The importance of archiving
Ensuring that the creative history of mankind is preserved for future generations is vital, for our artistic creativity defines our species and so differentiates us from all others. The preservation of our cultural heritage is therefore a matter of great importance, not something to be taken lightly. Furthermore, making available our cultural history in a modern and freely accessible manner represents the democratization of human creativity. It is something to be celebrated, and the obligation upon us to do it well cannot be underestimated.
Future generations must have access to their cultural history in order to be able to further contribute to it. Those of us charged with this work are morally bound to perform our task to the highest possible standard. It is not enough merely to make available an ‘approximation’ of an original recording, document or image. It is incumbent upon us to also transmit the ‘soul’ of the piece – to convey the essence of the artist’s intent – not merely to make a cheap, banal reconstruction driven by short term financial prudence.
The vast majority of audio recordings, made from the inception of recording technology in the late 1800’s up to the mid 1950’s, are to be found on analogue discs. The revolving gramophone record is thus the primary vehicle of our attention. It is not enough to simply extract, more or less, the signal contained within a disc. It is important to extract the maximum information possible – including the ‘soul’ of the work – and to do our very best to preserve its original nature.
We specialise in the design and construction of precision analogue disc transcription systems intended specifically for use in sound archives, broadcast studios and other transcription houses. We build machines to the highest possible levels of fidelity, reliability, integrity and consistency – seeking always to do maximum justice to the art presented to us – because we consider our responsibility to our creative inheritance more important than anything else.
Our Series 10 precision analogue disc transcription system has been specifically designed to meet the needs of archivists in search of a reliable, honest, simple yet technologically advanced record player of high quality and unmatched integrity. We are able to offer platters up to 20” in diameter, tonearms of 9” and 12” lengths, turntables able to support two tonearms simultaneously, interchangeable arm beams to facilitate the interchangeable use of several cartridge types and their styli, motor systems from a basic unit to one of the most sophisticated motion control systems ever devised for a record playing system. In short, if you need it we can probably make it.
Contact us with your requirements for and honest, personal and straightforward response. We’re here to help.