Test record database?

[jviss]

Does anyone know if there's a list somewhere of what test records exist, or have existed and what's on them?

I'd like to get a test record with some tracks of tones in mono, for zenith and azimuth adjustment.

I started wondering about test records. The only one I have is the Realistic Stereo Test Record, Catalog No. 50-1001. It's pretty good, but no mono tones.

I'm guessing that somewhere on the web someone has listed them all, or even collects them.

What's available new? What do you guys have?

Thanks,

jv

 

[walkandtalk]

I've got a small collection, I'll pull them out and post a few later...

I like them mostly for the cover art! It all started because my favorite band used test records for their original album designs:

 

[illini]

I have the Hi-Fi News test record HFN-002

 

[BinaryMike]

The old 1953 Radio Designer's Handbook (Langford-Smith) has an extensive list of test records available at the time. Perhaps this book is available for download somewhere?

 

[number13]

Benn collecting them for years, I have 24 different ones, and these are actual test records, not "demonstration" records.One is exclusively for setting up a Shure V15 type V. I also have one for mono!

 

[gadget73]

I have two, I know one was given to me, don't recall where the other came from.

Urania UPS-1 - mono, has equalization tests, speaker frequency tests, silent tracks for rumble level checking, tonearm resonance checks and assorted classical tracks

Command CSC100 - balance test, left/right channel checks, "volume reference check" (???) frequency run check, output balance check, wow/flutter check, phase check, acoustical check (??) and silent tracks for a rumble check plus assorted music on the other side.

 

[Lost Monkey]

I have a Shure Era IV test record.

 

[ETI_5000]

There were many test records around – most cartridge makers (eg Denon, Ortofon and Shure are 3 I know of) had them, and there were also many others around – they usually had tracking tests and things like that, so you could test your cartridge to make sure it was set up properly. Shure put out one free with the V15 for all versions from the Type II to the Type V, known as the Tracking Test Records (also known as the Audio Obstacle Course), numbers TTR 101 to 117, in both 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, so there are lots of them around for sale on Ebay and places like that. There is more info from Shure on their many test records here http://shure.custhelp.com/app/answers/list/search/1/kw/testing .

Many of the record manufacturers also put them out, and there were also other more specialised ones put out by test instrument makers, such as Brüel & Kjær, for testing turntables and cartridges.

The Radio Designer’s Handbook, which was an Australian book put out by AWA (Amalgamated Wireless Australia – Fritz Langford-Smith was an employee there) from the 19830’s to 1970’s, and licensed to RCA in the USA, is available for download here http://www.archive.org/details/RadioDesignersHandbook . It has lots of stuff about records in it, as AWA made plenty of audio equipment – they were the largest Australian radio manufacturer.

 

[walkandtalk]

Having photobucket difficulties...

Here's some thumbs:

 

[walkandtalk]

Some more: Shure Audio Obstacle Course

 

[walkandtalk]

And some more:

 

[yosemitemtb]

I have this one.