USB Turntable Issue

Question

Level 1

10 points

USB Turntable Issue

Hi,
I have an iMac, and I'm running OS X 10.6.5. I'm trying to use an Audio Technica USB turntable to convert LPs to MP3. I used this turntable on my old PC, it connected fine, and I had no issues. However I recently switched to Mac, and my iMac is not recognizing the turntable when I plug it into the USB slot. I know for a fact that it's not the USB port on my computer because it works for other devices. I highly doubt it's the cable, as it worked fine on my PC, and the record player has been sitting in a closet untouched for about a year. Has anyone else experienced an issue like this? Is there something I need to install in order to use my turntable?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Nov 30, 2010 10:19 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

418,903 points

Nov 30, 2010 10:29 AM in response to B_D0926

You may need a Mac driver for the turntable. Such a driver may or may not exist.

Edit:

Which model is this? I did a search and found, for example, [http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/turntables/583f30b3a8662772/index.html> You will need to use software such as Audacity to do the recording and probably also use your system sound settings preferences to switch input to the USB turntable.

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Answer 2

B_D0926 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 30, 2010 10:41 AM in response to Limnos

I know that the turntable is made to be used on both PC and Mac, it came with Cakewalk for PCs and Audacity for Macs. I installed Audacity, but when I plug the turntable into the usb port, the turntable is not being recognized by my computer. Nothing pops up on the desktop, and in Audacity, I do not have the option to record with a usb device. I'm not at home right now, but I believe the turntable model is model LP2D.

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Answer 3

WPLJ42

Level 1

19 points

Nov 30, 2010 10:41 AM in response to B_D0926

You probably need to go into the audio section of System Preferences and switch the audio input to your USB TT. I use a PC now, and one day will forget how to use a Mac. For now I can say, my USB TT did not need any special driver and worked flawlessly with GarageBand and Audacity once I switched the audio input.

Jim

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Answer 4

Limnos

Level 10

418,903 points

Nov 30, 2010 10:50 AM in response to B_D0926

I installed Audacity, but when I plug the turntable into the usb port, the turntable is not being recognized by my computer. Nothing pops up on the desktop

I did recording but did it all a different way. I haven't used your equipment so I am not speaking from direct experience.

I am not sure your turntable will appear on the desktop. If I plug my camera into my computer by USB it does not appear on the desktop but there are various Mac and manufacturer utilities that do see it.

As I mentioned before, you may have to change your sound input settings in the sound preferences pane. I refer you to page 15 of the manual that can be downloaded at: [http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/turntables/8b88447e3530f153/index.html> 😉

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Answer 5

B_D0926 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 30, 2010 10:58 AM in response to Limnos

Are you talking about system preferences on my mac or in audacity. I read the manual and saw that you need to change recording devices to USB audio Codec in Audacity. However when I tried that, USB audio codec was not available as an option.

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Answer 6

WPLJ42

Level 1

19 points

Nov 30, 2010 12:29 PM in response to B_D0926

Oops! Limnos already mentioned what I had to say. I simply missed it. You do need to go into your Mac OS audio settings and select the USB turntable as your audio input device. You can only have one audio input device at a time. I am guessing it is currently set to the built-in microphone or the line-in on the back of the machine. When you change the audio input in System Preferences, it will globally change in your other apps. I have a basic ION USB turntable. It does not mount to the Mac desktop, since it is not a USB storage device. Basically, it is like a USB keyboard or mouse, a passive input device.

Jim

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Answer 7

Limnos

Level 10

418,903 points

Nov 30, 2010 12:34 PM in response to WPLJ42

What WPLJ42 said that I said. 🙂

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Answer 8

B_D0926 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 30, 2010 12:36 PM in response to Limnos

Hhaha thanks for your help guys. I'll give this a try.

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Answer 9

B_D0926 Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 2, 2010 1:10 PM in response to B_D0926

Hi,
So I tried changing my sound options, for input, the only options were built mic and line in input. In Audacity, the only options were built in mic and built in line input. There were no options for USB device. I've emailed Audio Technica for help, and here's what they came back with:

This sounds like the USB audio codec, which is part of the operating system, is missing. I suggest that you contact the folks at Apple to find out if there is a download for this.

Does this make sense to you?

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Answer 10

B_D0926 Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 3, 2010 10:35 AM in response to B_D0926

Problem Solved. I checked out another thread with a similar issue, and the responses said to go into the system libary, and under extensions, look for a yamaha codec and delete it. I did that and rebooted my computer, and now USB audio shows up in input for my sound preferences.

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Answer 11

WPLJ42

Level 1

19 points

Dec 4, 2010 3:31 PM in response to B_D0926

My iMac came with Tiger and an upgrade to Leopard. I later upgraded to Snow Leopard, but removed it. So I was a Leopard kinda guy. My ION USB turntable just worked. It would be interesting to know if there is a glitch in Snow Leopard with regard to USB audio devices.

Glad you solved the issue! You mentioned Audacity, and that is a great program. A drawback with USB versus analog audio from the TT, is USB levels are fixed. Clipping may occur, and digital audio HATES clipping. If you haven't used Garage Band, do check it out. It is the best software I've ever used!

I returned to Windows because of poor eyesight. I really miss apps like Garage Band. It can do just about anything.

Jim

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