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Journal Article

An Investigation of Motional Feedback Disk Recording System Design

Authors: Agnew, J.I.

Journal of the Audio Engineering Society · Volume 66 · Issue 11 · pp. 966–978 · November 2018

Abstract

Even though the manufacturing of disk mastering systems had ceased by the mid 1980s and the equipment used in this industry was largely manufactured between 1950 and 1985, such systems would still benefit from further research and development because of the recent resurgence of consumer interest in vinyl records. During the tests and experiments described in this article, it was observed that a power amplifier of high quality and performance may not be compatible with a motional feedback cutter head system. Cutting amplifiers need to be designed and optimized specifically for this application. The author explores the design problems of moving coil transducers using motional feedback as applied to professional disk recording and mastering systems. Significant improvement can be achieved. Wideband measurements from 10 Hz to 100 kHz should be considered to be the minimum standard and ideally the range should be DC to 1 MHz. Square waves are used as a test signal and development aid. Cutter heads have traditionally been the limiting factor in the performance of a disk recording system, as well as the most fragile and frequently damaged component. It is recommended that disk recording systems be designed to be transducer limited rather than electronics limited.

Details

Publication
Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
Volume
66
Issue
11
Pages
966–978
Publication date
November 6, 2018
Affiliation
Agnew Analog Reference Instruments, UK (See document for exact affiliation information.)
Type
Journal Article