SETTING THE CORRECT EQUALIZATION
USING THE PRESETS
Coarse Groove (78 rpm)
SYSTEM
Treble t/o
Bass t/o
Lower bass t/o Cut at 10 kHz Boost at 50 Hz
FLAT
Flat
Flat
US MID 30
Flat
400 Hz
70 Hz
16 dB
WESTREX
Flat
200 Hz
15 dB
HMW
Flat
250 Hz
50 Hz
12 dB
ffrr 1949
6.36 kHz
250 Hz
40 Hz
5 dB
12 dB
Early DECCA 5.80 kHz
150 Hz
6 dB
11 dB
COLUMBIA
1.60 kHz
300 Hz
16 dB
14 dB
BSI
3.18 kHz
353 Hz
50 Hz
10.5 dB
14 dB
Note that record companies used many different eq settings, and sometimes the same company used dif-
ferent settings depending on which recording engineer was on job.
Generally, there is a difference between American and European 78 rpm recordings: the American records
were normally much louder cut with much more bass response and a higher bass turnover frequency. The
two American record companies Columbia and Victor had different settings but both used basically the pat-
ent from Western Electric.
Since theory and practice are not always the same, always use your ears! This is especially true with re-
cords in bad condition, which as a result of wear have often lost much their high frequency response. Unfor-
tunately, many 78s are in bad condition because they have been played many times.
Ideally, use FLAT for old acoustic recordings. Sometimes you will find that you will get a better sound with a
little bass lift. Then try one of the other eq settings and use the 80 Hz bass cut filter.
Next eq is US MID 30, which is useful for a lot of American records. Normally you should use it together
with the variable low pass filter and find the right settings. Good for American Victor.
Use WESTREX (English Western Electric) for HMV 78s with a triangle matrix code and English Columbias
with a “W” Matrix code.
HMV eq is used for HMVs with a square matrix code, and English Columbia with a “C” matrix code, or in
both cases with no code (post 1945 up to about 1953).
ffrr 1949 is used by Decca and EMI.
Early Decca are Decca eq setting from 30s.
Columbia is an American Columbia setting used by Columbia since around 1930. But note: this setting is an
ideal setting and only useful for records in absolute good condition
.
BSI 78 useful for all post 1953 78s. It can also be useful for some earlier American 78s.
Page 10
