Overview

Task

Digitization of a 78 rpm grammophone record

Timeline

Search the correct equalizing setting of the record (need to set the Graham Slee Phono preamp or enter the settings in the Diamond Cut Software)
Digitizing with latest Audacity release or Diamond Cut (24-bit, 192 kHz, quality 10 of 10 in Audacity)
Modify the metadata (I have created a template with additional fields), check it out in Metadata
For the first I add all information from the record into the metadata:
- Inventory-Number
- Catalogue number
- Order number
- Matrix
- Artist
- Work title
- Subtitle
- Description
- Genre
- Equalizer settings, Record Cleaning Machine, Cartridge and Stylus or Laser turntable (Example: EQ: Graham out, out, 250Hz - MM: Stanton 500-II, D 5107, RCM: KMAL)
- URL to the record in our MediaWiki (Example URL)
After the rightsclearing I have to update the metadata again

Process

Digitization and Continous Workflow

I have been specializing in the digitization and rightsclearing of historical audio documents for eleven years. The processes and procedures have been continuously improved through my daily work. It is very difficult to find sponsors and at the same time to provide a continous workflow of high-quality digitized audio files with error-free metadata fields, well-documented informations about the 78 rpm records and finally the rightsclearing with irrefutable evidence that the recording is actually in the public domain.

Equalizing

The CC-Zero-Project is using three different phono preamplifiers. This means that the audio signals can be processed in the best possible quality by taking the correct equalizer setting. Acoustic and electrical recordings before 1925 had no cutting characteristics. Smaller labels only began to standardize their recordings in the mid-of the 1930s. Before the introduction of the RIAA equalization in 1955 there was no standardization. There was wild growth.

Reproducing Old Records
Equalize and digitize 78 rpm records (German)