The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

David,

If you check my Podcast ( https://www.buzzsprout.com/1449838/) number 9 contains a 2 Minute Cylinder record that was recorded using a homemade recorder using parts of a Edison reproducer and a crystal element to convert the motion to an electrical signal. Number 30 used a pickup similar to a magnetic cartridge held over the 4 minute cylinder.

Much more song info is available by using the record grooves than a microphone near the horn.

Marc

Marc Hildebrant wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:09 pm David,

If you check my Podcast ( https://www.buzzsprout.com/1449838/) number 9 contains a 2 Minute Cylinder record that was recorded using a homemade recorder using parts of a Edison reproducer and a crystal element to convert the motion to an electrical signal. Number 30 used a pickup similar to a magnetic cartridge held over the 4 minute cylinder.

Much more song info is available by using the record grooves than a microphone near the horn.

Marc

Marc,
How about posting a pic of that homemade recorder? Also, what "crystal element" specifically, are you referring to?

Marc Hildebrant wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:09 pm David,

If you check my Podcast ( https://www.buzzsprout.com/1449838/) number 9 contains a 2 Minute Cylinder record that was recorded using a homemade recorder using parts of a Edison reproducer and a crystal element to convert the motion to an electrical signal. Number 30 used a pickup similar to a magnetic cartridge held over the 4 minute cylinder.

Much more song info is available by using the record grooves than a microphone near the horn.

Marc

Marc,

That recording sounded really great!! Can you share some more info on how you made your reproducer?

David

Marc, your podcasts are marvelous! Thanks for that!

Group,

First, thanks for the kind words regarding my Podcasts. They are lots of work, but your kind words are the payment I need.

With regard to the homemade 2 Minute reproducer. I have attached two pictures. One shows a Model C Edison reproducer with a Toy Phone's sound powered microphone (crystal element) in place of the original Edison Diaphragm. The second picture adds more detail where a similar version for a 4 Minute Reproducer was used with the resulting crystal element broken.

The person that made these electric Edison reproducers wanted the mechanical load and stylus to be the same as the Edison design with the only change being the conversion from mechanical motion to an electric signal.
The idea was that the Edison design was the best to capture the music from the groove.

After I converted the analog signal to a digital value, I performed various filtering to remove some noise and then converted to a MP3 file at 320 Kilobit sampling for my podcast. All of the 2 Minute recordings on my podcast came from this Electric Edison Reproducer using an Edison Triumph Phonograph.

Marc

Curt I just had a chance to read the link you sent... thank you for sending that. Has anyone here bought this ACT/2 reproducer?

David

I bought an ACT/2 reproducer many years ago. It came in a wooden box with both 2 minute and 4 minute stili, a "Y" connector and a small preamp. It has performed admirably over the years. I just recently switched from using the included preamp, which used a mini plug, to a USB interface. I use mine in a Triumph A which was converted to a four-ball governor. It has a horizontal carriage so I use an Edison reproducer adapter which works fine with the ACT/2. I have looked at the pictures of the Timestep reproducer and it looks exactly like the ACT/2. I would go with the ACT/2 for $200 less.

I enjoy making copies of my own cylinders much more than listening to them on the internet. My wife and I have a collection of over 50 Christmas cylinders. Many years ago, we made a series of 3 CDs of them, and some disc records, for our friends. Several people have told me they are the first thing they pull out at Christmas. They are about all we listen to at Christmastime, too. I like to listen to them in the car, especially since they don't make cylinder players for cars anymore.

Harry