I grew up in a house filled with vinyl records, demonstrating every genre from the likes of Cat Stevens to Alice Cooper. Vinyl is an intrinsic part of my childhood, and although I am traditionally labeled as part of the “iPod Generation,” I find an appreciation and affinity with the classic music I listened to as a kid.
There are a million iPod-compatible devices out there, but this is why the Ion LP to iPod converter caught my eye. It’s a pricey piece of equipment, at about $250, but its merits arrive when considering the amount of vinyl I own verses the cost of re-purchasing all those albums. Instead the Ion easily converts my old collection into a form a use everyday- MP3.
Operation is easy, just hit “Record” on the EZ Vinyl Converter and let your album play> remember to hit “New Track” at the end of each song, and when you’re done your songs automatically go to iTunes where you can take advantage of the Gracenote database system, which identifies and labels your music as it’s imported (one of my favorite time-saving features of iTunes.)
Made specifically to fit the iPod, the converter can also play your LPs as well as convert directly to your PC (Windows XP or Vista) or Mac (OS X 10.3.9 or later) with the included software, which helps eliminate the imperfections on older LPs like pops, scratches and hisses.
Made specifically to fit the iPod, the converter can also play your LPs as well as convert directly to your PC (Windows XP or Vista) or Mac (OS X 10.3.9 or later) with the included software, which helps eliminate the imperfections on older LPs like pops, scratches and hisses.
Ion is actually well-known for their LP-to-MP3 conversion tools, but with this model the built in iPod dock makes getting your tunes quicker and easier. Of course there are system requirements for the iPod to work with the table. Fifth Generation iPods or 2nd Generation Nanos, as well as the iPhone and iPod Touch are all compatible. The iPod Shuffle models are not, however. Included with the turntable is also a 1/8″ RCA output cable for hooking up to your stereo system, a USB cable for your computer and related recording software.
Of course the Ion is just one of a number of LP converters, but the built-in iPod dock makes it that much easier to put your classic favorites back on your playlist, quickly and easily.
I am an junior English major/ Philosophy minor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Currently I am spending the spring of 2009 studying at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.
