The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

maja · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Hello, everyone! I recently came across the messageboard in an attempt to find out more about Presto and the discs that were cut with their machines. I have a client who is putting together a short historical film and wants to see what's on an old presto disc (and create a digital master).

Unfortunately I don't know much about this area. It's a 16 inch disc... besides that I know very little about it. Any ideas on what equipment I can use to transfer the contents into ProTools? After doing a little research, I'm thinking that a 6D or 6N could be used to play the disc back... but I've got no clue on who may have one for rental.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
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Bryan McGee
MAJA Audio Group
www.majamusic.tv

Amp Doc · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 108 Location: UK

Where are you???? I have presto 8N will play a 16in disc. Wont rent it out but I would do a transfer for you. Could put it on CD or minidisc. Just depends where you are!
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!Work or Bang Time!

cuttercollector · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 241 Location: San Jose, CA

First of all, the good news, it's just a record. The bad news is it is a 16" record. Any turntable capable of accomodating this size and the playback speed and having a pickup with a stylus of the correct diameter for the grooves will serve to play it back. Like any turntable, apropriate eq and level boost will be needed in the form of a phono pre-amp to make the analog signal level compatable with a standard line input on your A to D converter and then into your audio editing software etc. So, most anything useful for the transfer of more modern stereo Lps will work, but the turntable needs to have a few special features.
Presto made blank lacquer discs as well as cutters. Yours may or may not have been cut on an actual Presto machine. No matter. It is in all likelyhood recorded at either at 78 or 33 RPM non-microgroove (like conventional 78s) in mono, and it may be outside in like a conventional record or recorded from the inside out. (Put the needle at the center to start). It will be recorded with some older eq than the modern RIAA standard but no matter, you will probably adjust all that when you process the audio in your software.
All of this can be found out if not marked on the label by experimentation once you find a turntable that will play 16" discs at 78 and 33 RPM and has a microgroove and a standard stylus.
There are modern one sold for this purpose. You might look at this site for a start.
http://www.kabusa.com/

maja · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Amp Doc -- I'm in Philadelphia. I think based on cuttercollector's response I'll be able to find something that works, but thanks for the offer.

cuttercollector -- thanks a ton for this info. I will check out that site and see if I can find something that will work.

Good site, and a helpful community--great combo!
_________________
Bryan McGee
MAJA Audio Group
www.majamusic.tv

Amp Doc · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 108 Location: UK

I think westtech services does a 16inch transcripton transfer service and he is in usa If ya dont want to buy a turntable. He is well known in the cutting circle
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!Work or Bang Time!