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PLAYING, RECORDING, AND SHAVING CYLINDERS.
Learn from the Experts on how to play, shave and record cylinder records!
Playing Cylinders.
All 2 minute wax cylinders, new or old, play only on the correct equipment, that is the record must match the machine.
Wax cylinders are white-dark brown and black. The composition, has a wax-like appearance, although nothing in the compound
justifies the term, as the principal ingredient in all wax cylinders is sterate of soda with a metallic hardener. Two minute
WAX records were manufactured up to 1912. And so machines made up to this time play them.
The Edison reproducer, known as the sound box or head that will play them are as follows (The model of reproducer is
usually stamped on the floating weight.) : The standard speaker (Identified by external knurled diaphragm retaining ring,
adjustment wing with no writing, and a rigid, floating weight with recording and reproducing styli on a single bar.),Edison
Automatic (It looks like the standard speaker, only says Reproducer,and has a circular weight that is articulated and only
has a reproducing stylus.), and model B,model C. Edison Reproducers models K,S,M,O have 2 stile and can play both 2 and 4
minute cylinders. A 2 minute record, however will not play with a model H,N,N56,or any other 4 minute reproducer. The late
Edisons have diamond styli and are models A,B,C, if you attempt to play any wax 2 minute or 4 minute with these, the groove
will be ruined. You can identify these if you look at the stylus, if it is pointed and conical, it is a diamond and the weights
on all of these diamond stylus reproducers have a flat,steel spring between the weight and the swivel. On Columbia Machines,
you can play them with the Columbia Floating, Lyric, and Higham. Check to make sure the stylus is a ball or doorknob shape,
and not pointed. as some Post 1908 Columbias may have a pointed stylus designed for Celluloid records. (Celluloid is an early
thermoplastic made of cellulose,nitric acid, and camphor.) The pointed stylus will ruin any wax record, new or old! To play
a record make sure the gearing is set for 2 minute, slip the cylinder fat end to the right, thin end to the left, you will
note the taper inside the record, and the taper of the mandrel.Push it firmly, but not too forceful, or the record may crack.
The record should not be left on the machine when not in use. All wax cylinders expand and contract with changes
in temperature, so the record may crack if it is left on the machine (Any wax record). Next close the end gate (If the machine
has one.) wind the machine up then place the on off lever in the on position. Next place the reproducer at the left
end of the record where it appears to begin, and then let it down gently on the record, it should be playing. Always
return the cylinder to the box that it came in. North American record boxes have pegs in the box to keep cylinders from
scratches and moisture. Original cylinder boxes have a cotton batting for a lining. This lining does a great job of keeping
them from scratches, but recent studies show the batting attracts moisture, and may cause the record to become moldy
in areas of extreme humidity. Nothing can be done for a moldy cylinder.
Recording hints and tips.
To record first of all you need a recorder head. These Always have Recorder stamped on them. Replace the reproducer with
a recorder (picture shown below),and place a blank upon the mandrel, then put the horn on the machine. Practice the music
or subject you want to record, and use the same steps as for playback. Place the recorder at the left end of the cylinder.
Turn on the machine, lower lift lever then Speak into the horn, and record. Advanced Recording Tips. For talking records
a cone horn with no bell, 26" and 6" at the opening is the best recording horn for general use. Speak clearly especially sibilants
sounds which should almost be whistled slightly, to be audible in play back. Use an even distinct diction. You should
be about 2 inches from the opening when recording. If you are recording a singer with a piano, have the piano about 2 feet
behind you with the treble section pointed at the horn. Grands should have the lid raised toward the horn, and uprights 3
feet off the floor on a riser, no sustain pedal used. Sing about the same distance as the speaking record. If you have loud
or high notes, take a step back from the horn to equalize the amplitude, so you do not blast the recorder. For duets and quartets,
2 recording horns should be hooked together with a Y copper adapter,and rubber tubing of 4" long. The singers at one horn
and the other towards the band or piano. A band with singers should have the band some distance behind about three feet
behind the singer, is where the band should begin to balance the voice over music. Cornets, trumpets, and loud brass should
be at the back, woodwinds at the front. Bass drums should be omitted in brass band, and orchestra recording, they just do
not record well on cylinders. Cymbals should be used as an effect, and off to the side, not through a whole song, as they
are quite loud. If you are recording a brass band use a 36" or 56" horn, a bell is OK on these. It is a good idea on large
recording horns to wrap rope in a spiral down the length of the horn to reduce resonance. Solo instrument recording Use a
26" horn, and point the horn at the instrument in the middle place trumpets cornets, about 3 feet distant from the hon. Clarinets,
woodwind solos as close to the horn as possible. Violins should be very close to the horn, with s holes pointed at the
horn. Modern rock and country recording can be done with surprising results. You can use the small bass drum in these
kinds of recordings, they do not effect the sound too much. Place instrument amplifiers about 6 feet distant from the horn,
singers should sing as close to the recording horn as possible. Drums about 6 feet distant. You will need to have the amplifiers
much softer, as you are not using a PA system for the voice, Do not Use a PA for voice in an acoustic recording, the low mid
range of the speakers spoil the sound. If you have a real good clean PA with little distortion, you may use this for back
up voices, mid and tweeters pointed at the horn. To monitor the mix before recording listen at the small end of the horn,
have the band play to check the balance, what you hear at the small end of the horn, is what the recorder is going to hear.
It sometimes is possible to put a t in the line before the phonograph with a valve for a set of ear tubes (like a stethoscope)
for listening to the mix. Temperature is very important, about 95 degrees is ideal. To Achieve the right
temperature, I use a chicken house style lamp with a 100 watt light bulb placed 5 inches behind the back of the machine
behind the blank I put the blank on loose, and have the mandrel turning 5 minutes, wind machine up fully again, seat the blank,
and tape the end of it to the mandrel with some scotch tape, then commence recording. When you are finished recording
brush the swarf off the record you have made with a camel hair brush. These brushes are available at high end art
stores. ( Swarf, the little worms of wax that are made by recording.) Next take the blank off, shut the light off and
let it cool to room temperature again. Replace the recorder with the reproducer the hear the record you have made. In demonstrations
it is best to have 2 machines, one for recording and one for reproducing. All this information is the result of years of experimentation
and that is the best way for you to learn the art, lots of trial and error.
Shaving.
Nothing is better for shaving than a Commercial Ediphone or Dictaphone shaver. You put the record on the shaver mandrel,
just like playing a record, and close the end gate. Push the cutting head down to the wax, then lift it
up, place it on
the right end of the blank, and shave. Always shave several thin shaves to one thick one that may tear the wax. Another shaver
can be made with a drill, and a threaded rod, 2 rubber stoppers, the rubber stoppers clamp the cylinders firmly in place,find
one small to fit in the small end, and a bigger one for the big end. Place the drill in a vice, and use a piece of thick glass
pressing firmly, but not forcibly, shave until first
recording is gone. have the glass angled in the direction with rotation
of the drill (pointed down toward the bottom of the cylinder). Have the glass big enough to be as wide as the blank. try to
shave evenly wear gloves and goggles in case the glass breaks. You can use a metal ruler too instead of glass.
Sincerely
Shawn Borri
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A family stops to look learn
and listen (note the young lady listening to an 1898 Edison Home Phonograph with listening tubes just like in the 1890s phonograph
exhibitions). THIS IS THE NORTH AMERICAN PHONOGRAPH COMPANY'S LIVING HISTORY DISPLAY at the Bureau County fair Princeton IL.
We love to do them, prices vary as to location, and what is needed. I love to teach about these mechanical wonders, and the
inventions of Thomas A Edison.
This is how to make a vocal recording, be close to the horn talking across it but use a loud, even tone of voice, dramatic,
but not straining.
This painting of Thomas A Edison June 16, 1888. Edison had worked 5 days and
nights without sleep perfecting his wax cylinder PHONOGRAPH. Edison the Napoleon of invention. This was the first machine
marketed by US FROM 1888-1889.
This painting is hanging in Edison's office in West Orange NJ in the Edison National Historic
site!
This is a 1901 Edison 2 minute home recorder. It is acoustic, that means the sound vibrates
the mica diaphragm (The clear membrane.) causing the stylus(The copper piece in the middle with the sapphire on the end.)to
vibrate cutting a up and down groove in the blank wax master cylinder. Each recorder sounds different some are better for
certain instruments. Most recorders, if they are in good shape should be left alone, as they are very delicate.
nobody to day make shaving knifes or decent cutting styli, the best cutters are original Edison cupped center sapphires.
This photo of a 1909 recording session and shows the rarely seen Edison studio master
recording machine which is an Edison Class M electric phonograph.. Edison Triumphs were also used as master recorders
at Edison's recording studio. The white master cylinders are of a similar composition as the ones made today by
the North American Phonograph Company. Now you get the same kind of cylinders used for masters. I sometime
dye them different colors when I feel like it. You will note the engineer adjusting the depth of cut with
the advance ball adjustment knob. The studio recorders in this photo and the one I use are much different than
the recorders that came with home recording outfits, and with the phonographs.
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