ili (04/13/83)
Half speed mastering means that the lacquer master is cut at half speed. Normal mastrering is done in real time. That means that the master tape moves at the same speed it did during the initial recording and the lacquer master spins at 33 1/3 RPM. Half speed mastering means that the master tape and lacquer are both spinning at half speed. By halving this mastering speed the power required to drive the cutting head is reduced by a factor of 4. Power amp loads are thus reduced and can operate more linearly. The cutting stylus can now more accurately trace all the nuances in the music, keep the distortion low, reduce crosstalk between channels etc. Ira Idelson American Bell
newman (04/15/83)
To me the best thing about half-speed mastered disks is that the frequencies presented to the cutting stylus are halved, resulting in a vastly cleaner high end. Nothing bugs me more than a mushy, harsh high end, especially noticeable as shattering on cymbal crashes on either rock or classical pieces. Does anyone know for sure whether this breakup is attributable to overdriving the cutting stylus/driving amps or to poor master tape recording levels? That is, is it unavoidable to have such a rotten high end on full-speed disks? Or is it a problem that arises during pressing?