Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Discussions on Records, Recording, & Artists
Post Reply
User avatar
CDBPDX
Victor V
Posts: 2005
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:43 am
Personal Text: A Hobbyist Specializing in Sales and Repair of Spring Motor Phonographs
Location: Castle Rock, WA
Contact:

Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Post by CDBPDX »

Just got a nice advertising record that is curled up. I would like to digitize this, but can't seem to get the stylus to stay focused in the groove.

Any suggestions? It is permanently secured to the cardboard.

Thanks! Cliff
Attachments
FROG-RECORD-0000.jpg
Cliff's Vintage Music Shoppe, Castle Rock, WA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIz_IpaVrW8

User avatar
Orchorsol
Victor IV
Posts: 1774
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:03 am
Location: Dover, UK
Contact:

Re: Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Post by Orchorsol »

Will it play at 45 or 33 ⅓ rpm? Should then be relatively easy to speed it up digitally.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?

User avatar
Orchorsol
Victor IV
Posts: 1774
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:03 am
Location: Dover, UK
Contact:

Re: Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Post by Orchorsol »

Also, at those lower speeds it would be easier to place weights on the record to keep it flatter.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?

52089
Victor VI
Posts: 3817
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:54 pm

Re: Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Post by 52089 »

Assuming you don't want to use the glass-panes-and-sunshine/heat method, or if you've tried that unsuccessfully, I have an alternative.

Put wax paper on both sides of the disc, put that on top of a very flat surface - I use the top of a refrigerator - then put significant, even weight on top of that. I used to use thick phone books, letting the "give" of the books conform to the "hump" of the warp. Since your record is paper, it may flatten out in just a few days, though a week or 2 is more likely.

User avatar
rgordon939
Victor V
Posts: 2654
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: Linden, NJ 07036
Contact:

Re: Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Post by rgordon939 »

The trick a friend of mine uses is to record the record at a slow enough speed to prevent skipping. He then plays the recording at the proper speed and records it again. There are a lot of programs you can use such as Audacity.

Rich Gordon

User avatar
CDBPDX
Victor V
Posts: 2005
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:43 am
Personal Text: A Hobbyist Specializing in Sales and Repair of Spring Motor Phonographs
Location: Castle Rock, WA
Contact:

Re: Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Post by CDBPDX »

The pressing method seems to be the way to go. Thanks!

I tried to play at 16 rpm, didn't work. Too much warpage.

Cliff
Attachments
FROG-RECORD-1003c.JPG
Cliff's Vintage Music Shoppe, Castle Rock, WA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIz_IpaVrW8

User avatar
CDBPDX
Victor V
Posts: 2005
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:43 am
Personal Text: A Hobbyist Specializing in Sales and Repair of Spring Motor Phonographs
Location: Castle Rock, WA
Contact:

Re: Best Way to Digitize a Warped Record

Post by CDBPDX »

I managed to flatten it enough to be able to play it, but aside from the noise, there was only a tiny hint of a recording on it. Every once in a while I could hear a "HARRUMPH" like a frog and that was just about all.

Oh, well. it is still neat.

Cliff
Cliff's Vintage Music Shoppe, Castle Rock, WA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIz_IpaVrW8

Post Reply