[Dixielandjazz] More on 78 analog to digital transfers

[Paul Reid]

Rocky, Cary, Andy, et: al
       Years ago, fooling around with the old Edison diamond disc
records, I found that I could track either the left or right wall of the
groove separately and produce a clear mono signal by using a stereo
cartridge and a microgroove stylus. Later on, I also found that by using
a 3  point mono stylus, or higher depending on the width of the 78
groove of a standard groove format of 78 recording, I could channel left
and right walls separately. Older 78 tone arms would sometimes favor one
wall or the other when playing records, producing more wear on one side
or the other.. Not only electrical 78 phonographs, but also victrola's
with the old diaphragm pickups.
        If played monauraly, with a mono cartridge both walls, and all
surface noise, will be picked up. But with a stereo cartridge both walls
can be sampled separately. One wall may be cleaner than the other at
different intervals during a playing.
         What I initially do is feed both walls, separately into a
board, on different channels. Whatever the cleanest signal is, will be
what I will keep at that point, with the other channel being sub level.
Why? Because, doing this also will cancel or phase out more surface
noise. This is positionong your pan pots on each channel at 12 O'Clock
or sleightly to the left or right of that for the best signal.  From
that board and through a separate equilizer, it is sent into a Berringer
Denoiser, and out into another board for final mixdown. Then, recorded
onto whatever source you choose for volume level balance,  like a DAT
deck etc. 
           This system will give you more control prir to sending this
through a computer program. And will give the program more to work with.
              I will program track numbers etc. on the Dat, and then
transfer that optically on to a rewritable CD on my CD recorder. That
recorder will automatically copy all digital info from the DAT,
including programming. If there are any glitches at that point, I can
correct them on the Rewritable CD, and then burn a CD-R. 
         Before transferring into a CD recorder, it could also be sent
to a computer for even more enhancement, THEN sent to a CD recorder.
 
        Rocky Ball was correct in stating, that using rewritable's will
save many mistakes, and CD blank's..

The results are worth the effort.

Uncle ( "Whoops" Take 2. ) Paul

Song content; ("Left Right Left")