Gemini DJ TT1100-USB Phono Turntable for PC

While most records have already been re-issued as CD discs, there are many that have been missed. Your record collection may include some priceless recordings that have been overlooked by music publishers and recording manufacturers. In some, albeit rare circumstances, new performers have begun releasing recordings onto vinyl records as well as CD’s. Now Gemini-DJ offers a quality belt drive turntable that lets you play records through any stereo system or, better yet, transfer tracks as files to a computer. Not withstanding the debate whether analog records are superior to digital recordings, it’d be nice to continue appreciating your records while preserving them for future generations.

It’s a 3-speed, DJ-quality, belt-drive turntable for playing standard records but the Gemini TT1100/USB, from the Gemini DJ division, also adds a USB port and line adapter. That means you can take tracks from records and transfer them to your PC. Once there, you can convert those tracks to MP3 and WMA files.

Simply use the included USB Cable to connect your turntable to your computer. The USB connection will provide audio from the turntable and stereo input to your computer. You may wish to install and use the included AUDACITY software (PC and Mac), which allows you to take advantage of advanced audio editing features, such as audio normalization, noise removal and automatic track separation.

When using as a turntable for your stereo system, you may note that most new stereo systems and receivers do not have a specific Phono input jack. There is a switch on the back panel, next to the RCA cables, that selects between PHONO/LINE. Select PHONO for plugging into a turntable input on a home stereo. Use the LINE level for plugging into CD/AUX/TAPE inputs. The Line selector triggers a special, built-in, pre-amp that allows connection to an auxiliary input port.

While the Gemini TT1100/USB has speed selectors for 33 and 45-RPM records, you can also play those older 78 RPM recordings by pressing 45 and 33 simultaneously. The turntable also includes a spindle adapter to accept the large-hole 45-RPM singles.

Also included are a headshell, cartridge, and stylus so you can listen to records right away.

The mainline purpose, I believe, is to be able to convert precious analog recordings to digital versions on your PC or Macintosh computer. Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. Audacity can record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or digitize recordings from cassette tapes, vinyl records, or minidiscs. Audacity lets you Import sound files, edit them, and combine them with other files or new recordings. Export your recordings in several common file formats, including MP3 and WMA. This software also includes a rather copious menu of editing and special effect functions to help eliminate unwanted noise, scratches, and other variants.

While the debate lingers whether digital recordings are superior to analog records, the reality is that most music is listened through digital media players like iPods. The Gemini TT1100/USB offers you the choice of listening to records through your stereo sound system or transfer the recording to a computer. It’s all about providing the opportunity to choose. As generations progress, it’s nice to preserve recordings for continued appreciation. That’s why the Gemini TT1100/USB is a worthy audio component and computer peripheral.

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