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78 rpm Calibration Disc Set
AUDIO ENGINEERING SOCIETY
RELEASES 78 RPM CALIBRATION DISC SET
AES Standards provides a rare opportunity to calibrate playback equipment for 78 rpm coarse-groove records
Recognising an international need for calibration tools, the AES Standards Working Group on Transfer Technologies (SC-03-02) initiated a project to calibration playback equipment for coarse-groove 78 rpm records. The result is now available as a boxed set of two identical 12-inch vinyl discs, catalogue number AES-S001-064. The two discs allow one to be used as a day-to-day working tool while the other may be stored as a master reference.
This calibration disc set is important because:
- It will confirm playback calibration according to International Standard IEC 98 Edition 1 (1958) and Edition 2 (1964) for coarse-groove records;
- Many different recording characteristics were used historically on earlier 78 rpm discs. Also, many earlier coarse-groove discs were cut at nominal speeds different from 78 rpm. Unless the reproducer can be calibrated at a known speed, there can be no objective basis to decide what playback equalization characteristic will be appropriate or correct;
- Calibration discs have become rare since they were first made in the 1950s;
- Archives and libraries throughout the world will to be able to calibrate their disc reproduction chains consistently and interchangeably;
- Smaller transfer and restoration businesses will be able to offer a service calibrated to international standards;
- Private collectors will be able to refine their appreciation of their vintage collections.
SIDE A: Gliding tone, 20 Hz to 20 kHz Speed: 77,92 rpm Lateral (mono) coarse groove Time constants; 3180/450/0 ms Separate outer & inner bands: 1 kHz trigger tone Gliding tone, 20 Hz to 20 kHz 1 kHz reference level* *20 mm Light Band Width (LBW); approx 8 cm/s peak-to-peak, 5,7 cm/s rms |
SIDE B: Single tones,18 kHz to 30 Hz Speed: 77,92 rpm Lateral (mono) coarse groove Time constants: 3180/450/50 ms (Pressed under license from EMI Records Ltd.) |
Further details on the content, origins, and use of this Calibration Disc Set may be found on the AES Standards Web site.
This is a limited pressing of 500 sets in highest-purity vinyl. When this batch has gone, we hope to be able to order a second pressing. Because the supply of suitable vinyl material, and the availability of coarse-groove pressing, to achieve reference quality is becoming scarce, we cannot guarantee that these discs will be available in the future. If coarse-groove records are important to you, you should act now.
IMPORTANT: This is a vinyl pressing and is not for use with mechanical reproducers or earlier electrical pickups using steel styli. Use a lightweight pickup only.
To purchase this set please press the button below.
Item Name Member Other 78 rpm Calibration Disc Set $99.00 $135.00
For information on volume discounts please contact AES Publications or telephone +1 212 661 8528.