ION LP2CD

Records can be digitised directly on the device, without needing a computer during burning. The ION LP2CD is a belt-drive turntable with an integrated CD burner and USB audio interface. Recordings are initially stored in the internal flash memory; from there, you can check them and burn them to an audio CD-R or transfer them to a Mac or PC via USB. Digitisation with or without a computer

The turntable supports 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm and has a tonearm with a pre-mounted cartridge. You can also adjust the playback speed using the pitch control. The device can also be used as a CD player; CD tracks can be copied to the internal memory. Three speeds with pitch control

When recording to CD, the LP2CD first records to its 1 GB internal flash memory. You can then check the tracks and, if necessary, split them again before burning. The automatic Track Split function detects pauses between songs and inserts track markers; alternatively, you can set these manually. According to the user manual, the memory holds around 80 minutes of music and a maximum of 99 tracks. Burning is carried out at up to 12x speed, exclusively on blank audio CD-Rs.

You can also record external audio sources such as cassette players via the rear Line In inputs. The Phono/Line switch selects the source, and the recording level can be adjusted on the device. The turntable and Line In source cannot be recorded simultaneously. The RCA Line Out outputs connect the LP2CD to a stereo system; a headphone output with volume control is available for direct monitoring. Recording external Line sources

Via USB, the device transfers audio to a Mac or PC at 16-bit and 44.1 kHz. The package includes EZ Vinyl Converter 2 for PC and EZ Audio Converter for Mac; the PC software can identify track information using Gracenote MusicID, while you enter this manually in the Mac programme. Audacity is used for recording and editing, for example to remove noise and crackle. USB audio at 16-bit and 44.1 kHz

The LP2CD requires a USB port on the computer. The stated minimum requirements include a 500 MHz Pentium and QuickTime 7.1.6 under Windows XP or Vista; on Mac, OS X 10.3.9 and a 500 MHz G3. For both platforms, at least 256 MB RAM, 250 MB of free hard drive space and a CD-ROM drive are required. An internet connection is needed for Gracenote. Older Windows and Mac systems

This makes the LP2CD suitable for digitising a record collection to audio CD-R or on a computer, as well as for playing records and CDs. The three speeds, internal memory, Line In inputs and included software support a range of recording methods. For vinyl and CD archiving