Digitizing Diamond Discs

[edisonphonoworks]

I use Audacity or Pro tools to record Diamond disc, with an M-audio USB microphone, a refurbished microphone with pro tools program is about $55.00. I find that placing the microphone about 3' from the horn on an angle such as in my video will give a clear, even tone, and no distortion, I noticed that in some places with the new pickup device some overdrive in the 1000-3000 cps range, I listen to the computer through a Marantz 2235 B with 1950s KLIPSCH cabinets, with goldwood 15" woofers, and infinity tweeters, so I listen in detail. I think the studio condenser microphone offers the best range and clarity,and least amount of distortion, to non phono pickup devices, although a good magnetic cartridge with proper stylus would be first choice, although the high quality microphone technique uses the resonant frequencies that were thought of in the design of the sound, I sometimes think that using the original phonograph does offer the clearest highs and reduces rumble. I did not alter the eq curve in this video, but to give a more full bass response the 250 cps range can be boosted a few db to give added richness and bass to the Edison recordings. Just my 2cents. http://youtu.be/uPUsxSY_AbY

[52089]

I made a strobe for 80 rpm. Seems these recordings were a bit too fast. The original strobe I started with had 92 dashes for 78 rpm, I took out 2 for 90 dashes to make 80 rpm. Works great!

CDB

I use strobo.exe, which is freeware available on the net, to make strobe discs. I would gladly post it here but I don't know if that would be allowed. Brandon?

[VintageTechnologies]

I made a strobe for 80 rpm. Seems these recordings were a bit too fast. The original strobe I started with had 92 dashes for 78 rpm, I took out 2 for 90 dashes to make 80 rpm. Works great!

CDB

I use strobo.exe, which is freeware available on the net, to make strobe discs. I would gladly post it here but I don't know if that would be allowed. Brandon?

There are two strobe programs that I have downloaded and can comment on:

1) http://www.78rpm.com/rescat/strobe_info.htm - DOS-based program from Kurt Nauck's website.

This program can print up to five concentric bands representing different speeds. You have to run it from a DOS prompt and supply speed parameters, such as: STROBE.EXE 33 45 78 80 160

The program outputs a low-resolution .BMP file.

2) http://www.myvintagetv.com/strobe.htm - Windows-based and my favorite program.

This can be run within Windows and produces only one speed band, but at higher resolution. You can print from the menu or you can do a standard Windows screen capture (Alt-PrintScreen) and paste the captured image inside a graphics editor to customize with titles or whatever.

[WDC]

It's quite an interesting setup, but it certainly has some issues. There is a very strong peak at 450-900 Hz. This is responsible for the unusual hollow sound. With an equalizer at approx. -10 dB within the range you can correct this to a certain degree but there will be still some distortion left. This is usually caused by a general design problem with tube microphones such as the Archivette, no matter now easy it is to use. I have observed the very same problem with cylinder reproducers too.

Putting one of these directly into or over the shaft of a reproducer will inenvitably cause severe resonance. This is mostly caused by the sealing effect as the remaining sound waves are unable to escape once they have reached the Archivette. Instead they are then bounced back towards the reproducer from which they return, all mixed up with the regular diaphragm vibrations. Any non-linear peaks, usually between 500 Hz to 1 KHz, are quite vulnerable when using any acoustic playback method.

But such a resonance can be significantly reduced by using the old mic in the horn method, where the remaining compressed air is able to escape. I do also favor the electric playback method on a modern turntable, which even worked nicely for this 1917 record.

Btw. the original design to use the existing reproducer is by Jeff Link in England, who has been offering his PhonoLink for several years now.

I have the same 1917 diamond disc of 'Pozzo' by the Frisco Jass Band, so I was able to put all three method as excerpt after each other. I have pitched Cliff's version down by ear, which was running at approx. 86rpm, no other alteration was done.

The sound file demonstrates the following playback methods:

1. Archivette
2. Microphone into the horn
3. Modern turntable + software filtering

[VintageTechnologies]

WDC: Excellent analysis, explanations and direct comparisons! My subjective ear prefers the latter two methods. Now, I must review whether I have that record in my collection!

[CDBPDX]

Great side by side comparison! Lots of good info, too! Thanks!

I've slowed my turntable to 80 rpm and it sounds much better now.

CDB

[CDBPDX]

Here is my latest effort using the Archivette. Seems I covered up the vent that allowed air pressure to escape. Also readjusted the recording level and moved the mic a little further away from the reproducer head. I think I've almost got it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoTHzbt1kU8

CDB

[HisMastersVoice]

I made a strobe for 80 rpm. Seems these recordings were a bit too fast. The original strobe I started with had 92 dashes for 78 rpm, I took out 2 for 90 dashes to make 80 rpm. Works great!

CDB

I use strobo.exe, which is freeware available on the net, to make strobe discs. I would gladly post it here but I don't know if that would be allowed. Brandon?

If it's freeware, you can post a link to download it from the developers website if you would like.

[52089]

I made a strobe for 80 rpm. Seems these recordings were a bit too fast. The original strobe I started with had 92 dashes for 78 rpm, I took out 2 for 90 dashes to make 80 rpm. Works great!

CDB

I use strobo.exe, which is freeware available on the net, to make strobe discs. I would gladly post it here but I don't know if that would be allowed. Brandon?

If it's freeware, you can post a link to download it from the developers website if you would like.

Not the developer's site, but this is a pretty nifty article discussing electric playback of old discs, and about halfway down, under "Speed problems", you'll find the link to download strobo.exe. Use the menu bar to set 50/60 Hz and speed, then file/print. Common speeds are in the drop down, but you can enter a custom (integer) speed too.

http://jlf.pagesperso-orange.fr/erepro2.htm