The process in brief
Transferring vinyl to CD is a two-stage job. First you record the record into a computer as a digital file, then you burn that audio onto a blank disc. The recording happens in real time, so allow roughly the length of the record plus editing time.
What you need
- A turntable in good condition, with a clean stylus. Some turntables have a built-in USB output; others need an adapter.
- A phono preamp, unless your turntable or USB interface includes one. A turntable’s output is too quiet and uncorrected for a normal line input.
- An audio interface or USB turntable, to get the signal into the computer. Avoid plugging a turntable directly into a computer’s microphone input.
- Recording software. Audacity is a popular free choice.
- A computer with a CD burner, or an external USB burner, and blank CD-R discs.
Step 1: Clean the record
Dust and dirt will be recorded along with the music. Clean the record with a carbon fibre brush or another record cleaning method, and check that the stylus is clean.
Step 2: Connect the equipment
Connect the turntable to the phono preamp, and the preamp to your interface or computer. With a USB turntable, plug it into the computer and choose it as the input in your recording software. Make sure the turntable’s output matches the preamp’s input type.
Step 3: Record
- Select the recording input in your software and choose a sample rate. For a CD, 44.1 kHz is the usual target. Many people record at a higher bit depth, such as 24-bit, and convert later.
- Do a test: play the loudest part of the record and watch the level meter. Keep peaks below clipping and leave some headroom.
- Start recording, lower the stylus and let the entire side play.
- Stop recording at the end, then repeat for the other side.
Step 4: Edit and split tracks
Trim silence at the start and end, and place label markers between songs. Software tools can detect gaps automatically, but check the results by ear. You can optionally reduce clicks, but heavy noise reduction can dull the sound, so apply it sparingly.
Step 5: Export and burn
Export each track as a lossless file such as WAV, at 44.1 kHz and 16-bit if you are converting down from a higher setting. Then use burning software to create an audio CD rather than a data CD, as most CD players need the audio format. Standard CD-R discs typically hold around 74 to 80 minutes, so check your running times. A single LP is usually well within that, but a double album may need two discs.
Alternative: a standalone CD recorder
Some standalone CD recorders and combination hi-fi units can record directly from a line-level source onto a disc. These are less common today, and the editing options are more limited than on a computer.
Is vinyl the same as a CD?
No. A record stores sound as a physical groove and is played with a stylus. A CD stores digital data that is read by a laser. After a transfer, your CD holds a digital copy of how the record sounded at the time, including any noise on the record. See vinyl vs digital for how these formats differ.
Is it legal?
Copyright rules differ by country, and this is not legal advice. In some places, copying music you own for personal use is treated differently from distributing it, but that is not true everywhere. Check the laws that apply where you live, and do not share or sell copies.
Troubleshooting
- Too quiet or too loud: adjust the input gain, and confirm you are using a phono preamp.
- Hum or buzz: check grounding and keep cables away from power adapters.
- Distorted sound: lower the input level and check the stylus and cartridge.
- Skips in the recording: clean the record, and check that the tonearm is balanced and set up properly.
Understanding the limits of the format may also help. Our article on the vinyl record frequency range explains what a record can and cannot carry.