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From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad Hello, Eric Hollis asked: I'm trying to transfer and > restore some Angelophone recordings (7" vertical recordings from 1916). ----- first of all, I do not know these recordings, and to some extent that disqualifies me from providing a precise answer. However, there are several possibilities to choose from. Also, some recordings around that time could be based on simultaneous vertical and lateral recording--at least according to the patents of the time. On > the B side of these recordings, there is a talk by an elderly gentleman who > was very softspoken. The recording seems to have a faint "echo", meaning > that I'm hearing a faint recording of the gentleman as he speaks. The > faint recording is ahead of the main recording. ----- are you sure that it is precisely the same sound that you hear as a pre- echo? If it is a direct to disc recording, then if the wax master had not been shaved properly after a previous recording, there might still be traces. If it is merely a different take, then the programme content would be the same. If it is a cylinder-to-disc recording (Pathé style), then, potentially, the reproducing stylus for the cylinder could be out of shape or simply not have registered properly with the groove. Am I hearing modulation > from an adjacent groove wall? ----- groove echo is usually associated with lateral recording, in which the modulation is very much larger than in well-known acoustical vertical recordings, such as Edison or Pathé. If the land between neighbouring turns is too weak, it will be pushed in by a heavy modulation on the following turn I've tried four different styli (2.0E, 2.5E, > 3.0E, 2.75TC)with the same "echo" results. (Stanton 500 cartridge with only > a few hours of play time (~25)) ----- alas, I do not know 'E' or 'TC'. A quick fix for Edison is usually an LP stylus, and for Pathé a truncated elliptical diamond (where a sapphire sphere was the order of the day) > > Also, I'm hearing distortion in the louder passages of the recording, as if > the stylus is being overdriven. I've adjusted the levels, and it doesn't > appear that I'm clipping, but I'm still hearing the distortion. ----- this distortion could just be wear, or else the "zero level" depth of cut was not well chosen, so that the tops are cut off (floating in the air) > > Suggestions? Thanks for any help or ideas you can provide. ----- this was less help than mentioning possibilities. Let us hear if you get closer to the proper answer! Kind regards, George