Mis-representation of vintage recording techniques - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Valleyjinker · 20th Jan 2009, 9:09 pm

This has been driving me mad for years but tonight takes the biscuit.

The Navy Lark on BBC Radio 7.

I do know this broadcast might be a recovered recording off the wireless and onto a 1960s domestic recorder.

Tonight's broadcast at 7 pm was introduced by Continuity with the comment that it's "a bit scratchy but it was a long time ago". There followed the usual azimuth varied intro to the prog with simultanneous added light surface noise. Used to that.

Then the prog got going. The was a sort of rapid 'print through' style feint pre-echo effect you would ecpect from an ancient 15 ips tape recording, but with a simultaneous gross dodgy-azimuth effect AND the same lightly added surface crackle noise.

Next, the cast's performance was treated to a genuine attempt to reduce noise using a digital signal processing algorithm - I could hear the very feint monkey-chatter effect - but with added surface noise which the dsp could have easily removed.

Finally the the cast's efforts were treated with a very generous helping of cyclic disc noise.

In all seriousness, Continuity's comment may have been spontaneous, she just had no idea of what had been done to the performance.

I'm sure we all know it happens all day every day, but here's a perfectly apolitical example.

Honesty.

I don't mean to start a big argument, maybe no-one cares at all. But I DO, and I feel better now!

Here's a tip: If you get wound up by wide-bandwith crackles superimposed onto narrow-bandwidth vintage recordings, just change from Radio 4 FM to long wave. Works beautifully.

Nickthedentist · 20th Jan 2009, 9:14 pm

Yes, I find it intensely irritating too.

How many times do you see someone on the telly putting a record on a huge, quality radiogram, then hear music that sounds like it's coming out of a portable wind-up gramophone

The opposite sometimes happens too. I saw an odd Scandinavian film at the weekend in which one chap was a music enthusiast (even wearing gloves to change his 78s). But there was no audiable background noise, and each side seemed to last an unbelievably long time.

N.

Station X · 21st Jan 2009, 1:11 pm

This sort of discussion is Off Topic for the forums. It would be better to discuss it here:-

Digital Spy

Closed.

20th Jan 2009, 9:09 pm	#1
Valleyjinker Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nottingham Posts: 35	Mis-representation of vintage recording techniques This has been driving me mad for years but tonight takes the biscuit. The Navy Lark on BBC Radio 7. I do know this broadcast might be a recovered recording off the wireless and onto a 1960s domestic recorder. Tonight's broadcast at 7 pm was introduced by Continuity with the comment that it's "a bit scratchy but it was a long time ago". There followed the usual azimuth varied intro to the prog with simultanneous added light surface noise. Used to that. Then the prog got going. The was a sort of rapid 'print through' style feint pre-echo effect you would ecpect from an ancient 15 ips tape recording, but with a simultaneous gross dodgy-azimuth effect AND the same lightly added surface crackle noise. Next, the cast's performance was treated to a genuine attempt to reduce noise using a digital signal processing algorithm - I could hear the very feint monkey-chatter effect - but with added surface noise which the dsp could have easily removed. Finally the the cast's efforts were treated with a very generous helping of cyclic disc noise. In all seriousness, Continuity's comment may have been spontaneous, she just had no idea of what had been done to the performance. I'm sure we all know it happens all day every day, but here's a perfectly apolitical example. Honesty. I don't mean to start a big argument, maybe no-one cares at all. But I DO, and I feel better now! Here's a tip: If you get wound up by wide-bandwith crackles superimposed onto narrow-bandwidth vintage recordings, just change from Radio 4 FM to long wave. Works beautifully.

20th Jan 2009, 9:14 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,843	Re: Mis-representation of vintage recording techniques Yes, I find it intensely irritating too. How many times do you see someone on the telly putting a record on a huge, quality radiogram, then hear music that sounds like it's coming out of a portable wind-up gramophone The opposite sometimes happens too. I saw an odd Scandinavian film at the weekend in which one chap was a music enthusiast (even wearing gloves to change his 78s). But there was no audiable background noise, and each side seemed to last an unbelievably long time. N.

21st Jan 2009, 1:11 pm	#3
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,287	Re: Mis-representation of vintage recording techniques This sort of discussion is Off Topic for the forums. It would be better to discuss it here:- Digital Spy Closed. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.