Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)  (Read 2712 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Smokey

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
  • Gender: Male
Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« on: December 27, 2013, 11:14:25 PM »
The subject line may be slightly misleading- what I'm actually facing is cellulose to digital conversion.

While helping my mom to move last month, we came across a box titled "Bob's old records" which we assumed was some old paperwork. We were pleasantly surprised to discover the box actually contained some old discs that my grandfather had saved. "Bob" was a musician during the swing era, playing most of the major ballrooms from San Diego to Seattle during the 20's and 30's. It appears that some of the discs are live recordings, and quite a few have typewritten or hand-written labels which leads me to think they are not commercial releases. The box also contained a number of photographs which confirm that my grandfather was a member of the groups featured on these recordings, so most likely these discs were saved because he performed on them.

The turntable I have available will only play at 33 or 45 rpm, but many of the discs are 78's- I'll have to adjust the speed in Audition either by changing the sample rate or using the pitch bender tool. If anyone has experience with a project like this I'd welcome any advice! I'm also wondering whether it's safe to use a modern stylus on these old discs, most of which are cellulose. Cleaning the discs is another issue I'm not certain about and I won't attempt it without advice. The audio chain will be: Disc player>SonySTR-DE405>Sony M10(line-in@24/48). I assume the signal from the turntable will be in need of amplification before it reaches the recorder.

My ultimate goal would be to upload these recordings to the Community Audio section at archive.org, along with as much information as I can glean from the labels and photographs (names of band members, date and location of recordings etc.). Then I can add links on Ancestry.com for future generations to enjoy. For anyone curious, here are a few of the bands:

Vic Meyers Band (1924-1926)
Raymond Paige & His Orchestra (Hollywood Hotel radio broadcasts- 1936 & 1938)
Sophie Tucker (date unknown)
Miff Mole and His Molars (date unknown)
Packard Hour radio show with Dick Powell (1938)

Once again, I'd appreciate any advice from the knowledgable members of this forum! When finished I'll post links in the Kickdown section.

Smokey


Mics: Nevaton MCE400 / Naiant X-S
Pre: Tinybox v1.5
Recorders: Sony M10 / Edirol R09
Video: Canon HF M50

Offline 2manyrocks

  • Trade Count: (12)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1664
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2013, 12:12:12 AM »
For something so rare, irreplaceable and of such significant family history, I would ask several sources before doing anything and then compare answers to make sure I was on the right track with this.   Have you thought about asking a museum that deals with these kind of items?   

Marshall7

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2013, 12:19:47 AM »
Man...what a terrific find!  Good luck, I hope it works out.

runonce

  • Guest
  • Trade Count: (0)
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2013, 09:02:25 AM »
Working on a similar project here

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=135672.0

Offline Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 9940
  • Gender: Male
  • I dream in beige.
    • sloppy.art.ink
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2013, 09:24:09 AM »
I'm under the impression that adjusting the speed in post will give you poor results.

Not sure if these special records require special playback, but if a modern turntable will work I would find a used turntable that plays 78's...transfer the recordings and then re-sell the turntable for what you paid for it.

Sounds like quite the find. Any chance we can hear the results?
||| MICS:  Beyer CK930 | DPA 4022 | DPA 4080 | Nevaton MCE400 | Sennheiser Ambeo Headset |||
||| PREAMPS: DPA d:vice | Naiant Tinybox | Naiant IPA |||
||| DECKS: Sound Devices MixPre6 | iPod Touch 32GB |||
|||Concert History || LMA Recordings || Live YouTube |||

Offline tim in jersey

  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 3786
  • Gender: Male
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2013, 11:12:54 AM »
Don't know if Moke still hangs out around these parts much these days, but I'd shoot him a PM. Betcha he could offer some insight as to playback, care and handling of old 78s...

Offline 2manyrocks

  • Trade Count: (12)
  • Taperssection All-Star
  • ****
  • Posts: 1664
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2013, 11:27:28 AM »
I would like to know if using a 1970's era 33/45/78 stereo record player is even worth considering for this kind of project. 

I've been working on scanning our family photos and have been pleasantly surprised to discover that the software that came with the scanner has allowed me to clean up some of these pictures to a level that I didn't know was possible.  It's also possible to look at enlarged sections of photos and see facial expressions and details on the computer screen.   If you don't have a scanner, the Canon MG5420 photo printer/scanner was selling for about $50 recently.  Downside: mine doesn't handle thick photo paper. 

Also take a look at: http://www.gimp.org/  if you really need more powerful photo editing for free.

Between these 78 records and the photographs, you really have the makings of a GREAT family history project.  It would be a total blast to run those photos in a digital slide show with his music playing in the background. 
« Last Edit: December 28, 2013, 11:30:30 AM by 2manyrocks »

Offline Smokey

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
  • Gender: Male
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (links added)
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2014, 01:13:24 PM »
Thanks to everyone for the valuable info- it's clear that I'm out of my league as far as finding the correct playback equipment for these discs. I've discovered that the earliest titles (Vic Meyers, Miff Mole and Sophie Tucker) are available commercially as part of early jazz collections. The Vic Meyers tracks are also in the Community Audio section of archive.org, but most have heavy noise reduction applied.

What I'm most curious about are the ones from the mid-30s with the hand-written labels. I should be able to find a good vinyl store as I'm in the Los Angeles area- maybe they'll be able to send me in the right direction.

I don't have the band pictures at this time but here are links to a few of the discs:

http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0270_zpsa5230d08.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0269_zps09897e05.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0271_zps2cbb06e4.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0273_zpsfdc05623.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0272_zps6f2aea14.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0272_zps6f2aea14.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0279_zpsc22b9a1a.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0286_zpse2face37.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0288_zps2e3b8cdb.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0252_zps79e74f91.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0285_zps9bace1ea.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0277_zps1c1a184c.jpg
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s418/sm0key55/IMG_0267_zpsec0d6530.jpg

The last one on the list will be a family treasure as it lists grandpa (Bob Gordon) on the label as one of the composers. The "Cowboy in Harlem" disc is personally signed by the featured artist. Later this month I'll bump this thread with some band photos- there's a great one with "Pops" standing next to Miff Mole, who was considered the finest jazz trombonist of his time.

Mics: Nevaton MCE400 / Naiant X-S
Pre: Tinybox v1.5
Recorders: Sony M10 / Edirol R09
Video: Canon HF M50

Offline Tom McCreadie

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 56
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2014, 02:44:09 PM »
You could search or enquire at the following resources:

1. Diamond Cut Productions, users forum - lots of people doing transfer and clean up of their vinyl treasures

2.  'rec.audio.pro' newsgroup - a UK poster, Mr. Adrian Tuddenham, in particular, is a font of specialized knowledge in this field

3. Tracertek (Tracer Technologies) web site - for info on useful software and hardware

Be aware that no single EQ curve was implemented for old 78's (and 45's): there were differences between manufacturing labels, and sometimes over time within a label.

Offline Fried Chicken Boy

  • Trade Count: (8)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3023
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2014, 10:36:39 PM »
Be aware that no single EQ curve was implemented for old 78's (and 45's): there were differences between manufacturing labels, and sometimes over time within a label.

Definitely something to keep in mind when you're transferring.  78's also require a different needle/stylus than what you would use on 45's and 33's (your "standard" record).

This sounds like an awesome project.  Good luck!

Offline easyed

  • Trade Count: (6)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 277
  • get your Jam in the Can
Re: Vinyl to digital transfer (a few questions)
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2014, 10:54:44 AM »
I think another thing to be careful of is not to play the discs one single time more than absolutely necessary, because I think the needle will wear away significant info from the grooves.
Beyerdynamic CK-930s > Naiant Tinybox or Littlebox > Sony PCM-M10 or
DPA 4061's > Core Sound Battery Box > Sony PCM-M10 or
matrix: Sound Devices 744T or
multitracking: Audient ASP008 preamps > JoeCo Blackbox BBR1B

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.098 seconds with 35 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF