I'm dying here :/

[gDavis_wax]

Newbie, who has been tinkering for awhile and and can get NO SOUND out of my Grooves.
I've already pulled my hair out (twice!)

I have an RCA Type 72 Recording Attachment on a Gates 70 Turntable.
I had the Cutting Head rebuilt by Gibb.
I have tried multiple materials, but am currently using Lexan 3mm Polycarbonate (have tried .006)
I have used Regular Turtlewax and Buffed.
I have used a Sapphire, a Cone And a Triangle Needle.

I'm using a Mono file at -3 peak

When using the Triangle, I can HEAR the music listening closely while embossing.

In every trial, I get good looking grooves, but NOTHING but static :/ Not a lick of music...

Please assist in anyway possible...I've really tried to work this out on my own and don't know what else to do.
HUGE Karma to anyone that can help me figure this out.

Big thanks in advance and respect to everyone on this board.
-C

[markrob]

Hi,

I assume the head is low impedance. Did you measure the coil DC resistance to confirm? Might be a good idea to create a 1Khz sine wave file and play that back while measuring the AC voltage at the head with a multi-meter. If we assume the head is 8 ohms, then adjust for 2.83 volts AC RMS at the head. This represents a 1 watt drive level. You should hear that from the head. Try cutting that test tone and lets see where you are.

Mark

[gDavis_wax]

So, I believe I am following you until...
"then adjust for 2.83 volts AC RMS at the head"

I will check for the 1khz Sine wave.

Thanks!

[markrob]

Hi,

The idea is to measure the actual voltage that appears at the head when you playback the 1Khz sine wave test signal. That insures you are driving the head with a reasonable signal that should result in a level on the disk. If you don't have one, run down to your local big box hardware store and pick up one. They are not too expensive (<$30 US) and have lots of uses.

Hope that makes sense.

Mark

[gDavis_wax]

Thanks Mark.

I ran the 1khz wave and I am not getting a Voltage Read :/
Bad Wire? Not enough 'Umph' from my Source? When I Ohm out the cord though, it seems fine??
Again- Gibb rebuilt my Head, so I feel pretty confident that the stumbling block is elsewhere in my flow.

My apologies as I'm sure this is talked about multiple times in the Newbie section (I just couldn't find a simple specific answer).

What would be the most simplest Sound Source to Use for getting a usable sound to the Cutter?
I want to simplify things as much as possible to at least get SOMETHING on there and then tweak/improve from there.
Specs? Wattage? Unicorn Dust?

I've been using a Laptop with a Focusrite 2i2 to the Head and hell if I know whether there's enough Voltage in that setup or not. I'm sure not getting anything with it.
I have access to multiple Vintage amps, etc.

Can't tell you how much I appreciate you and anyones else assistance with this...I've spent a lot of time on this and am stumped by what I, obviously, am not getting.

Trying to keep my chin up
Thx!

Some pics attached for the heck of it

[markrob]

Hi,

You need to connect the 2i2 to a power amp that has a 10-50 Watt output. The 2i2 cannot drive the head directly. Just as it can't drive a speaker directly. The the two devices are very similar. In fact to test if the signal path is correct, hook up a speaker and play your file. If the speaker gets loud, then you are set.

Mark

[Gridlock]

He's absolutely right ^^^^

[gDavis_wax]

So, perhaps use a standard Vintage amp instead?
I'll give that a shot.

thanks again.
stay tuned

[gDavis_wax]

Duh-
That's what you said :/

What is my output method from the Amp to the Head then?
Selecting MONO on my Amp for one I would assume, but my only Outputs would be:

Speaker:
Tape Out:
Headphone Out:

thanks!

[markrob]

Hi,

You have to drive the head from a speaker output. Headphone, tape or other line level output will not work. If in doubt, connect a regular speaker up to the output in place of the head. If you don't hear a signal, you don't have things setup correctly.

Mark

[gDavis_wax]

Thanks Mark!
I figured this to be the case.

I will update afterwards

[gDavis_wax]

You Cats rule. I've got music!
I believe it now is to just go through the hoops of tweaking stylus types, Materials, etc.

One last question...I'm having difficulty finding what my frequency range is on this Recording Head.
Any idea or general mastering guidelines (except Mono of course) that you would recommend?

Big thanks again...
I'm finally moving forward!

-C

[markrob]

Hi,

Glad you got that sorted out.

To start, I would limit yourself to top frequencies of about 8-10Khz. Once you gain some experience, you may find that you can push it a bit further.

Mark

[gDavis_wax]

Thanks Mark.
Looking forward to traveling down this path and giving back...

May have seemed simple to you, but your bits of shared info turned frustration into excitement.

So, thanks again.

-C