How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
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Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#2I'm a little surprised to learn that they use normal styluses instead of reading the grooves optically.
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#3I thought there was something in the early 2000s that used a laser (an array of them, actually) to map the grooves on a vinyl (or wax) record with perfect precision that allowed for the virtual audio processing of the record in higher quality than any physical stylus or pre-amp system could deliver. (There was also the side-benefit that the reading process didn't involve physical wear on the record or cylinder to optically record the grooves.)
Also, not being a vinyl expert, I would like to learn more about the different types of stylus and how that affects playback... does anyone have any links?
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#4It's worth noting that the Internet Archive are always on the lookout for more records to digitize, so if you (or someone you know) has a collection and wants to see them go to a good home where they'll be preserved, you can donate them [1] to the Internet Archive (they also take 33/45rpm records, books, CDs, etc...).
(I'm not affiliated with the Internet Archive)
[1] https://help.archive.org/hc/en-us/articles/360017876312-How-...
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#5I thought there was something in the early 2000s that used a laser (an array of them, actually) to map the grooves on a vinyl (or wax) record with perfect precision that allowed for the virtual audio processing of the record in higher quality than any physical stylus or pre-amp system could deliver. (There was also the side-benefit that the reading process didn't involve physical wear on the record or cylinder to opt…
There is such a laser record player, which costs $15k [1] and can only play black vinyl records [2].
[1] https://diffuser.fm/laser-turntable/ [2] https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/elp-lt-1lrc-laser-...
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#6I'm a little surprised to learn that they use normal styluses instead of reading the grooves optically.
More than that, they use 4 different styluses and let you choose which one you think sounds best for a particular record.
I think it's kind of sad that this is a purely volunteer effort and not an official effort of the Library of Congress.
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#7I thought there was something in the early 2000s that used a laser (an array of them, actually) to map the grooves on a vinyl (or wax) record with perfect precision that allowed for the virtual audio processing of the record in higher quality than any physical stylus or pre-amp system could deliver. (There was also the side-benefit that the reading process didn't involve physical wear on the record or cylinder to opt…
Optical turntables have major issues with dust and dirt. The records need to be extensively cleaned prior to being played [1], even for unplayed "virgin" vinyl. 78rpm (shellac) records are older than vinyl records, and tend to have more dust / dirt, so would require a lot of cleaning prior to archiving.
Although the more expensive of the optical turntables (the LT-master) has 78rpm capabilities, such capabilities are optional even on this high-end version.
I think it's basically down to costs - the costs of cleaning each record (I know they're cleaned already, but the process may need to be more involved to remove all dust), along with the tens-of-thousands for the player, probably don't make this economical on the scale the Internet Archive are looking for.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_turntable#Performance
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#8I just donated to the internet archive. I had not before and they keep doing such great work.
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#9Fascinating that we have so much history recorded on what started as insect secretions (shellac).
Re: How the Internet Archive digitizes 78rpm records
#10It's worth noting that the Internet Archive are always on the lookout for more records to digitize, so if you (or someone you know) has a collection and wants to see them go to a good home where they'll be preserved, you can donate them [1] to the Internet Archive (they also take 33/45rpm records, books, CDs, etc...). (I'm not affiliated with the Internet Archive) [1] https://help.archive.org/hc/en-us/articles/360017…
Truly, this was the internet I was promised — or at least hoped for — decades ago when it began.
Somehow I imagined the internet as a giant library — the Library of Alexandria for the modern age. The Encyclopedia Galatica.
Others thought it might better be the world's largest catalog. The Sky Mall.
I've personally scanned and cleaned up many old children's science-related documents and uploaded them to the Internet Archive.