Before the iTunes Store, there were actual, physical records.

If you’re like us, digital files have replaced the space in your music collection once occupied by records. And, you probably have a crate or two of records gathering dust in a closet somewhere, filled with musical gems that you haven’t—or can’t—replace with digital copies to blast from your Mac or your iPod. But with Numark’s TTi turntable, you can convert treasured albums into digital files directly on an iPod, or move them to your Mac via USB.

Numark has devised a clever strategy for dealing with Apple’s restrictions on moving files from an iPod to a computer. Using the built-in Voice Memos capability of many iPod models, you can create 44.1kHz stereo WAV files, ripe for converting into the format of your choice.

Since iTunes automatically transfers new memos back to your Mac, you can easily import new recordings without having to resort to any trickery to access the files stored on your iPod.

Digitizing a record is as easy as docking your iPod and using the buttons on the TTi to start a new recording. If your iPod offers variable quality settings for Voice Memos, be sure to use the higher-quality setting. A Play/Pause button allows you to break up tracks as the record plays, but we found it much easier to import a whole side as one track and edit the tracks down in an audio editor on our Mac. The TTi comes with copies of EZ Audio Convertor and Audacity, but feel free to use the editor you’re most comfortable with. In our tests, the TTi was easy to work with, although the analog nature of records means that transfers occur in real time, so it can be time-consuming to convert large collections. Numark includes a handy Gain knob, useful for pumping up the sound levels on old recordings. Unfortunately, the knob is located on the underside of the turntable, making it inconvenient to adjust on the fly when working with records of varying audio levels. The TTi works with 33- and 45-rpm records, and instructions are included for using the bundled software to correct lower-speed recordings of 78-rpm records as well.