Wanted: N.A.B. Test Tone Record

[opcode66]

National Association of Broadcaster's test tone record wanted. Need one with a lateral cut test tone. Buying a VMS70 system and need this for callibration.

[TotalSonic]

The original NAB calibration records are extremely difficult to find but the "Ultimate Analogue Test LP" that was cut at Sterling Sound on a VMS-80 is excellent and readily available for reasonable cash:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Ultimate-Analogue-Test-LP

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[opcode66]

Awesome! Thanks a bunch!

[flozki]

hmm.
but all of those records are not accurate enough!
i started to make a list of all the records with measuring the level by light beam measurement. so i can tell you the level within 0.1dB.
what i have seen so far is that most records are of +/- 0.5-1 dB ! or even more.
i hope to publish the list and the correcture factors on my website soon.
the reason for all the measurements was that
we had to cut recently an internal test record for a big cartridge producer.
they need a test record that is accurate!
the 1 kHz tone was adjusted by light beam measurments within 0.1-0.2 db.


at this occasion i did a 7inch record with just the 1 kHz tone on it.
stampers are finished. and the record will be available over vinylike.com

i didn't recieved the testpressings yet. and i will measure also the pressed record. i am wondering how much the levels changed during stamper production, pressing.
i will note the exacty light band with on the labels.

will let you know.

[ak23]

Hello Flo,

i use the NAB Test record record but i also don´t think it is very accurate.
I like to get some copies of that 7"s when it´s pressed.

greetings

Andreas

Schnittstelle
Mastering & Vinylschnitt

[mossboss]

If one follows the procedures set out on the Neumann manuals with a good scope as well as an audio sine wave generator the need for test records for the VMS is not necessary
The alternative of course is to use the built in stuff
It is all there with all the facilities in so far as adjustment tone generators etc if one needs to do a quick job of it assuming his ears are still in good shape
In so far as a cartridge manufacturer is concerned a test record is an essential piece of test procedure indeed
And Flo You are doing some really good work
I wish you every success
Cheers

[opcode66]

@Flo - I would be interested in purchasing one of your 7" tone records when finished. I was looking for a N.A.B. test tone record because that is what Al Grundy had suggested.

@mossboss - If I follow you correctly I can use a sine wave generator like the small boxes I used in physics labs in college. That in comination with a good oscilliscope can do a better job than a test tone record. I would set the sine wave generator to a known value and then measure frequency and amplitude on the oscilliscope. Is that correct? What frequency do you usually use?

[mossboss]

Will have a look at the manual in the next few days and let you know Better still I may scan it and post it up here
Sorry mate the memory box is a bit lean at the moment
Cheers

[opcode66]

As always, thank you for all of your responses. I love this forum and all of it's participants!

[blacknwhite]

at this occasion i did a 7inch record with just the 1 kHz tone on it.
stampers are finished. and the record will be available over vinylike.com

Need one too, thx

[flozki]

you need at least an accurate test record.
or the better and more accurate solution is the lightband measurment....
there was a buchman-meyer light as an option from neumann. but not that easy to use.
polygram built their own light band measurement tool for their internal use.
we use one of those...

hope to have up the list soon.

but in short
on the mentioned "ultimate analog test record" , jvo from vinylium and i measured:

Label: Analog Production
Stamper Number: SSI-3.14.06-A
Cutting Room:

Mono left: 40.8 mm
Mono Right: 37.8 mm
Left channel only: 39.2 mm
Right Channel only 37.0 mm

NAB 5cm/s is exactly 40.51 mm lbw.
so the error on the right channel mono cut is -0.66 dB.
as long as you know this error it is not a problem...
left right solo is even worse.
they should have measured it and written it on the cover....

not easy to cut an accurate reference record....

i dont know any available right now within (0.1-0.2 dB)

[Bonati]

Thanks Flo - that's very interesting data. I just bought this "Ultimate" record out of curiosity. I have the NAB record. Awaiting your new test record!

Did you do any similar tests on the Stan Ricker / Cardas test record?

[mossboss]

Well I do not know about anything about that Cardas test record although I am in possesion of quite a number of them
However it is interesting that Mr Ricker has posted, published some data on a cut that he is saying that the SX74 would could reach freequencies at around the 120 K yes that is correct
There is a whole article/post on this alluding or confirming on the fact that the cutting head picked up some mag tape bias from a master at around that frequency which was "cut" on the lacquer
I have never seen it but Kevin Gray has confirmed that he has seen it in his cutting career I am left wondering as to what Neumann engineers would have thought of that statement
Cheers

[Steve E.]

Flo, I am interested in your test record. Did you ever press them up?

EDIT: Looks like it!

http://vinylike.de/store/products/

[Steve E.]

I got one. But I have a lead on an extra one. PM me for details.

[Serif]

...
there was a buchman-meyer light as an option from neumann. but not that easy to use.
polygram built their own light band measurement tool for their internal use.
we use one of those...

Very interesting, Flozki. Is the Polygram tool using interferometry?

Did you get a chance yet to measure the light bands of the CBS STR-100 test record? What about the RCA Victor New Orthophonic?





- Yves Ningkuts

[Steve E.]

There's a CBS RIAA test record on ebay right now....I saw it yesterday. Perhaps a bit pricey. and as far as I know that other NAB record is still out there, too.

Len Horowitz told me that when looking for the NAB test record, it is important to get the 1960's BLUE version. There's a purple-covered Direct Metal Mastered version from the 1980s that has some wrong levels.

[opcode66]

CBS RIAA record auction is over. If you have a leed on a NAB copy I would be interested. Please PM me details.

[13yo]

I've tried to buy the Vinylike test disc several times with Paypal and it always says I have missed some info, it won't let me complete the transaction. Anyone else having this trouble?

_m

[opcode66]

I had the same issue. I think it works for users in Europe without issue. But, here in the U.S. Paypal has to do a currency trade.

I simply emailed them the order specifics and got a total in a reply email. I then sent a payapl payment directly to them. That is what I suggest you do until they work out the issue with the online store.