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The production of a modern disc phonograph record is quite different from a cylindrical phonograph. I'll try to give a basic outline of the electro-mechanical process as it was before digital recording was introduced. First, the musicians perform into microphones. Signals from the microphones are boosted using either high quality microphone amplifiers or step-up Transformers, and then fed to a professional multi-track analogue tape recorder. I believe that most studios used 32 track Ampex decks. To preserve fidelity the tape speed on these tape recorder were very high. I believe that typically it was 32 inches per second. This high speed reduces noise and distortion, and increases frequency response and dynamic range of the recording. Once recorded, the multiple channels are mixed down to two channels for stereo, and these two tracks are laid down on a master stereo tape. The next step is to produce a master disc using a special cutting lathe. The cutting lathe operates something like a record player only in reverse. It has a rotating platter like a turntable where a blank master disk is placed and turned. Held above the rotating disk is a record cutting head with a special stylus that's used to cut a groove into the blank master disk. The master stereo tape is played, and the stereo signal from the tape player is fed to very powerful and accurate amplifiers. The high power signals from the amplifiers drive the stylus on the lathe's cutting head, causing it to vibrate in sympathy to the input stereo signal. The cutting head is lowered onto the outside of the rotating master disk, much like a phono cartridge on a regular record player. When the vibrating stylus contacts the surface of the master disk, it cuts a groove into the surface. While this happens, the entire cutting head moves tangentially across the rotating blank master from the outside of the disk to the inside much like a tonearm on a record player. Once the side is cut that side of the master disk is created. The process is repeated for the second side of the record using a new blank master. This master is used to create molds which are used to press the disks which are sold to people. The molds, or stampers, are like negatives of the master disks and the final vinyl product sold to people. Instead of grooves the stampers have raised ridges. The stampers press vinyl blanks. The raised ridges being pressed on the blanks create the grooves. Now you have the final product ready for playback on a record player. This is a description which I believe is basically correct, and if I've made any errors please let others know. From the following web site: http://www.creative-science.org.uk/RS2phono.html The phonograph is made up of several parts. Firstly the horn is used to collect the sound. This can be made of cardboard, in the Rough Science version we used a large metal funnel. At the bottom of the horn we need to fix a diaphragm. The diaphragm needs to be made of a thin but stiff material that will be strong enough to hold the stylus but be able to vibrate to the sound. We found that we got very little vibration by fixing the diaphragm directly onto the horn. However, when we used a small tin can fixed to the horn it worked very well (the tin can acts as a 'sound box' and increases the efficiency of transfer of sound to vibration). The thin metal bottom of the can formed the diaphragm. In the middle of the diaphragm we pushed a drawing pin through to form the stylus. As a simple test when you talk into the horn you can easily feel the drawing pin vibrate. The recording cylinder we used was formed of two wooden circles mounted on a piece of studding (long thread). These were held apart and fixed in place by wooden blocks between them and the whole thing was then covered in many layers of wax till we had built up a wax cylinder. Two nuts were placed on the thread and these were held in place on two supports fixed to the wooden base of the phonograph. A handle was then placed at one end of the thread. When the handle was turned the cylinder rotated but because of the screw thread it also moved along. The wax cylinder now needs to be made as precise a shape as possible. This is done by holding a razor blade firmly onto one the side of the wax disc while turning it fast. When the handle is turned very fast the razor shaves off excess wax. You don't need to move the razor as the cylinder will move along on its own accord. If this is done a few times a wonderfully smooth and precision cylinder of wax can be produced. The horn-diaphragm-stylus unit then needs to be fixed onto the base but able to move so that the position of the drawing pin on the wax can be adjusted. This is best done using a hinge of some construction and another screw thread to make the final adjustment onto the wax.

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How many phonographs were made?

The exact number of phonographs produced is difficult to determine, as many were manufactured by various companies over several decades. The earliest phonographs were created by Thomas Edison in the late 19th century, and by the early 20th century, companies like Columbia and Victor began mass production. Estimates suggest that millions of phonographs were made throughout their popularity, especially during the early to mid-20th century, but comprehensive records are lacking.


What is the value of The Mandel Phonograph 1919?

The Mandel Phonograph from 1919 is a rare and historically significant piece of audio equipment, valued primarily for its antique status and unique design. Depending on its condition, restoration, and market demand, its value can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Collectors of early 20th-century technology and phonographs specifically may place a higher premium on such items. For an accurate appraisal, consulting a specialist or appraiser in vintage audio equipment is recommended.


Who made the network Nickelodeon?

etymologically, Nickelodeon- is a blend word of nickel- a five cent coin, and Odeon which lliterally meant voice of the Gods, and was a famous theatre in Paris, Bernhardt having beena regular attraction. In popular usage from about the turn of the century to the twenties the term meant A. a coin-operated player piano, common in Western Bars, B. a coin operated movie machine of the type that was generally hand-cranked such as International Mutoscope. and By Extension- a Juke Box . The modern use of Nickelodeon as a juvenile TV package is entirely different than the original meaning. I do not know who invented the Player piano, Both Edison and Berliner were activ e in the phonograph field, including Juke Boxes, or coin-operated phonographs which sounds more dignified. other than that- there was a popular song called Nickelodeon where it is clearly a music device- either a player piano or a juke box. I hope this is of some help, Nickelodeon is indeed an old-fashioned if not obsolete term, good to see it revived.


What is the product with the slogan ' the gift that keeps on giving '?

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Related Questions

The invention of what was a boom to the recording business in 1920?

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Are Phonographs still used?

You can by vinyl record albums of many current releases. Phonographs (record players) are still made by many manufacturers.


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What is the value of a 1916 Sonora Phonograph?

Phonographs are evaluated on condition, rarity, and desirability of the design. Re-painting, mis-matched parts, damage, missing pieces, and poor running motors devalue phonographs. Sonoras are in the mid-level of desirable phonograps. Outside horn phonographs are more desirable than "victrolas" (brand name of Victor phonographs that were produced with internal horns) the term that was most often attached to internal (or hidden) horn phonographs. Most victrolas are worth between $100 to $500 dollars in excellent condition and most horn phonographs are worth from $300 to $1,200 dollarsin the American market (I've been collecting them for 12 years and that has been my observation only!). Other variables on value include location and size of the instrument.


Which was developed before the MRI the cotton gin steel the DVD or phonographs?

Steel was develped first in the 13th century.


Did they have ipods 100 years ago?

No. they had phonographs. Ipods have been around for a little more than 10 years.


What are the disadvantages of a phonographs?

It is too much big so easily not carried .while doing any work or traveling I can not use this.


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Phonographs and gramophones started in the 1890s. We have been inventing improved models and new systems ever since then.


The invention of was a boom to the recording business in the 1920s.?

phonographs answer 2 As the phonograph had been invented during the 1870's the correct answers is - electric recording.


Were juke boxes around in the 1940s?

Yes they did in fact exist. During the 1890s, recordings had become popular primarily through coin-in-the-slot phonographs in public places.


What was the phonographs weigh?

The weight of a typical phonograph can vary depending on the model and make. However, a standard portable phonograph might weigh around 10-15 pounds.


Who invented phonograph?

The phonograph was invented by Thomas Alba Edison in 1877. He invented the phonograph in Menlo Park, New Jersey.