[78-L] VARIABLE MICROGRADE 78

[Kristjan Saag]

The Variable Micrograde method, patented by Deutsche Grammophon in 1946, 
had nothing to do with variable pitch. It was the cutting speed that was 
varied, producing variable distance between grooves. This was made 
possible using twoplayback-headson the tape-recorder; the second head 
placed slightly before the 'official' head, pre-reading the signal and 
adjusting the cutting speed according to the signal volume. I.e. with 
softer passages the speed was less and with loud ones the speed was 
higher. Teldec used a similar method, called Fuellschrift.
German audiophile-sites recommend 2-2.5 mil-needles.
Here's more about it for those who can read German: a Der 
Spiegel-article from 1950, the year when Deutsche Grammophon released 
its first VM-discs.
http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-44449662.html
Kristjan

On 2013-05-03 01:47, David Lennick wrote:
> Deutsche Grammophon, Polydor, Archiv Productions and Phillips all made these in
> the 50s. Not microgroove, possibly 2-mil. Long sides were possible with tight
> grooving long before this..some V-Discs ran well over 6 minutes, and HMV got
> 6'45" onto one side of a string quartet in 1932.
>
> dl
>
> On 5/2/2013 7:36 PM, Ryan Wolfe wrote:
>> Yes, that is what it means.    There'll be no problem provided you have the right stylus for it.   And even then, a larger stylus still won't do much damage if you're tracking at a reasonable weight.
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>>    From: "neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com"<neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com>
>> To: 78-L Mail List<78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2013 4:32 PM
>> Subject: Re: [78-L] VARIABLE MICROGRADE 78 - What dat?
>>
>>
>> Perhaps it means variable pitch? Not in the sense of musical pitch, but
>> in the number of lines (grooves) per inch?
>>
>> I would not play such a record on your 78 table.
>>
>> joe salerno
>>
>>
>> On 5/2/2013 6:09 PM, Clifford Bolling wrote:
>>> Just got a small group of European records, including a 12" DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON that has a banner
>>> on the label saying VARIABLE MICROGRADE 78.  Not sure what that means.  Should I play it on my
>>> regular 78 turntable?
>>>
>>> Thanks!  CDB
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>>
>
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