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Analogue Productions The Ultimate Analogue Test LP 180g
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Analogue Productions The Ultimate Analogue Test LP 180g

  (7 Reviews)
€70.01    
€58.34 Exc. VAT |  |

Analogue Productions Test LP 

No-Nonsense, Ultimate Test LP

Analogue Productions set out to produce the ultimate test record. They consulted many experts in the field, including mastering engineers, audio experts, turntable experts and audiophile listeners, to create a test record that's never been made before. When Barry Wolifson from Sterling Sound in New York City called them with the same idea to create the ultimate test record – they began to brainstorm and research ideas until they were both completely satisfied with what should go on the record.

Most of the test records in the past have been made to test a variety of equipment. This test record excludes silly cannon shots, typewriters, voices on one channel and other useless fluff. This one specifically addresses your turntable and cartridge. It’s designed to provide the basic test signals necessary to calibrate a turntable or cutting lathe as simply as possible. Most of the signals have specific implications, but it is certainly possible to use them in any number of novel ways.

This record was mastered and cut on a Neumann VMS 80 lathe at Sterling Sound and pressed at RTI on high-quality, 180-gram virgin vinyl. 


Side 1
General Reference Level
This 1 kHz reference tone will allow you to establish a “base level” for all measurements.
Track 1 1Khz reference tone 7cm/s Mono, in phase (Lateral)
Basic reference for all measurements, adjust meter for maximum convenience (in the studio 0VU).
Adjust preamp channel balance for equal output.
Also used to check the offset angle of the photo cartridge; L&R signals should be exactly in phase as displayed on an oscilloscope.

Azimuth Adjustment
Track 2 1kHz reference level Left channel only
Measure Right channel output.
Track 3 1kHz reference level Right channel only
Measure Left channel output.
The object is to sit the stylus exactly perpendicular in the groove.
Twist cartridge about its radial axis until the measurements from Track 2 and Track 3 are equal or very close to equal for both channels.

High Frequency Adjustment
Tracks 4, 5 and 6 are used to calibrate the RIAA high frequency equalizer of a phono preamp. This will be used to calibrate a mastering lathe’s phono preamplifier or any phono preamplifier that has these adjustments.
Track 4 1 kHz tone at -20 below reference level, Lateral
Reference for High Frequency test.
Track 5 10 kHz reference tone at -20dbu, Lateral
Adjust the high frequency until the output level equals that of Track 4.
Track 6 1 kHz to 20 kHz sweep at -20dbu, Mono (Lateral)
The AC millivoltmeter reading should stay constant across all frequencies. There are a number of factors which can affect frequency response, including cable capacitance, cartridge loading, tracking force and worn parts. Because of this, it can be difficult to achieve perfectly flat frequency response. Sometimes by making small compromises in the 10 kHz adjustment, a better overall frequency response can be achieved.

Low Frequency Adjustment
Tracks 7 & 8 are used to calibrate the RIAA low frequency equalizer of a phono preamp.
Track 7 1 kHz to 20 Hz sweep at 0 VU (Lateral)
Play Track 7 and measure the output with your AC millivolt meter.
Ideally, the output will be flat across all frequencies. When viewed on an oscilloscope, the amplitude would remain constant during the frequency downsweep.
Track 8 100 Hz reference tone at 0 vu (Lateral)
Adjust LF Eq to reference (which is your reading from Track 1).

Track 9 VTA adjust
This is an IEC intermodulation distortion (IMD) test signal; 60Hz & 4kHz 4:1 ratio.
Using an IMD tester, adjust VTA by raising or lowering the tonearm for minimum distortion.

Track 10 Standard Wow & Flutter test signal; 3150Hz
The Wow & Flutter meter will give dynamic speed variations as a percentage deviation from nominal.
Also, the frequency counter should read exactly 3150 Hz for nominal speed. You can use the Hz function on your multi-meter (if so equipped) to verify speed here as well. You can also use to find the measurements at 45RPM. The correct reading at 45RPM would be 4253 Hz (45/33.33) x 3150.

Side 2
Track 1 Anti-skating test; 315Hz amplitude sweep to +12dbu (Lateral)
Signal should remain clean in both channels up to the highest level, both audibly and as viewed on an oscilloscope. In case of distortion, increase anti-skating force or decrease anti-skate until breakup occurs equally in both channels. The left channel information is inscribed on the inner groove wall, the right channel information, on the outer groove wall. Because of the offset angle of a pivoted tonearm, a constantly varying vector force biases the arm towards the center of the record causing the stylus to lose contact with the outer (i.e. right channel) groove wall. Both linear and modulated groove velocity, tracking force, stylus profile, and vinyl composition are contributing factors. The anti skating force attempts to ameliorate this by applying an opposing similar force.
It is also accepted that the overall force vector increases as the tonearm approaches closer to the spindle or end of the record.

Track 2 Pink noise lateral
Track 3 Pink noise vertical
Used for cartridge “demagnetizing”
You can also use this track to loosen up the cantilever’s suspension to help break in a new cartridge. Play these tracks five to ten times after every 300 hours of normal LP playback.

Track 4 1kHz @ reference level, vertical
This out-of-phase signal should cancel to nothing when summed to mono.
Any signals still present are distortion artifacts, lack of channel balance, or timing (phase) anomalies. This test can be a second confirmation of anti-skate adjustment.

Track 5 1kHz to 10Hz sweep @ -20 below reference level, vertical
Resonance anomalies in the tonearm / cartridge interface will show up as amplitude peaks and dips as the frequency sweeps down.
Once again, by listening in ‘Mono’ it is easier to hear the distortion artifacts.

Track 6 Silent groove for bearing rumble and table isolation
During playback of this track, nothing should be transmitted from the turntable to the speakers. Replay the track and gently tap on the rack or base that the turntable is resting on. There should be little or no thump transferred to the speakers. This track will help you experiment with turntable isolation methods and products to be able to get the most out of your playback system. You may want to use a closed or sealed headphone for best listening results, or a stethoscope on the plinth.

Average Rating (7 Reviews):  
Write a Review and share your opinions!

Rating:  
Noisy
17 March 2024  | 

It did the trick, but quite a high level of surface noise that I wouldn't expect from a disc this price.

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Rating:  
Perfect setup
03 September 2020  | 

I was able to fine tune my turntable. Very helpful. A must!

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Rating:  
technical record
20 March 2019  | 

it's very quality record my for setting up your record player to match yout hifi system. It's very technical record, that mean you will not hear any instructions and voices, just plain signals at the specific frequency. So purchase it if you are only know what you are doing.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful.


Rating:  
Test LP
09 August 2018  | 

Fine quality

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This review has not been appraised.


Rating:  
Quick and painless delivery
16 April 2018  | 

Got exactly what i wanted so fast it felt like i bought it downtown instead of from jolly old

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0 of 3 people found this review helpful.


Rating:  
Realy good 180g vinyl
11 January 2017  | 

5 stars for easy turntable setup!

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.


Rating:  
Poor value, mediocre quality
20 September 2015  | 

I bought this to complement my 1990s Hi Fi News test record and 12 inch strobe disk, since it has the 3150 Hz signal that can be used with Dr Feickert's Platterspeed app.

The aim was to measure speed and wow and flutter on my DIY turntable so that I could see if modifications were improving things or making things worse.

My Analogue Productions disk has minimal explanatory text, produces quite a lot of surface noise, and in my case was stamped off-centre, yet it still cost almost twice as much as the HFN disk.

Because the record is pressed off-centre the signal wavers, and measurements cannot be repeated with any great consistency.

In the end I came to the conclusion that I had probably expected too much of this combination, and regret my purchase, especially given the high price of the record itself.

In conclusion, I think far better value for money can be had from a 12 inch strobe disk for speed testing, along with the Hi Fi News disk, which has comprehensive instructions and explanatory text.

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8 of 8 people found this review helpful.


Response:

I'm afraid it sounds like you may have received a faulty disc, please get in touch with us to sort this out for you.

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