Many of Audio-Technica's turntables offer the option to digitise your favourite albums via USB. These include AT-LP120XBT-USB, AT-LP120XUSB, AT-LP5X, and the AT-LP60XUSB.

In order to transfer your tracks to a Windows 11 laptop or PC you will need an app to capture the recording. If you don't already own such software then we recommend using Audacity, a free recording programme. To set up your turntable with Audacity, install the latest version of the software from the following link: http://www.audacityteam.org/download/

 

Installing Audacity

Once you have downloaded the latest version, find the Audacity installer in your downloads folder, or wherever you chose to download it to on your computer. Double click the icon to start the process.

 

You will be prompted to choose a language for the install process. Select your preference from the drop-down menu.

 

The setup wizard will open next asking you to shut down any open apps. Click Next to continue once you have done so.

 

You will then be presented with some important information. Click Next after reading.

 

Next, you will be prompted to choose a destination folder for the installation. If you don't want to use the default, click Browse and select the desired folder. Click Next when ready to continue.

 

You will then be prompted to choose some additional tasks. Select the tasks you wish to happen during the install process, then click Next.

 

The next screen recaps your choices. Click Install if you're happy with your choices.

 

Once the installation is complete you will be presented with this final screen. Check the Launch Audacity box if you want the app to open immediately. Click Finish.

 

 

Setting up Audacity

On opening Audacity for the first time you will be shown the welcome splash screen. This shows you where you can seek assistance to help you operate the app. If you don't want this to pop up every time you boot Audacity, check the box in the bottom left corner. Click OK.

 

On the main menu bar select Preferences (ctrl+P) from the Edit menu.

 

Select the Audio Settings option from the left-hand menu. Make sure the Host is set to MME, and select your output device from the Playback section.

 

Next, from the Recording section, select your turntable. In this example it is called Line (USB AUDIO CODEC). Depending on your turntable, yours may differ but it will reference the USB Audio Codec in its description.

 

From the same page you can now choose in the Quality section. 48000 Hz and 16-bit is quite common these days, though you may wish to choose 44,100 Hz if you want smaller file sizes. This lower resolution was the quality used by the CD format for many years, so it will still sound great.

 

Select the Recording option from the left-hand menu. Check the Software playthrough of input box. This will allow you to hear the record you are digitsing through your chosen output.

 

Select Quality from the left-hand menu and in the Real-time Conversion section make sure the Sample Rate Converter is set to Medium Quality and the Dither is set to None. In the High-quality Conversion section, set the Sample Rate Converter to Best Quality (Slowest) and the Dither to Shaped. Click OK.

 

 

Windows 11 Audio Settings

Open the Settings App and choose System on the left-hand menu. You can find this app by using the search function on the bottom taskbar. Choose the Sound option on main part of the screen.

 

Next click on your output device in the Output section. In this example it is called Speakers.

 

On the next screen, in the Output settings section choose your resolution from the drop-down menu. Make sure that this matches the audio resolution you've chosen in Audacity.

 

Return to the Sound screen and select your input device from the Input section. In this example it is simply called Line.

 

Again, select the corresponding audio resolution from the drop down menu, ensuring it matches what you have chosen in Audacity.

 

You should now be ready to start digitising your precious vinyl collection. If you need any help using Audacity, then please refer to this article for more help.