How can I connect my stereo to my iMac G5 to convert music to mp3s?

Absolutely.

You need an interface, like the Griffin iMic and use their included Final Vinyl software.

Depends on your set-up really.

A free option would be to connect directly from your stereo's line-out to the Mac's line-in (you could also go from the stereo's headphone socket as well if you like - I use the Tape-out myself as I've got hi-fi separates). You just need to use the correct phono/jack lead.

Then you could use GarageBand to record a track and export it to iTunes, or you could use something like Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

I used CD Spin Doctor which comes with Toast 6 (I think it still does with Toast 7). This software was incredibly useful as you can record the whole LP and it then works out where each track starts and finishes and automatically splits up the tracks for you. It also has various sound enhancement options for scratched LPs etc.

Check out the options under 'Hear it' : http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/featuresnewimproved.jhtml

Are you wanting to do this cheap or do it well?

The cheapest, fastest way I can think of is to use an Stereo RCA to Stereo miniplug cable from your receiver to the iMac. For software use Audion which is now freeware at http://www.panic.com/audion. The reason I suggest Audion is that it can encode directly to MP3 from your line input.

The better-quality way to go is to get Toast 7 which is bundled with Spin Doctor 3 to record your music. Spin Doctor lets you record the entire album and later separate it to individual tracks. It also has noise filters for cleaning up the sound. The files are AIFF but you can use iTunes to convert them to MP3.

Instead of using the iMac's audio line input you could get a Griffin iMic which brings in the audio via USB. Griffin claims it sounds better than using a Mac's audio line input, but I don't know if that's the case.

20" G5 iMac iSight, 14" G4 iBook Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Dear Saganth,

I'm always surprised when people do not know of this company.

Go to Xitel.com, and look at the In-Port. Xitel makes a lot of audio related stuff for Sony.

The In-Port taps into your R & L (stereo) RCA output from your receiver, which then feeds into the In-Port (little silver box), and from that runs a single cable into your computer's usb port. Xitel even supplies you with a high quality 30ft rca cable to make the install complete. All costs around 50-60 bucks!!

Quality is Awesome, as recorded cassetts or LP's sound better than the originals.

I've been doing this for the last 1 1/2 years. Burn to the HD, then to a CD if you want. It's great.

And yes, it's MAC compatable.

Good luck,

Applejam

I am sure that the Xitel is nice, but it is $70 and comes with software that is not Mac compatible.

Why not get the Griffin iMic which is $40 and comes with Mac software?

OK, I agree Eric.

And my apologies for my earlier post regarding Xitel's product. I re-checked it and it's not MAC compatable.

Now, he is still going to need a program that can insert tracks, and fade out's and fade in's. What do you suggest Eric? Xitel came with that neat feature.

I tried Audacity, but it kept screwing with my MIDI sound output settings. Switching it from 44100.0 Hz to the highest setting. Then other apps. had no sound ie: XM on-line radio, Steve Job's newest keynote address, Windows Media Player for MAC etc. Had to go in and reset to 44100 Hz.

Plus, you'll need a way to import the recorded song to iTunes right?

And lastly, you can get that Griffin cable for $27.99 at onsale.com. A very pretty white I might add.

Applejam

Now, he is still going to need a program that can
insert tracks, and fade out's and fade in's. What do
you suggest Eric? Xitel came with that neat
feature.

Eric may suggest others, but some good applications for marking and separating individual tracks are the above-mention CD Spin Doctor (bundled with Toast or Roxio's Boom Box) along with Final Vinyl that is free with the Griffin iMic, Sound Studio and, I believe, Bias Peak. I've never used Audacity.

Just to add that I agree with Thomas that if you want to get good results you'd be better spending some money and using a dedicated interface and software.

(I've not used Audacity myself but saw it recommended on the GarageBand forum, that's why I mentioned it as a free option).

My old G4 didn't have a line-in so I bought the Edirol UA-1A. It's made by Roland so you get pro-audio results. It's limited to 16 bit recording and up to 48KHz sampling but I find it gets excellent results. It also has RCA inputs so you can connect directly to the RCA outputs on your stereo.

It's now discontinued in favour of the UA-1X which also has S/PDIF output: http://www.roland.com/products/en/UA-1X/index.html


iMac G5 20" 2GHz 1.5GB Mac OS X (10.4.3) iPod Photo 40GB

I have heard that Final Vinyl and Toast can do the separation, but I use MP3 Trimmer to fade in and out. I do not have either Final Vinyl or Toast Titanium, so I cannot vouch for their ability to do the fades. I already own MP3 Trimmer, so I am not looking for that feature in the audio software anymore. I didn't think I needed it until now - LOL!

On a side note applejam, could you give me a hand with my thread about XM Radio online?

I'm also using a Mac G5 and and an Imic to convert music tapes to a Cd (hopefully) but although it shows that the music is being transferred there is no sound coming from the Mac. Of course once the wiring is set up there is no sound coming from the stereo tape deck either. It is set up as follows: it's connected directly from my stereo's line-out to the Mac's line-in.
Can anyone advise me as to why I am not getting the sound from my Mac.?
I'd be happy just to even get a regular cd not an mp3. but in some cases the mp3 would be nice.
Thanks
Stella

oh just go download the songs, you already bought the album obviously. downloading music from the net via file sharing bit torrent or websites is fine in my book. (if you buy the album or it's live/stuff that doesn't exist on release, anyone disagree?) think of all the deadhead sharers and the pearl jamheads of today. so save your money and time and just download it. the only reason not to is if you want that vinyl sound, which i do love.

i'm sure i'm gonna get some flak for this...

But what about the personal satisfaction of a job well done?

Actually I have done this and while it might be in the "grey area" of the DCMA, I feel the same as you. I already own it, I just want it in a different format.

I am no lawyer, but I do not see anything wrong with just downloading it. Be sure to keep the vinyl around though.

wow, i expected a hateful reply to my post, thanks for the kindness. tow points:
1. yes, lets keep vinyl alive
2. the job well done is to be respected, i just wouldn't spend money and/or hours doing something if i could get it faster/free. if he wanted lossless files i'd see the point too, but he wants mp3's. (that's not going against what eric wrote, i rather enjoyed his post) but ya, the guy has bought the album, so i don't think he should spend money on expensive programs but like royal tenenbaum said "that's just one man's opinion." and that's all my two cents

Saganth

You could use QT if you have pro or some of the other free software people have suggested but I'm not sure you'll achieve much with any outboard hardware unless you're going to get into stuff costing more that a couple of hundred dollars/euro as according to this
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/Hardware/DeveloperNotes/Macintosh_CPUs-G5/iMacG5_May05/03_Input-Output/chapter_4_section15.html

the iMacG5 now supports up to 24bit/96khz recording from the line in. Dont quote me on this but I think it's the first Mac that has supported sample rates higher than the standard 16bit/44khz. You can then do your editing and fades etc and convert easily to mp3, aac or aiff(for burning to CD) in iTunes.

Simon