Thinkpads Forum

Do I need a discrete audio card or can I use the mic input to record audio, for instance rip MP3's from analog stereo line input?

you would need an external sound card to get stereo audio recording.

lead_org wrote:you would need an external sound card to get stereo audio recording.

Would that need to be connected by USB or can it be in a slot?

There are expresscard and card bus variants are available, but they are usually limited in no. of port options and tend to be more expensive as a second hand unit.

I want the simplest/cheapest solution that will bring a stereo analog line input into the T60 so I can record MP3s (using a 3rd party program, Total Recorder Standard Edition, which I've used successfully on XP for years). Maybe a USB device.

I found something on Amazon that's pretty inexpensive and looks like it might be adequate. I'm going to record MP3s from FM line out from my receiver. The audio quality might be fine, and it's $28.26 shipped:

Behringer UCA202 Audio Interface

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KW ... PDKIKX0DER

A reviewer said the chip is made by Texas Instruments.

A very comprehensive review is also available on the UCA222-U model: (but UCA202 = UCA222)
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA222- ... pd_cp_MI_3

RealBlackStuff wrote:A very comprehensive review is also available on the UCA222-U model: (but UCA202 = UCA222)
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA222- ... pd_cp_MI_3

That's a different model. More expensive, I wonder if it's necessary for my application. Will inspect the product and read the reviews. Thanks.

The comprehensive review you mention, are you referring to one of the buyer/user reviews at Amazon?

It is not that expensive and the quality of this brand of products are fairly good, since they are mostly used in the music industries.

202 and 222 are identical (except different color).
The only difference is in the added software.

And yes, read the Amazon review of the 222.

RealBlackStuff wrote:202 and 222 are identical (except different color).
The only difference is in the added software.

And yes, read the Amazon review of the 222.

Thanks, I'll read it. I assume you're talking about the stuff they say about the product, the description.

re: your sig, I really do like that dark Guinness stuff, one of my very favorite brews. But lately I've been getting the Costco variety pack of German style ales. Come to around $0.75/bottle, and pretty tasty!

RealBlackStuff wrote:202 and 222 are identical (except different color).
The only difference is in the added software.

And yes, read the Amazon review of the 222.

You are suggesting that the 222 is a better idea? Or are you pointing to the 222 because the review is informative about the hardware?

I only pointed you to the review by Twin Mom to show that the hardware is the same.
YOU make up your mind about the rest.

RealBlackStuff wrote:I only pointed you to the review by Twin Mom to show that the hardware is the same.
YOU make up your mind about the rest.

Understood! I have now read the review. Not sure which I'll get. My current needs are modest, I'm in no hurry, so I'll read the other reviews for both items before making up my mind which to get. Fact is, I have an iRiver H120 and an H140, so if I want to make recordings of line input I can use either of those. I do it routinely at the radio station I work at. Recording to the Thinkpad is something I intend to do unattended, thus the recording will be initiated by the Thinkpad at a specific time. (software running on it), which is something the iRiver's can't do. They don't even have an internal clock. Even so, that software might be useful to me, conceivably, and like Twin Mom said, it's only an extra $6 (but only if I order the 222 off ebay, otherwise the difference is around $11).