Re: [ARSCLIST] Advice needed on how to restore an old acoustic recording

[Dan Nelson <dnelsonone@xxxxxxxxx>]

First question!!! 
Are you playing the disc  as if was a lateral recording ?  You need to   modify  the cartridge connections to play vertical recordings.
If you have not  modified the connections then you must do that before you think about stylus.
I have played vertical recordings withe .7 mil lp stylus, 2.5 mil tuncated and 4 mil truncated depending which gave the best reproduction.
To modify your cartridge connections (put the two coils in series) use the left  ground as ground. Use right + lead as the output lead.  connect  the L+ and the R- together/in series. This will give you a mono vertical output to your computer.
Hope this helps
dnward 


--- On Fri, 9/26/08, Eric Hollis <eric.hollis@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: Eric Hollis <eric.hollis@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [ARSCLIST] Advice needed on how to restore an old acoustic recording
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Friday, September 26, 2008, 1:57 PM
> Hi.  I'm an amateur at sound restoration. I don't do
> it as a profession, 
> just as a hobby that I really enjoy.
> 
> I purchased a Rek-O-Kut CVS-16 turntable that will play up
> to 16" discs, a 
> Stanton 500 cartrige and two styli (2.75TC, 3.0E). I
> transfer everything 
> thru a flat phono preamp, and do all the restoration and EQ
> in my software, 
> DC7Live.
>  
> I'm trying to restore a recording from 1916. It's
> on the Angelophone 
> label.  It is a vertical recording, seven inch, speech
> only.  I have 
> several copies of the recording, but I think they've
> all been damaged to 
> one extent or another.  I've tried playing them with a
> 2.75 TC diamond and 
> a 3.0 E.  The surface noise is quite pronounced.  I
> attached an mp3 of a 
> very short segment of the recording to let you see what
> I'm up against.
>  
> I don't have a microscope, and I don't want to
> continue buying styli until 
> I get the right one.  
>  
> My question: Would anyone on the list be willing to look at
> and make a 
> recommendation on the proper stylus to play these
> recordings? I'm in New 
> York, and I'd be willing to send the recording to
> someone for evaluation 
> and recommendation on what type stylus I should use.  I
> know it's a long 
> shot, but I'd really like to do a good job restoring
> these recordings.  If 
> anyone has any suggestions for a humble newbie, I'm
> listening.
> 
> Thanks for considering.
>  
> Sincerely, 
> Eric Hollis