[78-L] EQ ideas for transferring acoustic 78s?

[Dave at Audio Tech Transfer]

Mike,

I've had great results using "Click Repair" software for cleaning up noisy 
78-WAV transfers.  There's a "Default 78" setting that effectively removes 
clicks & pops as well as crackle.  Plus it's possible to fine-tune results 
using more or less aggressive settings.  It's not free software, but there 
is a free download trial period.

For transfers, I'm using Technics turntables (with variable pitch control as 
needed), a Stanton 500 stereo cartridge, and a Bugle Pro variable EQ phono 
preamp.  For acoustic discs, I set the EQ to flat or nearly so.  With clean 
discs, I'll sum the stereo signal to mono, using the switch in the Bugle 
Pro.  That reduces surface noise considerably.  With heavily scratched or 
worn discs, I'll capture the recording in stereo.  The advantage with this 
approach is that often the left or right channel will exhibit less damage. 
I discard the bad channel, and save the better channel as a stereo 16 bit 
WAV file.

I also have an assortment of styli ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 mil and will 
often swap out styli to get the best and cleanest sounding results.

Dave Rose
aka Cactus Cowboy

> Message: 21
> Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:10:22 -0400
> From: Mike Daley <mikedaley at gmail.com>
> Subject: [78-L] EQ ideas for transferring acoustic 78s?
> To: 78-L Mail List <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
> Message-ID: <BANLkTinXbL9zV9Of+=BuLp1FUMsMbcA0vQ at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I've been transferring a pile of acoustic 78, mostly from 1905-1915, using
> GarageBand. GB has a 31-band graphic EQ plugin that I've been using to
> reduce surface noise and bring out the best sounding frequencies to my 
> ears.
> When I get a good sounding curve I save it, and I've been finding that
> certain curves match with record companies - thus I have a Columbia EQ, a
> Victor EQ, and so on.
> Here's a screenshot of the EQ:
> https://picasaweb.google.com/113739142351242060883/Records?authkey=Gv1sRgCN2CxfnNztqZjQE&feat=directlink
> Does anyone have tips for bringing the best out of records from this era?
>
> thanks for any advice.
>
> Mike