Re: [ARSCLIST] RIAA EQ software

[Tom Fine <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

WHAT??? You mean you disagree with the mastering guy's EQ choices? You _heathen_! I'm joking of 
course. A lot of LPs just weren't mastered very well, same case for CD's. Too much knob-twiddling 
although, in fairness, the "at-home" sound was what a professional mastering guy thinks about, as 
well as how something will sound on the radio. Also, if you go back 50 years, the cutting equipment 
just wasn't always very good or reliable. There's less of an excuse for the cesspool of badly 
mastered CD's, that's just usually knob-twiddling for the sake of knob-twiddling, or inept use of 
ill-maintained equipment in some cases, or worst of all, ignorant overuse of cheap DSP plugins.

I am very much on the same page as Steve in this respect -- I like to do as much adjustment in the 
analog domain as possible. My clients seem to be very pleased with the results and I know I am 
pleased with my own personal transfers I have on CD or iPod.

But, different strokes for others.

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steven Smolian" <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 9:15 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] RIAA EQ software


> I not only add eq analog but also equalize further before digitizing.  Most classical and 
> non-electronic jazz LPs need help beyond their basic eq.  I usually work toward the sound of the 
> piano if there is one, unless it is obviously off-mike (or off-mix, if that is a technical 
> expression.)   And, of course, a Steinway sounds different than a Baldwin.
>
> Sometimes using the wrong curve gets one closer to the sought sound when further eq is added.
>
> Electronic music- you're on your own.  That includes all rock and most other pops.  Even most of 
> the acoustic instruments in such groups are deliberately or casually distorted.
>
> Steve Smolian
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mike Hirst" <mike.hirst@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 5:18 AM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] RIAA EQ software
>
>
> > Audacity
> >
> > http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
> >
> > includes predefined equalization settings for the RIAA standard and for several other types of 
> > vintage records including:
> >
> > acoustic
> > AES
> > RIAA
> > EMI 78
> > NAB
> > Decca FFRR Micro
> > Columbia 78
> > RCA Victor 1938
> > Columbia LP
> > Decca FFRR LP
> > RCA Victor 1947
> >
> > http://mikehirst.netfirms.com/images/riaa.jpg
> >
> > These Equalization curves, written by Mitch Golden and Vaughan Johnson are referenced in the 
> > O'Reilly reference book 'Digital Audio Essentials' by Bruce and Marty Fries
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/BookRef
> >
> > Which can be bought from Amazon
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/DigitalAudioEsentials
> >
> > and elsewhere.
> >
> >
> > Scott Phillips wrote:
> > > Does anyone have any suggestions for software to apply the RIAA EQ curve
> > > to a file from a disk transfer ? I have Soundforge 9, and figure I could
> > > dial up the approximate curve, but is there anything specific out there
> > > ? Free is always nice, but not a requirement.
> > >
> > > Scott Phillips
> >
> > --
> > Mike Hirst
> > Managing Director
> > DAS-360°
> > 16 Ocean View
> > Whitley Bay
> > Tyne & Wear
> > NE26 1AL
> >
> > tel: 0191 289 3186
> > email: mike.hirst@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > web: http://www.das360.net