Recording vinyl to your computer

How do I do that? Without using a amp or preamp.

Can it be done only by recording through some special software?

If the record play has an AUX out and your video card has an AUX in, using a $4 cable from Radio Shack and some kind of decent recording software should do the trick.

Not sure what you mean, but an LP has to be played back through an RIAA equalized preamp. You can then pump that (600 ohm/1v p-p) output into the line or aux in of your soundcard using some sort of decent recording software. Of course you could use an unequalized preamp and equalize to the RIAA curve in the software but the SNR at the mid-low range will be compromised. I have about 1k LP recorded tracks in MP3 form that came out pretty well.

I just use an adapter from left/right to quarter inch, and then plug that badboy into my AUX jack into my soundcard and bam, you are good to go.

program wise I find sonic foundry soundforge to be more then enough.

I think they're wondering if it's possible to do the recording directly from the turntable to their PC without the phono input being amplified by a phono stage...

I've tried to hook it up through the AUX on my soundcard, but the volume is really low.
Maby I should just buy a preamp box... It can't be that expensive.

Your record player also needs to be grounded or you'll get feedback.
A little 2 channel mixer will work to.

i record my vinyl straight to mp3 with my DAP... then i hook it up to a PC and rename it, or if i'm feeling bored i'll break all the mp3s up into separate files instead of one long one for each side of the record.