• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Songs With Excessive Sibilance Not Related To Improper Setup

Isaac C.

Isaac C.

Cat Hoarder
Hello everyone, I'm just curious of songs that you have encountered (on vinyl) that have excessive sibilance not related to improper setup (alignment, azimuth, vta, etc)? Having just put on Starlight Dancer by Kayak for the first time in awhile, I encountered severe sibilance with S's on both copies I own, especially the first song "I want you to be mine". Thinking it was related to my TT, I doubled checked everything briefly and it appeared fine. So I pulled up a youtube video of the song and it was sibilant as well. Now I'm listening to Leftoverture by Kansas with no sibilance. That said have you encountered similar songs with strong sibilance?
 
Register to hide this ad
knotscott said:
Many times.....I usually encounter them for about 30 seconds, then take it off. I have zero tolerance for it.
Click to expand...
My example might be more with the mastering too. The vocals are mostly to the right. While the cymbals are mostly to the left, though they are well heard to the right behind the vocals. So basically there is a lot going on in the high end of that track in the right channel.
 
I think there are two kinds of sibilance - that which is in the pressing (I suppose brief passages that are difficult to track) and that which is in the original recording (I assume caused by the microphone).

In terms of tracking sibilant pressings, I think set-up is important but a lot of it is down to the quality of the stylus - both profile and cantilever, I suspect. AT's MicroLine stylus seems able to ride out sibilance in a way that no other stylus (that I've come across) can.
 
Just got a mint copy, factory sealed, 1985, of James Taylor’s That Is What I’m Here For. Lots of sibilant “S’s”. Also Emmylou Harris Blue Kentucky Girl, has sibilance on 2nd and 3rd tracks, side 1. It nearly goes away using the M97HE and EDR.9. But strong using 0.7 mil conical.
 
My Denon 103r was retipped with a sapphire cantilever and MR stylus and setup very meticulously with a MintLP protractor and Fozgometer. I would hear sibilance very rarely and end up blaming it on pressing or a previous owner causing damage. Since moving on I’ve listened to some of those same tracks with no sibilance and realized it must have just been limitations of the cart. Sometimes your listening setup can make your hear sibilants that are part of the recording - Dylan on Times they are achangin album always sounds harsh to me regardless of pressing but it is between my ears using headphones and not sandpaper on each side which would be mistracking - so sometimes just have to take a step back and check like that.
 
Peter Gabriel - So is somewhat known for that too. Not sure if they're all that way or if its just certain ones but I know others have mentioned it. Mine has that problem.
 
gadget73 said:
Peter Gabriel - So is somewhat known for that too. Not sure if they're all that way or if its just certain ones but I know others have mentioned it. Mine has that problem.
Click to expand...
Genesis to Revelation, their first album out of charter school is somewhat like that. Somewhat sibilant but not too much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom