The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

cementimental · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 32

Hi,
just wondering if anyone knows for sure if it's wise/ok to play Dictaphone Soundscriber records on a normal record player, eg a DJ turntable?

I understand this sort of record is embossed rather than actually cut, does this (or any other factor) mean it shouldn't be played back with modern cartridges for whatever reason?

Thanks!

cuttercollector · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 307 Location: San Jose, CA

I think the question would be more of not being able to play the discs. Media won't really damage a stylus unless it has some huge physical defect like a crack that could break the stylus off. Because the soundscriber discs have a shallower embossed groove, they might play best with a larger stylus like for 78s and with something that can trace at light weights without too much side drag, like perhaps a linear tracking arm of some sort. I think the problem will be, as I said, actually getting the stylus to track. I am also not certain if they are cut hill and dale or lateral or what the speed is.

cementimental · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 32

Cool... I did have a bit of a go playing a disk on a DJ turntable and it more or less worked tho it was very scratched and thus skipped a lot.

I recorded it, if anyone's interested you can hear: http://www.cultivatetwiddle.com/temp/dictaphonemessage.mp3

Just a short clip, this was all that was playable alas. Quite nice! Recording was WAY quieter than surface noise so i compressed a lot.

diamone · Joined: 09 Aug 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Silicon Valley

Remember, the soundscriber stylus is not conical shaped, but rather sort of doorknob-shaped like a 2-minute cylinder stylus. Although those are a little big for the groove, they don't work too bad if you are trying to play them with a modern magnetic cartridge on a normal turntable.
_________________
2 Kinds of Men/Records: Low Noise & Wide Range. LN is mod. fidelity, cheap, & easy. WR is High Fidelity & Abrasive to its' Environment. Remember that when you encounter a Grumpy Engineer. ( Very Happy

)

alienmanstk · Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 19

Hello, I am new here. But am also inteterested in the soundscriber. With the 4inch disks, is one actually able to get them to play on a record player before the arm clicks and stops the turntable? Can you replave the stylus of the soundscriber , with one that actually cuts a groove?On the sounscriber, is there a mic input, or just a mic that is built in to the machine? Also, does the recordio/recordette embosse or actaully cut a groove into a blank?
Thanks ,

Sam