How 78 Records Were Made (1942)

[V.C. Brunswick]

This short from 1942 takes you on a tour of the RCA Victor plant in Camden, NJ, revealing in detail the processes used to make 78 records.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xwe-Mt99Dw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxhiUgK5gzs&feature=related

 

[James71]

that was really interesting. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Very cool, and very complex process. Will become a lost art though I fear.

 

[James71]

I hope not. I love that I can still buy re-pressed albums.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

The process of making vinyl records hasn't appreciably changed that much. Though the creation of the masters and stampers doesn't appear to be quite as involved as it was back in 1942.

[video=youtube;H342sImBY1s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H342sImBY1s&feature=related[/video]

 

[Miss Moonlight]

Cool... thanks!

 

[Shangas]

According to a book I read, a job from the record-producing industry of old was that of a "mother repairer". The job-description was that you had to clean the mothers so that they could press clean records.

 

[scotrace]

Great video - so many steps!

 

[Cousin Hepcat]

According to a book I read, a job from the record-producing industry of old was that of a "mother repairer". The job-description was that you had to clean the mothers so that they could press clean records.

That is still a step in modern vinyl record production.

It serves 2 purposes: Declicking, and removal of ridges/horns on either side of the groove (buffing with emory cloth). The former prevents clicks, as the name implies; the latter prevents abnormal adhesion of the new vinyl pressings to the sheet-metal stampers, which could result in the new vinyl disc ripping the stampers out of the press when the press tries to open...

In the 78 days, they soldered the thin metal stampers to thicker copper sheet backing, as shown in the '40s Victor video... Here's an old 10-inch copper-backed 78 stamper I once found in a box of new-old-stock records; HEAVY:

 

[Amy Jeanne]

Really neat. I liked seeing the building and the surrounding area, too, since I live right near there!

 

[Giftmacher]

This is how are good ol' shellac records destroyed. Anyone else want to kill this man?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JgTvixxOts&feature=related