Golden Records for Mac User Reviews
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"Not ready for prime time"
Version: Golden Records 1.41
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Sorry, although Golden is a promising product you should we warned: Early October 2009 it is still not ready to use.
The concept, the features is just what you need if you want to digitize your vinyl records from an USB gramophone to your computer to burn CD's or to include into iTunes.
The problem is that Golden has not been tested and does not work on Leopard and Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6).
This is due to the application not being able to write the digitized files to disk. Probably because of either path problems or privileges.
You should think that a problem like this would be solved at once. But the support- and helpline system of Golden Records is defunct.
They claim that if you do not pay extra for getting answers to technical issues like this you will have wait until the extra-paid-support-questions are solved. It seems that it is taking Golden Records quite a while to resolve the paid-for-requests ... after a month still no answer to this very simple question.
Based on this, and untill the most fundamental issues are resolved, I have to warn you against Golden from Golden Records. -
"Surprisingly simple & high quality vinyl conversion"
Version: Golden Records 1.22
Pros
Super-simple to set up and use; amazing results; can directly patch the turntable into your PC's audio input without the use of a preamp or stereo amp; unattended operation; can record 78s without a 78-capable turntable!
Cons
It's a bit clunky on my Mac G4 with 2GB of RAM and tons of HD space but still effective nonetheless; can't manually control the balance - they're tied together; the input level slider does nothing - must use the adj. in Mac's sound settings
Summary
I was surprised at how easy it is to figure out and use this app. It's built-in Wizard walks you though the main steps needed for good results. Be careful setting the quality level too high - you'll end up with mp3s of colossal size. Rather ordinary[160kb stereo] settings gave me remarkable results. I set it at 128~256 VBR to see what that would do but again the files ended up much too large for normal iPod use. The converted quality of the vinyl was very impressive to me, and I have a keen ear for vinyl's anomalies. I was shocked at how large & impressive the sound was in digital form. Be wary of setting up too many "filters" in the inital config - these not only complicate and slow down your recordings' post processing exponentially, but can also interfere with the intended audible experience. Perhaps use those settings with prejudice - such as with a worn disc. I use only the RIAA compensator that enables me to patch my turntable directly into the Mac without the need for an amp or preamp. I've so far only captured vinyl with this method and am blown away with the vinyl's warmth that was maintained in the digital copy. Tomorrow I'm going to download and try the same app on one of my PC laptops with my Technics going through a proper amplifier just to see how it compares with the un-amplified Mac experience.
One caveat - after first installing it on the Mac and then launching the app, after configuring it using the Wizard, it suddenly crashed. I rebooted the Mac and it seems to be doing OK since then. Also, once when I had split two run-together songs that it had made into a single track, the split versions didn't show up in the destination folder but they were present in the Golden Records' window and could be selected from there. They never did arrive in the destination folder. Other splits & joins have worked fine otherwise.
If this app works as good or better on my PC, I'm going to buy it without looking further. -
"Works until crash-Then non-existent customer service"
Version: Golden Records 1.22
Pros
It is fairly easy and intuitive to use. Includes RIAA equalization which might seduce you into thinking you can get by without a preamp. When burning CDs from the converted files, the quality is quite good.
Cons
Upgrades are free for 90 days, then pricing is at full bore. If you crash, good luck with customer service. I have communicated with them 3 times and have yet to receive even a confirmation. You still need a decent preamp despite the built in RIAA.
Summary
I bought the program as a download in the fall of 2008 to digitize my vinyl collection. Taking delivery of this product via download might be cheaper, but having the CD might be smarter. Care must be taken when installing the download since NCH has gone to extreme ends to make sure no duplicates can be made. Follow the instructions carefully or you might find yourself at the mercy of their customer service, which I have found to be next to non-existent. The product itself works quite well (although with a few learning curve quirks) and produces very good sounding digital conversions. They solicit feedback on improving the product, but since free upgrades are only available for 90 days (I only qualified for one), your suggestions might not appear in the product until after your 90 days has run out. It seems petty on their part not to offer a longer free upgrade period, or at least discounted pricing for upgrades from already owned software. Finally, if you experience a crash (as I did), and report it via their automatically-appearing error report, do not hold your breath for a reply. I never received one. Fortunately, I was able to use system restore to get back in business. During any of the downloading and upgrading process, NCH makes it a point to urge you to back up the program. Now I know why. Also, you will find that NCH finds every way possible to intrude into your computing experience to try and sell you one of their other products (e.g. emails, links added to you favorites, automated hookups to their website when all you really wanted was the help menu, etc.)
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"This is the best and easiest to use audio solfware I have used so far."
Version: Golden Records 1.16
Pros
The product is user friendly and is great for converting vinyl records to cd. It contains a whole line of additional programs if you require. The fact that it can automatically seperates the tracks is a big help amd saves time later on. As with older bands such as Pink Floyd the song can actually blend into each other in this case the program might not accurately seperate the tracks but you can always edit the song later on and split the track easily. So far the cd burner solfware that is included has not failed or ruined one cd as with others I have tried. The audio quality of the finished cd is nearly as good as the vinyl record itself. This being said, be careful not to start recording with too many audio filters turned on. I find they can cause the songs to be muffled or muted especially at lower volume levels. I started off using just the "click and pop" filter (for vinyl) and got excellent resutls.
Besides, you can always edit the track after recording and apply the filters individually if you want but I don't think you can go back and undo the changes made during the recording session. Turntable used was a LENCO L-75 hooked to a Panasonic SA-HE100 receiver with RCA cable hooked to the audio output to the the line in on my desktop computer.
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