Yes, Imhififan has provided us with an outstanding reference on the subject. (Just as he had done, btw, in an unrelated thread not too long ago in which I and Roger had also been participating, which helped bring all parties to agreement). Thanks!
For one thing, the article appears to support statements Roger has made indicating that between approximately 50 Hz and 500 Hz, and above approximately 2122 Hz, records are cut at constant amplitude. ("Approximately" because as I think we all agree the transitions between constant velocity and constant amplitude are gradual, and those frequencies represent "3 db points" as Roger and the article have stated).
What the article leaves me uncertain about, however, given that in modern times a cutting head is to at least a loose approximation a velocity-based transducer (meaning that it converts signal amplitude to groove velocity), is **how** the cutter is caused to cut at constant amplitude at those frequencies.
If I recall correctly Roger had stated toward the end of the deleted thread that that is accomplished by means of an EQ applied to the signal prior to its application to the cutter, the EQ extending over a 60 db range (in addition to the "pre-emphasis"), between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. That would seem to be appropriate if behavior of the cutter corresponds to an idealized model of a velocity-based transducer. However, Ralph responded that cutter characteristics deviate considerably from the theoretical ideal, and with his cutter the required EQ is only about 15 db, and also is not linear over the frequency range. And I had pointed out, among other things, that neither EQ appears to be consistent with application of the approximately 40 db curve that I think we all agree is applied in playback.
Finally, and related to that, although the reference provided by Imhififan refers to the need to reduce groove excursion at low frequencies when a velocity-based cutter is used (specifically between approximately 50 Hz and 500 Hz), how that is accomplished is not made clear as far as I could tell.
So while the article is certainly helpful, and appears to me to be likely to bring us closer to settling these matters, there are still some basic questions that need to be answered before agreement can be reached.
Best regards,
-- Al
For one thing, the article appears to support statements Roger has made indicating that between approximately 50 Hz and 500 Hz, and above approximately 2122 Hz, records are cut at constant amplitude. ("Approximately" because as I think we all agree the transitions between constant velocity and constant amplitude are gradual, and those frequencies represent "3 db points" as Roger and the article have stated).
What the article leaves me uncertain about, however, given that in modern times a cutting head is to at least a loose approximation a velocity-based transducer (meaning that it converts signal amplitude to groove velocity), is **how** the cutter is caused to cut at constant amplitude at those frequencies.
If I recall correctly Roger had stated toward the end of the deleted thread that that is accomplished by means of an EQ applied to the signal prior to its application to the cutter, the EQ extending over a 60 db range (in addition to the "pre-emphasis"), between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. That would seem to be appropriate if behavior of the cutter corresponds to an idealized model of a velocity-based transducer. However, Ralph responded that cutter characteristics deviate considerably from the theoretical ideal, and with his cutter the required EQ is only about 15 db, and also is not linear over the frequency range. And I had pointed out, among other things, that neither EQ appears to be consistent with application of the approximately 40 db curve that I think we all agree is applied in playback.
Finally, and related to that, although the reference provided by Imhififan refers to the need to reduce groove excursion at low frequencies when a velocity-based cutter is used (specifically between approximately 50 Hz and 500 Hz), how that is accomplished is not made clear as far as I could tell.
So while the article is certainly helpful, and appears to me to be likely to bring us closer to settling these matters, there are still some basic questions that need to be answered before agreement can be reached.
Best regards,
-- Al