Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer
I use the latest loudest record I can find so any distortion will show up. Steve From: a...@popyrus.com Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:59:55 -0700 To: phono-l@oldcrank.org Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer Hi Arvin ~ Great question and I'd be interested in hearing more answers to it from our astute members. I usually try a freshly rebuilt reproducer on a variety of records that includes: Violin, Soprano voice, bells, at least one unusually strident limited passage (2 or 3 grooves). This takes care of the high end. Baritone voice and cello for the low. Also, vocal quartet and small instrumental ensembles (to see if differential details are noticed). Sharp voices like some moment's of Billy Murray's (acoustic) recordings are also good to check how well the reproducing apparatus hangs onto the shrill passages without distorting. The above mainly accounts for cylinders and acoustic discs, for acoustic-era machines. For early electric era I always include vibraphone. Really anything that is rich in natural harmonics works well. Benny Goodman Quartet's Moon Glow with Hampton's vibraphone (Victor 25398) is good for this, but in general I try to limit my Orthophonic Credenza to slightly earlier discs. You can not only check for the clean-ness of the vibraphone, but also how true the breathy quality of the clarinet comes through. Another good test for an Orthophonic or Viva-Tonal is how faithfully they reproduce the bagpipes at the start of Harry Lauder's electric recording of When I Meet MacKay (Victor 9024). In general, if I hear an obvious distortion that isn't from record wear, I try to find a record or two that have a passage in a similar frequency range to rule out an anomaly. If the reproducer rattles in the same range on similar passages, I go back and try to find the cause; imperfect adjustment, the rim of the diaphragm touching the housing, etc. Andrew Baron Santa Fe On Feb 24, 2013, at 10:14 PM, Arvin Casas wrote: Hi All, I was wondering if folks have a favorite recording they reach for (or require) when they are testing the chops of a new machine or a new/repaired reproducer? If you have one, why? I'm interested in reasons technical (e.g., wide frequency / volume variation) to personal (e.g., it's you post-repair good luck charm, you like it enough that you don't mind hearing it over and over, you know it so well that you know when it's the machine and not the record underperforming, etc.,). I'm fine tuning my Viva-Tonal reproducers and was just curious if folks had certain obstacle course recordings they rely on for testing/inaugurating their equipment. I have none right now and am always looking for an excuse to pick up some shellac. :-) Thanks, Arvin ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer
That's a very interesting approach. I think I've trained myself for so long, away from putting late records on earlier machines that I never would have thought of using one as a tool for a reproducer test. On Feb 26, 2013, at 6:39 AM, Steven Medved wrote: I use the latest loudest record I can find so any distortion will show up. Steve ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer
I want to potentially make the reproducer sound its worst. From: a...@popyrus.com Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:35:37 -0700 To: phono-l@oldcrank.org Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer That's a very interesting approach. I think I've trained myself for so long, away from putting late records on earlier machines that I never would have thought of using one as a tool for a reproducer test. On Feb 26, 2013, at 6:39 AM, Steven Medved wrote: I use the latest loudest record I can find so any distortion will show up. Steve ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer
Makes perfect sense. If the reproducer passes the test on late loud records, it should do very nicely on the ones it was designed for, and in the event of people subjecting late records to earlier heavy tracking machines with rebuilt reproducers, it should do OK (though awfully hard on the records, and a bit stressful on the ears. Seems like every antique mall has a Victrola with a 1952 MGM record or something like it on the platter. Andrew On Feb 26, 2013, at 11:39 AM, Steven Medved wrote: I want to potentially make the reproducer sound its worst. From: a...@popyrus.com Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:35:37 -0700 To: phono-l@oldcrank.org Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer That's a very interesting approach. I think I've trained myself for so long, away from putting late records on earlier machines that I never would have thought of using one as a tool for a reproducer test. On Feb 26, 2013, at 6:39 AM, Steven Medved wrote: I use the latest loudest record I can find so any distortion will show up. Steve ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer
I usually try several records, some with loud passages, some mainly soft, like violins and some that have vocals. I do mainly acoustical reproducers and listen for sibilants and (lack of) distortion. Ronald L'Herault Lab Supervisor, Biomaterials Division B.U. School of Dental Medicine 801 Albany Street S203 Roxbury, MA 02119 -Original Message- From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org] On Behalf Of Arvin Casas Sent: Monday, February 25, 2013 12:14 AM To: phono-l@oldcrank.org Subject: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer Hi All, I was wondering if folks have a favorite recording they reach for (or require) when they are testing the chops of a new machine or a new/repaired reproducer? If you have one, why? I'm interested in reasons technical (e.g., wide frequency / volume variation) to personal (e.g., it's you post-repair good luck charm, you like it enough that you don't mind hearing it over and over, you know it so well that you know when it's the machine and not the record underperforming, etc.,). I'm fine tuning my Viva-Tonal reproducers and was just curious if folks had certain obstacle course recordings they rely on for testing/inaugurating their equipment. I have none right now and am always looking for an excuse to pick up some shellac. :-) Thanks, Arvin ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
Re: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer
For Orthophonic or Viva-tonal phonographs, use earlier electrically-recorded 78s that were made for the machines vice-versus, say pre-1930, before electrical reproduction came into wide use companies, Victor especially, started employing recording curves that it would be impossible to compensate for with acoustical reproduction. I like good late 1920s dance band Scroll label Victors or Viva-tonal Columbias.In England Europe, electrical reproduction was less quickly put into widespread use than in the United States so European 78s from the 1930s were recorded without such extreme recording curves these too ought to play well acoustically. Anthony Sinclair offered the local antique phonograph repairman helpful hints on restoring my large Viva-tonal it plays beautifully. Good luck with your Viva-tonal soundbox! -Original Message- From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org] On Behalf Of Arvin Casas Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 11:14 PM To: phono-l@oldcrank.org Subject: [Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer Hi All, I was wondering if folks have a favorite recording they reach for (or require) when they are testing the chops of a new machine or a new/repaired reproducer? If you have one, why? I'm interested in reasons technical (e.g., wide frequency / volume variation) to personal (e.g., it's you post-repair good luck charm, you like it enough that you don't mind hearing it over and over, you know it so well that you know when it's the machine and not the record underperforming, etc.,). I'm fine tuning my Viva-Tonal reproducers and was just curious if folks had certain obstacle course recordings they rely on for testing/inaugurating their equipment. I have none right now and am always looking for an excuse to pick up some shellac. :-) Thanks, Arvin ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
[Phono-L] Go-To Recording for Testing a New Machine / Reproducer
Hi All, I was wondering if folks have a favorite recording they reach for (or require) when they are testing the chops of a new machine or a new/repaired reproducer? If you have one, why? I'm interested in reasons technical (e.g., wide frequency / volume variation) to personal (e.g., it's you post-repair good luck charm, you like it enough that you don't mind hearing it over and over, you know it so well that you know when it's the machine and not the record underperforming, etc.,). I'm fine tuning my Viva-Tonal reproducers and was just curious if folks had certain obstacle course recordings they rely on for testing/inaugurating their equipment. I have none right now and am always looking for an excuse to pick up some shellac. :-) Thanks, Arvin ___ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
