Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
Posted to rec.audio.pro
|
|||
|
|||
1966 transcription record says to use a transcription needle?
Bought what's labeled as a transcription record - 33 1/3, recorded in 1966. I see the label says "Use transcription needles with maximum pressure of 50 grams".
What is a transcription needle and can a standard cartridge like a Stanton be used? |
#2
Posted to rec.audio.pro
|
|||
|
|||
1966 transcription record says to use a transcription needle?
Brassplyer wrote:
Bought what's labeled as a transcription record - 33 1/3, recorded in 1966. I see the label says "Use transcription needles with maximum pressure of 50 grams". What is a transcription needle and can a standard cartridge like a Stanton be used? Usually a transcription needle trailed so as to give a degree of vertical compliance (in a mono pickup) so that pinch distortion did not cause groove damage. Any good quality modern stereo cartridge will have the necessary compliance, so the Stanton should be suitable. The groove shape of a transcription record might not be exactly the same as modern microgroove records, but a microgroove stylus is usually adequate. (There were also some coarse-groove 33 1/3 rpm transcription discs, but these were recorded much earlier than 1966.) There were several different standards for the recording characteristics of transcription discs in use at different time and in different countries, so you cannot guarantee that the RIAA curve will give correct results. You won't do any harm by trying - and if it sounds right it probably is right. If it is not RIAA, you will have to look for specialised equalisers to get the correct result. A nitrate surfaced transcription disc is only good for about 10 playings before the quality begins to drop, so make sure you are running a recording system right from the start. It is cheap enough nowadays to leave a recorder running and the first test playthrough may be the best one - or if you are unlucky and something goes wrong, the only one. You will often get less noise from a nitrate surface if you play it with a relatively heavy pickup, but you will also get fewer plays before damage occurs. If the disc is damaged and the pickup jumps across the grooves, don't lean on the pickup or fiddle with clever anti-skating bias devices, just tilt the whole turntable unit. -- ~ Adrian Tuddenham ~ (Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply) www.poppyrecords.co.uk |
#3
Posted to rec.audio.pro
|
|||
|
|||
1966 transcription record says to use a transcription needle?
In article ,
Brassplyer wrote: Bought what's labeled as a transcription record - 33 1/3, recorded in 1966. I see the label says "Use transcription needles with maximum pressure of 50 grams". What is a transcription needle and can a standard cartridge like a Stanton be used? Transcription needle is likely about 2.0 mil NAB standard. Much larger than the 1mil microgroove needle of today, but smaller than the 2.7 mil 78 stylus. You can likely play it well enough with a Stanton 681 and the 78 stylus, but the distortion will be higher than with the correct stylus because it will be riding higher in the groove. Do not play with a microgroove stylus. If this is a lacquer (which you can tell from the aluminum base which shines through on the edges), do be aware that these records degrade audibly with every play so get the best you can the first time and do not attempt to put lacquers through vacuum machines or use any cleaning solution containing alcohol. There are transcription pressings which are a lot less delicate though and should just be treated like an LP with big grooves. Esoteric Sound will sell you 2.0 mil styli for the 681 for around $100, I think. But I'd do a pass with the standard 78 one first. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
Reply |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Cylinder transcription in California | Pro Audio | |||
GARRARD LAB Series Transcription turntable. Lab 80 | Marketplace | |||
Transcription discs | Pro Audio | |||
FA: Rek-O-Kut K-33H Belt Drive Transcription Turntable | Marketplace | |||
Transcription Workflow | Pro Audio |