The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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

Will it play at 45 or 33 ⅓ rpm? Should then be relatively easy to speed it up digitally.

Also, at those lower speeds it would be easier to place weights on the record to keep it flatter.

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.

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

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

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