Old turntable question

What is the kind of turntable called with the old big round needle

Mr.T...

99%

Mr.T...

the

kludge...

Yes, but the end result is that you have changed all your EQ constants in
the de-emphasis network. Probably not too critical if you're making a minor
speed change on a 78 where the de-emphasis is being selected by ear, but
it makes half-speed playing of RIAA discs very problematic.

Mr.T...

Sure, but not what we were talking about, and not much point anyway.
However the EQ *can* be fixed in software even in that case.

kludge...

What's so hard about turning the knob until it sounds right? The easy way
is to have the right turntable with the right control, and you turn the
knob until it's in tune.

Paul Stamler...

Of course, "in tune" is problematical when you're doing a recording where
the musicians may not be tuned to A440 concert pitch, like the string band
stuff I work on. Sometimes you need to use a spectrum analyzer and look for
a 60Hz component, and see whether it's really 60Hz, tweaking the speed if
it's not.

kludge...

I used to use a parametric for that... just set it as tight as possible
and set it for boost, then sweep it back and forth until the hum is
severely exaggerated. Widen it out a little bit so you have some room,
then turn on an electric motor and beat the two notes together by ear.

Don't use the ceiling fan, though. It's an induction motor designed to
always be operated stalled, so it can sound more than a whole note flat.

Mr.T...

Assuming the few percent variation allowable on the mains frequency is not
an issue for you.

Paul Stamler...

(the long term frequency variation is usually adjusted, but short term
fluctuations are permissible in all the generating plants I'm aware of)

Still it's often a quick way to get pretty close if the error is much higher
than that, as long as you realise much of the world is 50Hz rather than
60Hz.
If you go adjusting British or Australian recordings for 60Hz hum, you're
going to be a LONG way out!

Paul Stamler...

Of course. Given the kind of music I like, I don't see many of those,
although a couple of days ago I was working on a disc by Gigli that was
recorded in Europe. Mostly, though, I do old-time music from the USA.

Peace,
Paul

Peace,
Paul

Mr.T...

Maybe if you actually *read* what I originally replied to, you would see the
problem with twiddling a knob that does *not* have sufficient speed range
for the purpose. If *you* would rather buy a new turntable just to get
sufficient speed control, rather than simply resampling in software, then
don't let me stop you.

Paul Stamler...

99%

Paul Stamler...

the

Paul Stamler...

So am I. I've adjusted speed in the computer (open the plug in, select your
speed change, choose between "change pitch", "change tempo" and "change
both", click "OK") and I've adjusted it by turning a knob on the turntable.
Which do *you* think is easier?

Mr.T...

What has that got to do with what was said though?
The software method is *FAR* easier if your turntable lacks sufficient
speed range, which is what I pointed out.

Eiron...

I hope you remember to re-equalize it after playing it at the wrong speed.

Paul Stamler...

Not really an issue; the difference in equalization between 75 rpm and 78
rpm is a hair over 1/3 of a dB, and equalizations on 78s aren't near that
level of precision.

Peace,
Paul

That said, I occasionally use the computer for speed adjustments when I
decide I was wrong when I transferred the disc.

Peace,
Paul

holder and pen tip-like needles? Apparently it is what I need to play
home recorded vinyl and/or most 10" 78's. I have forgetten what it is
called. Mostly I'm wondering if there are any of those types that have
any audio outputs, or if they just have built in speakers. I'd like to
record from it straight to my PC is possible.

=?ISO-8859-1?Q?w=DF?=...

antique...

Just kidding. Victrola maybe?