Jump to content

RIAA software mod and 78rpm=blown minds


Mallette

Recommended Posts

Too much play and not enough total abandon make Dave a dull boy. I will put up some results of my experiment in moding a VST RIAA plugin to deal specifically with all the various flat as Death Valley earliest discs to RIAA of the late 40s. I sold my Empire 598 Mk II that was dedicated to 78s as well as the awesome Rek-O-Kut Re-equalizer that, with 57 different curves provides audibly perfect EQ for any 78. Problem is they cost 450.00 now and, while well worth that, I really could see why hardware should be necessary. 

 

So, it's codn' time again. Only took about an hour and it worked. 
To replace my Empire, I purchased a Dual 1229 in mint condition for a 125 bucks as it is good enough. If the TT adds or subtracts nothing from the music the rest of the money is spent on vanity in my experience. Put an Ortofon 2M on it at about 300.00. Ridiculous overspend on that, but heck, I love my 2M Black and figured it needed company. The Stanton AL 500 that I had on my Empire is about 75 bucks and, Crikey...we are talking speeds, mass, huge grooves such that you could probably get decent sound with a straight pin stuck through the bottom of a paper cone cup. That's horn loading, too. Did exactly that as a kid and it sounded quite decent. For a preamp, there is only one that is unsurpassed for 78's. The Technolink TC-778 RIAA Phono Preamp from phonopreamps.com. 70 bucks. So, for the 600 my friend gave me (the Empire alone is worth at least that) I replaced the entire chain for change over 400 and appear to have achieved an improvement like Klipschorns over Bose. 

 

Hooked it up and recorded to my Tascam DA3000 in DSF. Again, overkill but it's the one I bought to archive PWK's 400 reel to reel records and flat from DC to light, so might as well. Transferred the files to my HT PC and played them back through the modded RIAA VST. Set it manually by ear the first time as was overwhelmed. As writing about sound is like talking about paintings you'll have to wait to judge for yourself. 

 

Think I'll be spending a LOT of time archiving more of my collection. Did about 20 this morning. Here's one. "All Shook Up." Original worn, but good condition. 78s were bullet proof except for breakage. Even then you can glue them back together and use impulse noise filters to get rid of the pop. 

All Shook Up.mp3

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A friend, mostly deaf professional musician and music instructor, was ripping some 78s he was given and asked me to EQ the signal before it was digitized using an 8 band EQ with sliders.

he was using spin it again sw

 

Raw signal was horrible

Few adjustments yielded a natural sounding female voice

Ran it through software to minimize noise and pops

Final work product sounded pretty good

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I utilized broken 78's to do antique restoration.  You put the pieces in a mason jar, add some mineral spirits, and voila!  You have a topcoat varnish that will match old finishes.  You could also use it as a wipe down fluid for the antique varnishes that had become 'alligator skin', smoothing the original finish without needing to strip and re-spray.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Oicu812 said:

I utilized broken 78's to do antique restoration.  You put the pieces in a mason jar, add some mineral spirits, and voila!  You have a topcoat varnish that will match old finishes.  You could also use it as a wipe down fluid for the antique varnishes that had become 'alligator skin', smoothing the original finish without needing to strip and re-spray.

Trust me. I  know what I  am doing. -"Sledge Hammer" 1980 something. 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...