About the audio files

Getting good transfers of these tracks has been tricky, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be satisfied. Some of the records are not in great shape. My turntable (I recently replaced my Dual 1229 with an Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB) and my cartridge (Grado 78C) are OK but not great. I’ve been curious about trying an elliptical stylus, but the size I’d need would cost around $200 and that’s more than I’m willing to spend. I also use an ART DJPREII Phono Turntable Preamplifier which gives me more flexibility.

I’ve experimented with different digital processing options as well but have not yet found the magic bullet. I currently use Adobe Audition which has some decent noise processing plugins.

Setting playback speed has also been challenging. It’s well-known that playback speed in the acoustic era was highly variable between manufacturers and even sessions. Being a professional saxophonist and experienced arranger, I am fairly skilled at hearing the timbre changes in the alto between C# and D and other clues (like when low B-flats occur in the bass) that let me make a good guess as to the original key. All these transfers have been speed-adjusted to their original keys. I suppose it’s possible that earliest recordings were made on instruments pitched higher than A440, but I aimed for A440.

Although the Columbia transfers were all done electronically from my Dual, I also recently acquired a wonderful Victor Credenza, widely hailed as the pinnacle of acoustic phonographs. I hope to post more audio (and video) of the Credenza playing some of these sides.