2. analog
  3. 173874-10803

Are cutting lathes VTA constant across the board?

Or do different mastering engineers have preferences on the angle of the cutting head? If they have differences, isn’t fine tuning VTA on you turn table just going to run you in circles with each different lol you play?

aberyclark
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,153 posts
 

what Dover said….. even the lead out groove…..

ebm
9,311 posts
 

I thread is usually enough.

melm
1,085 posts
 

David Shreve, Guru on this topic, published these adjustments a long time ago using Rabco arm of 7 5/8"
 +/- height
Nautilus            +0.0058"
RCA, Vanguard        +0.0047"
Columbia pop        +0.0043" 
M&K RealTime        +0.0019"
A&M, Arista, Flying Fish, Performance Recordings, Warner Bros. 0.0000 
Telarc              -0.0012" 
English Decca, DGG  -0.0028"
Nonesuch            -0.0036"
Musical Heritage Society (some) -0.0085"
Columbia classical -0.0118"

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,563 posts
 

I'm sure it's important but once the cart is set, I just play the disc. 

dover
2,286 posts
 

I adjust VTA for

1 - normal records - using favourites

2- 180g records - using favourites

Then jut run the 2 settings.

All my arms have VTA on the fly - but I run the 2 settings - otherwise you would go insane.

Unfortunately, historically cutting angles are all over the place - USA/Europe - then individual pressing companies vary a lot.

Furthermore, as regards RIAA standards - thats another story. Varies from recording studio to studio - some engineers compensating for the turnover frequency issues, some not, all dependent on what cutting amplifiers and heads were used.

More to discover