From LPs to CDs.

This ADS InstantMusic and Cassette Ripper claims that it can bring music from your LPs and cassettes into the digital age. Is it too good to be true? Is it too much of a hassle? Technology heads -- feel free to investigate and report back! Below this Atlanta pub TechByte is a link to another review which lays out some of the obstacles you might encounter with using this and other ripping brands. From what I can see, there aren't any deal breakers though, and it's targeted at those who really have jewels worth preserving ... and just want to throw their hands up and heads back and say "heeeeeyyyyy" once again -- like my mom. (I guess it's preservation through recapturing as opposed to repurchasing from iTunes, which my mom simply will not do! But she would do this ...).

InstantMusic Vinyl & Cassette Ripper: Do you have a stack of albums from your favorite groups collecting dust in the attic -- because you can't listen to or can't bear to part with them? Just about everyone does. And we've, in large part, moved on to more savvy uses of technology to get our music fixes. Nostalgia aside, all that scratched vinyl and tangled tape was enough to drive you digital. And it did. So much so, both formats are now virtually obsolete. Hence your favorite mix tapes and LPs sit idly in a heap.

Well not for long, thanks to ADS Instant Music Ripper.

This ingenious box of tricks allows you to transfer the music trapped on old records and tapes to your computer. Simply plug it into the nearest USB port, attach your prehistoric player of choice via the auxilliary ports, and start ripping. Don't worry about compatibility and cables: the Instant Music Ripper comes with various leads and connectors to hook up your hi-fi. You can capture from any audio source: cassette player, turntable, TV, radio and DVD player. You can also filter out sound imperfections using the supplied software.

The included Nero software alows you to go from LP to CD in four simple steps; the gadget even comes in bundled software for PC and Macs so that your ripped music has a place to go and be managed. Also supplied is a 6-foot USB cable, an L/R cable with ground connector, an RCA (male) to stereo miniplug (female) adaptor and a stereo miniplug. Best of all, once you've converted your records and cassettes into crisp, clear digital audio (MP3, WAV, WMA and AAC) you can get busy burning your own CDs, or transfer the music you love straight onto your MP3 player. Pretty well thought out.

The Instant Music Ripper, at $49.95 for PCs and $59.95 for Macs, is a must-have accessory for any music lover with a computer and a load of records or cassettes -- waiting to be queued up and enjoyed again.

Product specs here

Click here to see several hiccups with this technology