Review: Ion USB Turntable peripheral

Until now, the easiest way to get vinyl music onto a computer, CD or MP3 player was to connect a hi-fi to a sound card. However, if both components aren't in striking distance of each other, this could mean heaving a desktop computer to the front room or using a (very) long audio cable to connect the two.

Thankfully, there's a better solution; the Ion USB Turntable. Simply connect it to a free USB port, install the accompanying Audacity music software and convert those jive-busting LPs without a hi-fi (or bad back) in sight.

Although larger than a traditional hi-fi turntable (48 x 38 x 13cm), the USB Turntable works like any other. Put record on the platter, lower the needle and press the start button.

There are phono cables to connect it to an amplifier, which allows you to hear what you're cueing up. Alternately, sound can be passed through the computer and out of headphones connected to the soundcard or speakers.

The turntable can play both 33 1/3 and 45 rpm speeds and there's even an option in the Audacity software to convert 78 records into digital music files. However, a separate 78 stylus will be needed for this, which isn't supplied.

The accompanying instruction manual is very clear about how to set up the turntable and software and explains how to splice continuous recordings into individual tracks, save tracks as WAV, MP3 and Ogg Vorbis files, and troubleshoot any basic problems.

It also explains how to record vinyl at high speed and use the software to convert it into normal speed. Essentially, this means recording a 33 1/3 track at 45 rpm and using Audacity to automatically correct tempo and pitch. It works a treat and could save hours when recording a large batch of music. Audiophiles will probably wince at the minimal compromise in audio quality, though.

Unless you like the authentic hiss, crackle and pop of vinyl, there's additional software to clean it up, unfortunately though, it's only a demo.

The cartridge (stylus needle) supplied with the turntable isn’t of the greatest quality but the recordings we made were fine. The cartridge can be swapped with another if audio quality is of prime concern, though.

Tone arm weighting and anti-skating can be adjusted if the needle can't find the groove properly and there's a gain dial on the back to change the level of volume sent to the computer.

Another nice touch is the stereo line-input for attaching external analogue sources such as cassette tapes and mini-disc players. Once a device is connected (cable not included), the turntable acts as a pre-amp to send sound to the computer, which can then be recorded just like vinyl.

On the negative slant, the turntable's light weight means only a slight knock is needed for the record to jump. It could also be argued that because the device is belt driven, it takes longer for the platter to react to the start button. However, for the job in hand - playing vinyl tracks to be recorded - it's not an issue.

Compared to buying a £5 phono cable to run between your existing hi-fi and computer, the Ion USB Turntable's £120 price tag is extravagant. Audacity is freely available on the web and isn't bespoke software that's specially designed for the turntable.

It does the job but would have impressed us more if recordings were started and stopped by the turntable's start/stop button, rather than having to manually fiddle around on-screen.

The turntable is compatible with the Mac operating system and Linux but won't work with Windows Media Centre Edition.

If you haven't got a record player and want to transfer old music to new formats, the Ion USB Turntable will do just that and connect to a hi-fi for normal playback too.

It's incredibly easy to set up and relinquishes the need for trailing wires or lugging computers into the front room (unless you have a laptop). However, if you're already converting music from vinyl, it will be difficult to justify the extra expense.

Also consider:
Magix Audio Cleaning Lab 11 XXL
Overall: Magix Audio Cleaning Lab 11 XXL is a one-stop-shop for converting analogue vinyl and cassette tracks into digital formats.
Rating: 4
Price: £50

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