SERVICES
Disc Transfer
Transfer of all types of discs, up to ~17″ diameter:
– Many custom styli sizes and shapes for transfer of coarse-groove 78 rpm recordings; Several styli fitted with bespoke sapphire cantilevers for increased speed of sound, resolution and flatter high-frequency response
– Line-contact, elliptical and conical styli for the transfer of monaural and stereo finegroove recordings (LP, 45 rpm, 16 rpm) including 0.7 and 1.0 mil Paratrace profile diamonds
– State of the art and workhorse phono cartridges by Shure, Stanton, Pickering, and more
– New generation Technics Direct-Drive turntable modified to correct off-center discs
– SME M2–12R and Infinity Black Widow tonearms, rebuilt by Alfred Kayser – both arms are fluid damped, Korf headshell used to dampen ringing on the SME
– Custom built phono preamp: Transformerless high speed solid-state design by John Chester of Plangent Processes for world–class transparency. Designed with tonearm cable capacitance in mind and adjustable R & C settings for perfectly spec’d cartridge loading
– True-to-source Mytek Brooklyn analog-to-digital converter, sampling rate up to 384 kc/s PCM
Cassette Transfer
1-7/8″ per second
– Cassettes of all types accepted: Starlight Sound’s transfers keep azimuth drift to as little samples as possible, using the rugged industry workhorse Tascam 122 MKIII. Always winding and rewinding to reduce print-through and improve tape pack. Case replacement and NOS parts available. Mytek Brooklyn converter used. Not afraid to use the 1/8″ Editall splicing block when needed!
Audio Restoration
Getting great results from raw transfers:
– Sound restoration services including declicking, dehum, spectral editing, tonal correction, azimuth correction, manual interpolation, rumble abatement, and (responsible) noise mitigation.
– Software includes CEDAR Cambridge, iZotope RX Advanced, CEDAR Studio, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, DeMIX Pro, Adobe Audition and the late Brian Davies’ ClickRepair.
Record Cleaning
If a disc isn’t properly cleaned before transfer, you’re not hearing all of it:
– Starlight Sound is fortunate to have an extremely effective device for the cleaning of modern grooved media. The machine is the only true effective ultrasonic, made by Kirmuss Audio. If you have vinyl LPs, vinyl 45s, recent 78s, or metal parts you’re looking to get as clean as possible, this machine is the best in the world.
– Other types of discs are made of differing materials and can be destroyed by either the ultrasonic method (Styrene) or submersion in water for any great length of time (Shellac). For these recordings, I use either a vacuum machine or a manual cleaning process. Either way, in most cases I like to use a diluted mix of Disc Doctor, followed by a quick rinse of just distilled water. Even late ‘vinyl-like’ shellac formulations – such as Decca’s early 50s “unbreakable” variant – has suffered plasticizer damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Be careful!
Consulting
Knowledge is power
– I have years of experience. My knowledge can help build your transfer facility, recording studio, podcasting space or live music venue! I can to help you to best achieve what you’re looking for.
Studio or Location Recording
Need a recording done? Look no further.
– Recordist trained in Pro Tools, A.A.S. degree. Critical understanding of mic choice and placement as well as historical recording methods
– Use and knowledge of condenser, ribbon, dynamic microphone types
– DC power supply for use of century-old carbon microphones
– Use of preamps made by True Systems, Grace Design, Neve, SSL, Crane Song and portable recording equipment such as the Sound Devices MixPre series, Zoom F series
– UAD box with plugins
– Wraps cables correctly
– Requires lead time for preparation. Please inquire first!
Live Sound
I can improve the sound of your venue
– Experience mic’ing and mixing bands in restaurants, use of DI boxes and indestructible Shure microphones, feedback reduction in questionable acoustic spaces
– Can consult on room treatment options