There are many systems and accompanying software on the market for converting your precious vinyl collection into computer-speak – for use in either an MP3 player or iPod. So, in many ways, the Griffin iMic is not that remarkable, assuming that you own a PC, that is.
If you're a Mac user, however, then the options are more limited, which is where the Griffin iMic comes into its own. Plug this natty little unit into an open USB port on your Mac, set up your computer to use the iMic as its sound input device, launch the free online Final Vinyl software and you're in business. The iMic (which will set you back around £35 from Amazon) comes equipped with one input and one output jack. Plug in your turntable, microphone or musical instrument and the Griffin software automatically displays a window on your desktop. Click on 'record' and the rest is history. The iMic also includes a switch for 'line level' in case your turntable has a built-in preamp of its own. This also applies to cassette decks and CD players, although you will require a Y-plug male/female adaptor to connect your left and right audio cables into the iMic's single input jack.

As a software, Final Vinyl is easy to install and simple to navigate. An EQ settings menu allows you to set the bass, treble and mid-range on all music being recorded. Volume can be increased or decreased within a range of +/- 20dB. Multiple effects can also be added and music tracks can be auto-marked for instant replay. Once recorded, Final Vinyl can directly save a file as either WAV (popular with Windows PC users) or AIFC (a variant of the AIFF audio file popular with Mac users). But Final Vinyl files can also be exported into other popular formats, such as MPEG-4 or Quicktime Movie. You can also import most of these file formats into iTunes, from which you can convert into MP3, for use with either iPods or MP3 players. Files can also be burned onto CD.

For more information, check out www.griffintechnology.com/support