - Audio 8 & Audacity

[The Freedomist]

Greetz Hijack,

I've recently decided to digitize my record collection to use with my Traktor setup before they deteriorate further, I understand that this is a case of simply plugging my turntable into the 1/2 IN channel on my Audio 8 external soundcard and recording using Audacity with the appropriate recording inputs selected?

I've done that and run into a slight problem... When I press record the signal appears to come through rather quietly, the waveform produced is really really small and overly quiet when played back. I've tried remedying this by upping the microphone input level in Audacity which allows the recording to come out at a sort-of normal volume (though the waveform is still ridiculously small), however it also causes a large amount of hiss/hum.

Could this be due to something I haven't done correctly yet, a ground loop, or is my computer simply a pile of shite? I understand that the Audio 8 contains phono pre-amps, so I'm a bit confused as to why the signal is so weak...

I'm starting to think it may be my computer and not the recording process as such, as the hiss/hum comes through on my mixer when I pump up the channel that it's playing back through even when the recording isn't playing back... Also, when I plug my headphones into one of the headphone sockets on the computer I can also hear shitloads of weird computery noises when the mouse is moving or the hard drive is working etc...

Any thoughts anyone? Cheers in advance...

[Block Party]

The Audio 8 says it has optional phono preamps (here http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/native-instruments-audio-8-dj-audio-interface-for-djs--38321) so I'm not sure if you definitely have them on it, or if you do, do you need to set up a software switch to activate them? I would check you manual.

If you don't have the option, you will need an RIAA pre-amp between your deck and interface, which you will find in a normal DJ mixer or you purchase a stand alone one.

http://www.htfr.com/p/197520/deejay_pre_ii_phono_preamp This is a widely recommend one, but you can find cheaper ones like this

http://www.htfr.com/p/279228/soundlab_preamplifier_phono_turntable_preamplifier which can be found for less than HTFR have it.

[Block Party]

http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87406 This thread indicate that 1/2 & 3/4 are switchable between line and phono. I suspect this is done in the software.

[The Freedomist]

Yeah, turns out it was a case of looking at the software control panel and turning up the phono input gains, many thanks for the tip. 

[Block Party]

No problem. I'm glad you have got it sorted.