DJ and Professional Turntable User - Duophonic recordings

Print Page | Close Window

Duophonic recordings

Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: DJ and Professional Turntable User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2763
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 12:35am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Duophonic recordings

Posted By: shashirao
Subject: Duophonic recordings
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2016 at 10:19pm

I have a few of these Duophonic recordings in my collection. Details on duophonic:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duophonic

These vinyls can be played Mono or in Electronically Processed Stereo mode. The Mono cartridge playback is satisfactory, however the sound loses some of the clarity and details.

With a stereo cartridge the reproduction is imbalanced - the bass is on the left speaker...the treble mostly shifted to the right. The Revelation C mono switch has also helped a bit.

I wanted to check with the forum if anyone had a different take at handling these type of recordings or improved process?

Thanks

Shashi

Replies:

Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 9:25am

Interesting bit about "I Am The Walrus". All this time I've been blaming the equipment, but it was the record company farting about!

I suppose the problem with putting garbage in is that garbage comes out. I don't have a clue how to reverse all the special effects they used.

-------------
That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps

Posted By: BAK
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 3:24pm

Some of the artists used very new recording effects to great extent and with great "in-their-day" effect.
These duophonic recordings were meant to have their sound effects sound better on stereo playback.
Sometimes it was putting different instruments on the left or right only to show there was a difference between left and right... other times it was trying to place the instruments in their stage position.

My take is, if it sounds better in stereo, I would enjoy it played back in stereo.

No need to try and understand the mechanics of why it was recorded that way.
To find that out you would have to ask the artist or recording engineer.

-------------
Bruce
AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way!

Posted By: shashirao
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 6:40pm

Surprisingly these duophonic recordings are heard better in mono playback mode. Most of these vinyls do mention that they can be played in mono mode (cartridge).

The problem of playing these recordings in Stereo is...the fake stereo has the bass playing on the left channel...the treble sounds are on the right...it really makes for painful listening over headphones. Heard over speakers it makes the singer sound as if singing at the bottom of a very deep and empty well.

In my listening...the best solution by far I have found is with a mono cartridge and the Revelation C pre-amp. The reproduction is the most pleasing and as close to a decent balanced rendition as possible.

But I agree...no stereo equipment can undo whatever custom recording muddling the sound recordists implemented to get their fake stereo. In India this was done to support EMI/HMV's existing user base of their turntables which was plugged into Murphy radio (mono) for playback. These turntables were manufactured for HMV...and were direct driven by metal gear. Converting the userbase to Stereo was found to be too expensive a deal...and hence these duophonic recordings reigned longer here than anyplace else in the world.