RCA Victor recordable record

[MTPhono]

I found two of these home recordable records which I've not see before and am interested in learning more about them. The records are 6" diameter.

Based upon the sleeve graphics, these were available at the earliest in the 30's.

Which RCA Victor machines would these have been used on?







Thanks,
Scott

[gregbogantz]

These recording blanks were made from about 1930 and for several years onward. They were intended to be used with the Victor and RCA-Victor electrolas that were equipped with the recording feature. To my knowledge, all these models included a radio and thus were called "radiola-electrola" and carried the "RE" model number. There were several models with record changers, called "radiola-automatic electrola" and carried the "RAE" model numbers. This would include models such as the RE-81, RE-86, RAE-59, RAE-84 and others. To my knowledge, all these recorders used the RCA "inertia" tonearm and horseshoe magnetic pickup/recorder. The same tonearm and pickup head was used for recording as well as playback. A special blunt recording stylus was inserted into the pickup which embossed the recording onto the thin vinyl recording blank which contained a silent groove that guided the stylus. These sets were furnished with a microphone, although the mics may have been lost in some surviving examples of the machines. In all cases that I am aware of, these recorders had a "transfer switch" located on the motorboard with several (usually four) positions. The user could select "radio", "phono", "microphone recording", or "radio recording" or words to those effects. Also, there was an extra weight included with these sets that was intended to be placed on the pickup to increase the tracking force and mass of the pickup during recording. Many of these weights have been lost over the years, too. Attached are some photos of the player/recorder units of several models.

[estott]

I've got one of those machines (not working) and a couple of the discs. You can't play them with a standard stylus because they have very wide grooved with the recording in the sides. I did get some results playing one on my Credenza with a Pathé sapphire ball, it was a rather faint record of a man whistling. Don't try that method with a disc that might contain valuable sound like a family member.

[De Soto Frank]

I passed on one of these machines about two years ago... it was complete down to the recording mic.

The black transformer potting that had oozed out of the chassis and run down the of the cabinet kind of put me off it...

The dealer was asking $250; could have probably lugged it home for $200.


Wish I'd grabbed it.

[De Soto Frank]

I'll bet the copyright people and ASCAP had kitten-fits over this notion !

[MTPhono]

Thanks for the responses and particularly the photos and info from Greg. Very informative.

I only paid $2 for each of the records - no harm no foul.

Regards,
Scott

[De Soto Frank]

If they are still un-recorded, they might be worth a few bucks...

[estott]

If they are still un-recorded, they might be worth a few bucks...

Maybe, but the composition hardens up with age and you won't get good results trying to record on them now.

I've got a card that came with a machine when new, it has samples and suggestions for making your first recordings: a little boy can say something like "Dear Grandmother- I made a recording of President Hoover's speech on the radio and took it to school...."

[Skihawx]

Even the ones recorder on are probably blank today.
The grooves were just streched and I don't think really cut.
Has anyone found period home recordings on these that atill
have information?

[estott]

Yes, as I wrote I've got a couple with playable recordings- they're just not all that interesting