How do I play this Pathé record?

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nostalgia
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How do I play this Pathé record?

Post by nostalgia »

I have not yet played any Pathé records, but I know Pathé Actuelle records are laterally cut and can be played using a "normal" soundbox, like an early HMV or Victrola.
I still want to be sure before playing this record, since I can't find it online, so I guess it is possibly not common to find...
Can I play it on a HMV 156 with a no 4 soundbox? The record feels different than other records from the same period, which I believe is the early 1920's.
And what speed is correct for this record?
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shoshani
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Re: How do I play this Pathé record?

Post by shoshani »

Perfectly safe to play with a No 4 soundbox. As for speed, it's probably hit or miss. I believe Pathé recorded at 80RPM in the US, but even that will have variations. (While this appears to be a French pressing, judging from the "avec" on the label, if it's Ben Selvin it was recorded in New York.)

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nostalgia
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Re: How do I play this Pathé record?

Post by nostalgia »

Thank you, "shoshani" :)

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Inigo
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Re: How do I play this Pathé record?

Post by Inigo »

The N before the matrix indicates an original American matrix, used in Europe to distinguish from locally recorded ones. I don't know what the N stands for, though... It's probably a French pressing from American matrix.
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gramophoneshane
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Re: How do I play this Pathé record?

Post by gramophoneshane »

Inigo wrote: Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:51 pm. I don't know what the N stands for, though... It's probably a French pressing from American matrix.
Possibly New York?
I don't know if New York was Pathé's only US recording studio or if they had several around the country?

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Re: How do I play this Pathé record?

Post by OrthoFan »

I checked the matrix number on this page -- https://www.78discography.com/Pathe10100.htm -- and found it was recorded on 2/22/27 According to what I've read online -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path%C3%A9_Records -- Pathé didn't adopt the electrical recording process until January 1927, so I'm wondering if this is late acoustic or early electric?

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