[78-L] Acoustic disc playback speed?

[Steven C. Barr]

From: "Dave at Audio Tech Transfer" <audiotechtransfer at bresnan.net>
> Greetings from Wyoming,
> One of my biggest frustrations with playing acoustic discs is trying to 
> determine correct playback speed.  I'm aware of the advice to listen for 
> certain notes, judge whether they're sharp or flat and adjust accordingly. 
> Which doesn't help as I'm not a trained musician and I don't have a clue. 
> I think I can get pretty close with recordings that have singing or 
> voices, but instrumentals are a real challenge.
> In doing research on various websites devoted to 78s, I've found advice 
> (which varies) but often cites these guidelines:
> Victor (early acoustics to 1909)          71.29 RPM
> Victor (later acoustics 1909-1925)      76.59 RPM
> Columbia (acoustic)                          80.00 RPM
> The general consensus seems to be that Edison DD are 80 RPM and they do 
> sound correct at that speed.
> I'm just not sure about the Victors and Columbias though, and I don't 
> trust my ears completely.  I'm currently transferring a large number of my 
> 78s to WAV files in preparation for a radio show I'll be doing at a local 
> college station.  So I'm understandably concerned about accuracy.  I also 
> have the occasional customer bring old acoustic discs for transfer to 
> digital, so customer needs are a consideration as well.
> Any tips on arriving at correct speed would be appreciated.  I'm using 
> Technics direct drive turntables for playback, so I've got capability to 
> adjust pitch within a +/- 9.9% range.
>
Collectors...especially of operatic vocal 78's...have argued for many 
decades
about the actual recorded speed of "important" 78's in this field...! Also, 
even
later 78's are NOT necessarily cut at 78.26; I own Waller's standard of
"Yo Feets Too Big," and played on a modern 78 player, it winds up in a
key of "Eb and a quarter!" I was trying to work out a harmonica solo...
but my record DOESN'T match my "harp"...?!

Steven C. Barr