Tech: audio transfer 78s to cd

Subject: Tech: audio transfer 78s to cd
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 07:01 PM

I would like to transfer some old 78rpm records to cd. These are recordings of my wifes great grandmother who composed sang and performed music hall songs with her two brothers in the Toronto area in the 1930s.

The only problem is that I dont have access to a 78rpm turntable. My question is would it work to play the records at 45rpm - record it and take the digital file and speed it up with audio software.

I could try and locate an old turntable that plays 78rpm. Or for that matter find a service (in the Vancouver area) that would do a conversion.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
Petr

Subject: RE: Tech: audio transfer 78s to cd
From: robomatic
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 07:57 PM

Petr:

I'm sure that sooner rather than later someone with more experience than me will hop in, but what occurs to me is:

You must verify that the needle and any hardware you utilize on the 78's will not harm the 78's and will get the best rendition from the Lps available. 78's were all monophonic and probably have the sound making parts of the record in a different place than more modern needles, equipped to pick up stereo or compatible mono recordings. So check out that you can safely pickup the sounds.

I think the idea of utilizing software to make up the difference in speed is feasible, but you should experiment with your software to make sure it can indeed do this.

I believe that some 'modern' turntables not only could play 33's but also 78's, and those would be the ones to check out, since you need an analog electric output from the turntable.

Subject: RE: Tech: audio transfer 78s to cd
From: treewind
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 08:00 PM

A 45 RPM player would have entirely the wrong sort of needle and would probably play al the dirt at the bottom of the groove instead of the music.

Better to find a transcription service that has a good 78rpm turntable that will get the best sound and not ruin your records (NOT a worn-out old one)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: audio transfer 78s to cd
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 01:25 AM

If you really get stuck, give me a shout Here and I'll do them for you.

Being a mudcatter it would cost you postage and a small donation of your choice to the Mudcat fund.


whb

Subject: RE: Tech: audio transfer 78s to cd
From: NH Dave
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 01:42 AM

Perhaps you could find a multispeed turntable in a used electronics shop that would work. Be sure that the one you get has two cartridges and needles on the tone arm, usually on a rotating fitting that can be turned with a very small handle sticking out from the front of the tone arm. 33rpm records use much narrower "needles" and are usually set up with the two sets of pickups needed to play the stereo tracks on this media.

    Lenco, a Swiss company, made turntables with continuously variable speeds from around 16rpm all the way up to around 90rpm. They sold a lot of their turntables to Bogen a US maker of multi speed record players for elementary school classrooms some time back, so that might be another place to look.

Dave

Subject: RE: Tech: audio transfer 78s to cd
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 02:58 PM

Appreciate the feedback, and the offer whb, although since these are the only extant copies the idea of mailing them is too scary. What I will do is look around for old turntables in used electronics shops etc.
Cheers
Peter