Re: [ARSCLIST] Playing a "flexi disc"

[Steven Smolian <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

The records are embossed, not cut.  They play back with considerably more 
stylus pressure than most modern styli can accomodate which explains why 
they are difficult to track.  And the groove is 1 mil on the later ones.  An 
earlier version which looks identical plays best with a 1.8.  If they get 
rippled, they are a tough slalom.

Steve Smolian

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Adrian Cosentini" <acosentini@xxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 8:09 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Playing a "flexi disc"


> These are nothing like EvaTone Sound Sheets (or discs). It's a whole
> other headache. Yeah and good luck tracking even with a micro groove
> styli. I collected a bunch of styli just to deal with these mess'. Oh
> yeah and there's the tracking and the pitch angle to deal with and
> then.... it goes on and on. Not for the faint of heart if you want to get
> the max S/N and dynamic range. But that's a whole other story.
>
> Adrian
> NY Philharmonic
>
> On Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:30:24 -0400 Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> writes:
> > Hi:
> >
> > If this disk is somewhat akin to the later EvaTone Soundsheet, I've
> > had very good luck playing those
> > by placing them on top of a non-valued LP record. Another trick I've
> > had success with is taping down
> > the squared corners with regular old Scotch tape, so the disk lays
> > flatter. This is not necessary
> > all the time. I have dozens of EvaTone Soundsheets and have been
> > able to transfer all of them with
> > usually very good results.
> >
> > -- Tom Fine
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Wasserman, Robert A - WHS"
> > <Robert.Wasserman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 4:15 PM
> > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Playing a "flexi disc"
> >
> >
> > A suggestion, most modern turntables are not flat enough for these
> > discs, place a piece of board or cardboard similar in size and shape
> > of
> > the disc with a hole in it to create a flat surface. You might need
> > a
> > small piece of tape on the back (if one sided) or near the edge if
> > cardboard surface is too slippery.
> >
> > Robert Wasserman
> > Robert.Wasserman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Sound Archives Proj. Asst./Lead Tech.
> > Wisconsin Historical Society
> > 608-264-6473
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dear Barbara Need,
> >
> > If the disc is translucent green vinyl, it may be a Soundscriber
> > disc. These were 33.3 rpm microgroove, so you should try to play it
> > as if it were an LP. Pray that it hasn't warped; if it has, you may
> > need to send it to someone with excellent equipment and much
> > experience.
> >
> > Sincerely, Richard
> >
> > At 02:59 PM 7/17/2007, you wrote:
> > >I have been asked to get a digital transfer from what I believe to
> > >be a "Flexi disc" (thin green plastic /vinyl disc with a square
> > >hole). The only complication is that, as far as I can tell, these
> > >were LPs and, therefore, no earlier than 1948. The date on the
> > disc,
> > >however, is '43. We have an osmium stylus (which we use for
> > >78s)  and a diamond stylus (which we use for LPs). What stylus
> > >should I use for playback? (And if you have recommendations for
> > >adding to my stylus supply, I would welcome that as well, though I
> > >may not be able to do anything about it just yet.)
> > >
> > >Barbara
> > >
> > >Barbara Need
> > >Manager
>
>
> --
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