Hi-Fi News & Record Review - Test Record
LP released in 1996
I'm not going to lay out some sob story about how or why there has not been an update in almost two months. I'm not going to make an apology that I have not posted in a while. I know I have let my 60-something devoted fans down. I feel terrible that I have not provided anything that could be life-changing or just downright amusing, but there was not much I could do about it.
I'll be brief in explaining what's been going on behind the scenes. I went from a part-time job to a full-time job around the end of September. That was also the time I was getting ready for the next post here. So, I now have a full-time job in my field with somewhat decent pay and benefits plus I now contribute to society even more in the form of more withholding taxes. Also I happen to still be enrolled in the Master's of Library and Information Science (LIS) program in grad school. In case you're wondering, I should be finished next year in December. I need something to fall back on just in case the self-help/life improvement gig doesn't work out. Librarianship doesn't pay enough to buy a mansion in Hawaii and a jet helicopter, but there are a lot worse jobs out there. I've tried to adjust to the new job schedule and school. Now I think I've done just that, I'll be able to help you work on you through my postings on a regular basis.
I thought I would make my somewhat grand return with another LP designed to test your records and your turntable from an operation called Hi-Fi News & Record Review (now just called Hi-Fi News). I needed to test my turntable anyway, so I thought I would record this LP while I'm at it. This LP is all about the tones, signals, and the pink noise. What I like about this LP is that there is no middle-of-the-road music tacked on or any music for that matter.
Here is what a chap named Len Gregory, "The Cartridge Man" has to say about this record:
All the test tracks on this disc have been carefully chosen to help you set up your cartridge and arm combination to work optimally. It is assumed that you have already followed the manufacturer's recommendation as regards setting-up their particular unit, and that the platter is perfectly level. When you have a cartridge for which the manufacturer gives a range of tracking weights (for example, between 1.5 and 2.5 grams), it is recommended that you begin the tests at the manufacturer's suggested maximum weight. You can then decide whether you want to reduce the tracking weight or not, according to the cartridge's capability during the first run.
The back cover also provides record handling tips which are obvious but still helpful:
- Always handle records with great care.
- Avoid touching the playing surfaces.
- Keep your records clean - if they need cleaning, then find a dealer with a record-cleaning machine (or buy one).
- Make sure your turntable mat is kept clean.
- Keep your stylus clean too - remember, dust and dirt shorten both the life of your records and your stylus.
- The opening of the inner record sleeve should always lie inside the outer sleeve if you are to avoid dust contamination.
- Store records upright at an even temperature.
- Make sure that you keep your records away from heat sources.
One more thing: if you happen to live in the United States of America, be sure to exercise your right to vote tomorrow.
Tracklisting: (link coming back soon)
Side 1
1. Channel Identification {0:28}
2. Phasing {0:26}
3. Channel Balance {1:04}
4. Pink Noise -20dB, L Channel {0:27}
5. Pink Noise -20dB, R Channel {0:29}
6. Bias Setting (300 Hz Tone L+R at +12dB) {0:19}
7. Bias Setting (300 Hz Tone L+R at +14dB) {0:17}
8. Bias Setting (300 Hz Tone L+R at +16dB) {0:18}
9. Bias Setting (300 Hz Tone L+R at +18dB) {0:18}
Side 2
1. Tracking Ability 1 (300Hz L+R at +15dB) {0:21}
2. Cartridge/Arm Lateral Resonance Test {1:22}
3. Cartridge/Arm Vertical Resonance Test {0:44}
4. Tracking Ability 2 (300Hz L+R at +15dB) {0:14}
5. Cartridge Alignment (Azimuth) Test: 300Hz Vertical {0:21}
6. Residual System Noise (Unmodulated Grooves) {0:20}
7. Tracking Ability 3 (300Hz L+R at +15dB) {0:21}
Directional Sound - The Sound of Sounds
released on LP
This is a stereo test/ sound effects record that I found at the same "community garage sale" and bought from the same people as The Darts LP in the previous post. Most of these sound effects records that I encountered in my years of digging usually have a random assortment of sounds arranged in their tracklistings and each track usually lasts a minute. The tracks on this LP each last about a minute too, but some of the sounds are organized into groups of tracks especially on side one. For example, the first four tracks are recordings of sounds of jets and planes. Side one has car noises grouped into four sequential tracks. One of them even has a sound of a crash. No, the crash was not arranged as the liner notes say and the driver was not seriously injured.
Side two mostly has recordings of nature such as waves, a thunderstorm, horses, livestock, birds, along with hogs being slaughtered. This is the first sound effects record I've encountered that has hogs being slaughtered. Shhhh, don't tell PETA about this post.
The back cover says: The recording contained in this jacket is the direct result of the skills and efforts of DIRECTIONAL SOUND's team of engineers, who spent hundreds of hours recording what we believe to be a unique Sound Effects album. Reproduced with the utmost fidelity and precision are the maximum extremes of sound ever recorded ... from the quiet babbling of a country brook to the dynamic take-off of a 707 Jet; from the chirpings of crickets to the unbelievable power of a full-fledged thunderstorm. Here is an array of sounds to excite any listener and to test to the maximum your playback equipment.
Tracklisting: (link will be back soon)
Side One
1. Jet Engines in Test Cell, with Afterburner {0:47}
2. Sonic Boom & F-104 Supersonic Jets {1:10}
3. F-86's Taking Off & Flying Overhead {1:49}
4. Boeing 707's Takeoff {1:04}
5. Trains, Steam & Diesel in Yard {0:59}
6. Steam, Electric, Diesel Passing Country Crossing {1:28}
7. Harbor Scene S. S. Matsonia Leaving {1:34}
8. Speed Boats in Race, Passing Under Bridge {1:46}
9. Sports Cars in Pit Area (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) {1:05}
10. Sports Cars on Straightaway {1:29}
11. Sports Cars on Approach to Curve {1:02}
12. Sports Cars on Curve, with Crash {1:20}
Side Two
1. Pigeons in Hayloft {1:19}
2. Passing of a Thunderstorm, with Cicadas {1:58}
3. Incoming Tide at Malibu, with Seagulls {1:39}
4. Horses, Horses {1:10}
5. Jungle Scene {1:07}
6. Hogs Slaughtered {0:53}
7. Wild Geese & Birds {0:39}
8. Babbling Brook {0:51}
9. Frogs {0:39}
10. Livestock {0:58}
11. Day Crickets {1:00}
12. Children Playing {0:53}
13. Fireworks at Pallisades Park {1:01}
14. Magic Mechanical Orchestra {1:05}
Vanguard Stereolab Test Record
Since this is a blog mostly about audio materials and the distribution of said audio materials and also recently being inspired by the new and worthy blog Stereofound, a post here in the Basement to test your playback system is overdue. This LP includes test tones, signals, and bits of classical music such as the staple "Sabre Dance" that seems to show up on every stereo or audio playback system test record. There may be more of these playback stereo test records posted in the future as I find these types of records interesting. I also want to help ensure that your playback systems work, of course.
Tracklisting:
Note: Both sides of the LP are the same.
1. Introduction {0:21}
2. Left Channel: 15 KC to 30 Cycles (-12 DB Level) {3:11}
3. Right Channel: 15 KC to 30 Cycles (-12 DB Level) {3:14}
4. 1,000 Cycles: Left, right (0 Level) {0:57}
5. 1,000 Cycles: Lateral, Vertical (0 Level) {0:54}
6. Speaker Balancing Signal {0:59}
7. 150 Cycles In Phase, Out of Phase, In Phase {1:01}
8. 3 KC Flutter Test {1:03}
9. 400 Cycles, +8DB, +6DB, +4DB, +2DB, 0 Level {2:02}
10. Chaconne for Organ [excerpt] and Sabre Dance from Gayne Ballet {4:43}
