Question New release in Mono

[danny-79]

So I’ve just brought a new LP, released this year and it’s in Mono.
Not played it yet as away from hifi. My question is how compatible is that with my regular stylus? (Orto Blue)
I know old style mono recordings require a dedicated mono stylus as the groves are different. I’m hoping that this is not the case here and it being in mono is just the way it’s mixed so should play just fine.
Anybody with any experience of this in new releases ?

(Steve Earle, Ghosts of West Virginia) btw.

 

[Al ears]

Great album and . I feel sure your cartridge will cope, perhaps not as well as a dedicated mono cartridge but think modern mono pressings are made with the knowledge that many people no longer have them fitted to their tonearms.
This may be useful:-

Do You Need a Mono Cartridge to Play Mono Records?

A complete guide to unleashing the power of mono records. Discover the true fidelity of timeless classics with a true mono cartridge.

www.yoursoundmatters.com

 

[nopiano]

If you’ve got a mono button on your amp - unlikely these days, I know - then that will help reduce the noise. The main snag of using a standard cartridge in stereo is you’ll get stereo noise but only mono signal.

It’s so long since I heard this I must dig out an old LP later to make sure!

 

[iMark]

I've inherited dozens of mono records from the late 1950s and early 1960s. The play fine on our record player, Pro-Ject 1Xpression III Comfort.
Indeed you get stereo noise and mono signal.

I also have stereo records from the 1960s that say that they can be played on mono equipment on the sleeve.

 

[danny-79]

Thank you all for advice.
A dedicated mono cartridge would be ideal but the stereo will cope. Looking forward to playing it. I’ll report back.

 

[Gray]

Thank you all for advice.
A dedicated mono cartridge would be ideal but the stereo will cope. Looking forward to playing it. I’ll report back.

I've got a windup gramophone that would suit you Danny.
Every 78 r.p.m. record in marvellous mono, played by metal needles 🙉

 

[danny-79]

I've got a windup gramophone that would suit you Danny.
Every 78 r.p.m. record in marvellous mono, played by metal needles 🙉

Lol I hope it’s got a good spring in it or would I need to wind it up every song ? 😜😜

Will be back tonight and looking forward to trying album out

 

[Gray]

Lol I hope it’s got a good spring in it or would I need to wind it up every song ? 😜😜

Will be back tonight and looking forward to trying album out

Last time I used it, it needed winding before every play!....and even then slowed before the end of a 78......Due to a tracking force measured in kilograms.


Good luck with your modern mono vinyl 👍

 

[daytona600]

99.9% of new records are cut from a digital File
standard 0.7mil stylus on a modern cartridge will be fine

Mono Records & Cartridges Styli
Modern Microgroove Records have a V profile Groove & Modern Mono Microgroove Re-issues
0.7mil is Suitable for Reissue Monaural LP and a Mono LP of after 1960.
1.0mil is Suitable for the Monaural LP of a deep groove of the first press of the 1950s.
However, both styli can trace the monaural LP of all generations without a problem.
When you listen to the monaural LP of all generations, we recommend 0.7mil.
When you listen to a monaural LP of the first press of the 1950s mainly, we recommend 1.0mil.
3.0mil usually ideal for 78rpm mono records
Why Mono ?
A mono cartridge is mechanically different from a stereo cartridge. Simply switching a stereo cartridge to mono does not work perfectly. Despite what manufactures claim mono switches invariably add the two channels by simply shorting the two channels together, even very" expensive units do this. Hiend units can sum the two channels with extra electronics to eliminates the vertical response and improve the signal to noise by 3dB. However even summing does not provide the ultimate, a cartridge designed for mono, with a single coil and no vertical movement reduces surface noise, vertical noise and fits the groove properly.

Older Mono records have a U type Groove Mono/78RPM 3.0mil is the accepted norm & Steel Needles for gramophone records
other types used by collectors are 2.0/2.5/3.0/3.5/4.0/8.0 ( MIL = 1/1000th of a inch )
2.0MIL - 2.0 X 0.4 mil Elliptical diamond - worn LPs, some transcriptions.
2.5MIL - 2.5 X 0.5 mil elliptical diamond - late unworn 78s
3.0MIL - 3.0 X 0.5 mil elliptical diamond - most 1905 to 1940's, slightly worn 78s & transcriptions, & some Edison discs.
3.5MIL 3.5 X 0.8 mil elliptical diamond - old or worn 78s, transcriptions.
4.0MIL 4.0 X 1.0 mil elliptical diamond - Edison Diamond & very old/worn discs, raw aluminium, RCA home recordings., also Pathé vertical discs
8.0MIL 8.0 mil conical sapphire - RCA home recordings, and worn Pathé vertical discs.

 

[danny-79]

Just kicking back and playing it now.
It’s definitely strange.
My set up unfortunately due to logistics right speaker is further away so I balance accordingly.

In short distortion is present with exactly the same sound in each speaker. It’s definitely a different listening experience. Had I not know it was in Mono before hand I’d be asking questions to why it sounds.... strange.
I’m not complaining but it’s very noticeable