loudness and pitch

[johnnybgoode1959]

I noticed today when playing some old records some are much louder than others and I use the soft tone needles. whats going on here?

[OrthoFan]

I noticed today when playing some old records some are much louder than others and I use the soft tone needles. whats going on here?

If you're comparing a record that was recorded by the acoustic process with an electrical recording there would be a substantial difference. But, even during the time that most records were electrically recorded--after 1925, but especially after about 1930 when electrical reproduction took over from all-acoustic reproduction--the recorded characteristics such as amplitude, volume, pitch, etc., varied greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer.

There were also variations in records produced by the same company. For instance, I used to have a classical 78 album set of a Beethoven symphony from the late 1930s produced by RCA Victor. Some of the sides were twice as loud as the others. (I'd assume that they were recorded on different dates.)

There are many other factors involved during the era that 78s were made, such improvements in recording technology that captured more treble and bass, changes to the "recording curve," etc..

In "From Tinfoil to Stereo" by Welch and Read there's a dissertation about this in a chapter devoted to "recording standards".

The charts on this page will give an indication of how the recorded characteristics of 78s can vary, in terms of equalization - http://www.shellac.org/wams/wequal.html

I realize that this only scratches the surface.

OrthoFan

[Viva-voce]

I realize that this only scratches the surface.

OrthoFan[/quote]

Was that pun intended? Lol

Steven

[OrthoFan]

I realize that this only scratches the surface.
OrthoFan

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Was that pun intended? Lol

Steven

Purely unintentional. I'm always doing that, so I have to watch what I say, especially at funerals.

OrthoFan

[Viva-voce]

Purely unintentional. I'm always doing that, so I have to watch what I say, especially at funerals.

OrthoFan[/quote]

Yeah, but that could liven things up a bit

Steven

[johnnybgoode1959]

lol! thats awesome. I like people that share a sense of humor especially on forums like this.

[johnnybgoode1959]

lol! thats awesome. I like people that share a sense of humor especially on forums like this.

it does lighten things up a bit!

[drh]

I realize that this only scratches the surface.
OrthoFan

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Was that pun intended? Lol

Steven

Purely unintentional. I'm always doing that, so I have to watch what I say, especially at funerals.

OrthoFan

Yeah, a slip like that in such circumstances would be a grave mistake.

[Lucius1958]

I realize that this only scratches the surface.
OrthoFan

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Was that pun intended? Lol

Steven

Purely unintentional. I'm always doing that, so I have to watch what I say, especially at funerals.

OrthoFan

Yeah, a slip like that in such circumstances would be a grave mistake.

Well, isn't there supposed to be a "fun" in "funeral"?

Bill

[Viva-voce]

Well, isn't there supposed to be a "fun" in "funeral"?

Bill[/quote]

I guess that would depend on whether the dearly departed was loved or despised lol