Horray .. the first keeper :)

[mischmerz]

It's official - I cut my first keeper. That is the first record, that was "acceptable" in the ears of my audiophile husband. Here's what I learned: It's not a good idea to get mono by simply combining left and right channel outputs from the computer. So I used audacity to convert the song to mono, to apply RIAA and to slightly compress it. My husband checked the result of every stage of the process and finally listened in on the production feed (just one lead from the computer output) while I was busy cutting.

The result was as loud as a pressed record and sounded just beautiful - even on my husbands Thorens and McIntosh speakers. I am cutting with a Rek-O-Cut and a Grampian Type C head with a ruby stylus.

I'd like to thank everybody who patiently listened to and answered even my most stupid questions. I would not have been able to get that far with out you.

Michaela

[piaptk]

You got a Grampian? Nice. That will definitely get you there!

[mischmerz]

You got a Grampian? Nice. That will definitely get you there!

Yes. I followed Len's advise and was lucky enough not only to track down a beautiful Grampian, but to find one that was well cared for.

Michaela

[studiorp]

Can you post here a sample cutted with your Grampian C ?
Thanks.

[mischmerz]

sinatra_demo.png

Happy to oblige.

[mischmerz]

.. and here's the link to a short audio (type flac).

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B82m3JXf-N_7bVNDTDhPRXYyQnc

[studiorp]

Compliments, but how is possible that the type C that goes max. within 10khz (declared by factory) sounds very good ?
Then in this head there isn't feedback system as in type D.

Which type of blank and stylus do you use ?

[mischmerz]

Compliments, but how is possible that the type C that goes max. within 10khz (declared by factory) sounds very good ?
Then in this head there isn't feedback system as in type D.

Which type of blank and stylus do you use ?

This particular cut was made on Apollos with a fairly worn ruby. As to the frequency: Quite frankly: I don't know. AFAIK the Grampians resonance frequency is 10 Khz. But in anyway .. it sounds great and that is what I wanted.

mm.

[EpicenterBryan]

It's official - I cut my first keeper. That is the first record, that was "acceptable" in the ears of my audiophile husband.

Just great!

[crowesBR]

That's awesome.
I'm doing some testing with Audacity too (still waiting for my lathe to cut).

So I used the same thing.
Open the file > Convert to mono > Apply RIAA and invert > Use the Compressor filter (checked the highs and lows and used Threshold and ratio only).

So far is good. Need to cut to see. Can't wait to get my Lathe piaptk is putting together

Thanks for the sample. Helped me a lot.

Anderson

[mischmerz]

Well - I advanced a bit since back then. I do the mono'ing and the iRIAA now directly in the audio chain, no need for audacity anymore since I am cutting stuff directly from tape and want to keep everything analog. However - I am also looking around for options in regard to a new lathe. I have customers who want Stereo and my trusted Rek-O-Kut is just not up to the task - even if I would mount a stereo head. The rumble of the rim-drive is a non-no for 33 rpm stereo recordings.

Michaela

[crowesBR]

Yeah. I know. Late reply. Sorry.
But I just found this thread and I needed to reply.
Inspiring.

Loved your Sinatra cut.

I'm starting in the 'lathe cut scene', so this was inspiring for me. And I'm sure will be for some noobs.

What we can do and where we can go. Love it. Just love it.

BTW, Why can't you mount a stereo head in the ROK? Was thinking when I know my Presto to mount one. Instead of spending $$ (that I don't have) for a Newman.

Anderson

[Gridlock]

First off, len is a true gem in a @$!#:; up world. a real diamond in the rough literally. He lives sound every day solid gold. second, grampian with or without feedback is a real treasure and should be regarded as such. Those things will last forever literally with proper care. third, mono cuts are the jam

[crowesBR]

First off, len is a true gem in a @$!#:; up world. a real diamond in the rough literally. He lives sound every day solid gold. second, grampian with or without feedback is a real treasure and should be regarded as such. Those things will last forever literally with proper care. third, mono cuts are the jam

Amen.

Glad I'm in the right place.

Thanks all for being part of this and accept me.

P.S.: Hope I find a good Grampian head one day.

[mischmerz]

My Grampian is a blast for sure. I am very happy with it, especially for 45rpm and 78rpm cuts. I record the 45rpm at 33rpm which allows for great upper frequencies even for modern 45 jukeboxes. Cutting at 33rpm is somewhat problematic, as the frequency range is a bit limited and the older rim-drive units produce a lot of noise.

Michaela

[Gridlock]

I record the 45rpm at 33rpm which allows for great upper frequencies even for modern 45 jukeboxes. Cutting at 33rpm is somewhat problematic, as the frequency range is a bit limited and the older rim-drive units produce a lot of noise.

Michaela

Exactly!

[Snug Music]

is that a monocut?

michaela,..have u a pink-noise-curve, when u have rocord done?
best regards

Scotty

[Snug Music]

.. and here's the link to a short audio (type flac).

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B82m3JXf-N_7bVNDTDhPRXYyQnc

very great!!!

good sound!

[mischmerz]

Scotty -

I did some test while putting the dampening fluid into the head. This is the last one - no equalization applied:

plot6.jpg