Edison Museum Wax Cylinder Recording Session (HD)

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  • Опубліковано 5 лис 2009
  • This was the grand re-opening of the ENHS Thomas A. Edison National Historic Site. A demonstration on the museum grounds of an acoustic recording onto a brown wax cylinder and then played back. ~ OCTOBER 10, 2009

КОМЕНТАРІ • 327

  • @patricktheil8844
    @patricktheil8844 3 роки тому +254

    So that's how music in 2009 was made. Crazy to think how far we've come

  • @DeadKoby
    @DeadKoby 7 років тому +253

    It's nice to hear what a fresh cut sounded like... without 100 years of age on it. It's better fidelity than one would expect.

    • @racheln8563
      @racheln8563 3 роки тому +22

      Precisely what I was thinking-it’s the next best thing to actually being in the Edison studio in the early 1900s. The level of clarity shocked me too.

    • @stevegaming2006
      @stevegaming2006 3 роки тому +1

      like ya cut g

    • @samspace1997
      @samspace1997 3 роки тому +9

      Which makes me think how many of these (what last at least) of these cylinders sounded so good back in the day 🥺

    • @raynemichelle2996
      @raynemichelle2996 Рік тому +1

      It still sounds old times tho

    • @gunier.j.kintgenanimations
      @gunier.j.kintgenanimations 10 місяців тому

      @@raynemichelle2996 I mean, you can't exactly expect "Hi-Fi" out of an old cylinder record. Keep in mind, Tomas Edison only got the patent for his lightbulb in 1878, 10 years after the hardware on display here had first been invented. You must admit though, It sounds a lot better being fresh off the recording lathe than if it were a real cylinder record from the time period. Case & Point, here's a recording on brown wax from the 1890's; notice the improved fidelity in comparison. ua-cam.com/video/c0dJc7kP4pM/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TimGracyk

  • @fretkillrlives
    @fretkillrlives 10 років тому +263

    No electricity required! I've recorded on wax cylinder. Edison's acoustic phonograph made possible the thousands of recordings that are now over a century old. These records (cylinders) are amazing audio time capsules that enable us to hear musicians and singers from the late 1800's to the 1920's. Long live Edison.

    • @normanpolland7922
      @normanpolland7922 8 років тому +1

      ?

    • @mattyshredz1071
      @mattyshredz1071 8 років тому +1

      I think the only thing that needs electricity is the spinning.

    • @fretkillrlives
      @fretkillrlives 8 років тому +33

      Incorrect. Phonographs and gramophones from this era were mechanically powered by wind-able spring motors much like a mechanical watch or clock. The user must wind up the phonograph using the crank handle on the side of the unit before playing a cylinder or disc. The rare exception was Edison's Dictaphone cylinder recorder used for office dictation and were powered by electrical motors for convenience. See a spring motor rebuild at watch?v=kCI4k-XBpS4

    • @ZiggyCashmere
      @ZiggyCashmere 7 років тому +15

      Edison is a thief.

    • @runforitman
      @runforitman 7 років тому +13

      Who's gonna be the one to tell him Edison is dead?

  • @rEdf196
    @rEdf196 8 років тому +267

    I would love to see cylinder recordings of hardcore punk rock.

    • @rcamels3042
      @rcamels3042 7 років тому +16

      rEdf196 there is a cylinder recording of electric music! I don't have a link so you'll have to google it :P

    • @cron205
      @cron205 7 років тому +3

      like I've been trying to tell people the old is the new

    • @rockboy360
      @rockboy360 6 років тому

      that's exactly what I always think when I see this stuff.

    • @EduardRitok
      @EduardRitok 6 років тому +1

      in stereo :D

    • @TheProbewizard
      @TheProbewizard 6 років тому +11

      If you go on Rob Scallon’s channel, soon he’ll post a metal song recorded on wax

  • @MrTimber101
    @MrTimber101 11 років тому +22

    We were present at this demonstration when they reopened the Edison laboratories after renovations. Since the demo was outside, it was necessary to use a microphone, amplifier, and speakers to amplify the playback of the cylinder recording. By the way, the recording was remarkably clear and very impressive, giving a good idea of the quality of Edison's technology in the late 1880s and beyond.

    • @solarman350
      @solarman350 3 місяці тому

      Hot Tuna sang a good version if this song.

  • @minoanlight4545
    @minoanlight4545 5 років тому +17

    No electricity needed, just energy of the soundwaves doing the work. Marvelous.

  • @ethzero
    @ethzero 10 років тому +294

    A cookie for the guy in the audience at 8:45 that says: "it sounds like an old recording"... *facepalm*

    • @imnegan7275
      @imnegan7275 7 років тому +26

      fat Americans...

    • @runforitman
      @runforitman 7 років тому +15

      Patrick Allen I literally saw this comment right as he said it

    • @ColHogan-le5yk
      @ColHogan-le5yk 6 років тому +7

      I'm Negan okay then

    • @speedyrob6651
      @speedyrob6651 6 років тому +2

      Patrick Allen More like a neck

    • @yasirsaheed
      @yasirsaheed 6 років тому +7

      I wonder how a new song would sound, when recorded on to wax like this!

  • @jessie4pink615
    @jessie4pink615 7 років тому +112

    as a kid I would of found this incredibly boring to stand thier and watch this and never understand why my parents like vinyl records etc but now I find it incredibly fascinating. clever how a series of grooves can reproduce music so perfectly.

  • @blitzv10
    @blitzv10 8 років тому +339

    is this a new level of hipster i haven't heard about

    • @ArtifactAttic
      @ArtifactAttic 8 років тому +35

      +blitzv10 Yes. But it's been around non-stop for well over 100 years. "Hipsters" are just now finding it out... yes, they'll ruin it in some way as they always do, but at least they're starting to appreciate it. ("Hipsters" ruin record collecting and other long-term technologies and artistic mediums by changing the terminology and misunderstanding various facts, then replacing the original, accurate, information with their error-poisoned misunderstandings.)

    • @michaelcraig9449
      @michaelcraig9449 7 років тому +12

      However, real hippies.. actually like stuff and appreciate how it is..and try to learn the real deal of whatever it is..

    • @lizichell2
      @lizichell2 7 років тому +1

      ArtifactAttic I agree

    • @Discrimination_is_not_a_right
      @Discrimination_is_not_a_right 7 років тому +1

      Edison was a "hipster"? Who knew.

    • @alexsinclair2012
      @alexsinclair2012 6 років тому +2

      @Discrimination is not a right, Butt hurt pretentious liberal asswipe hipster detected.

  • @therealkindle5365
    @therealkindle5365 10 років тому +20

    Amazingly simple but effective technology. Really puts it in to perspective.

  • @ryotech11
    @ryotech11 11 років тому +26

    That guy on the guitar. He's amazing.

  • @katejudson8907
    @katejudson8907 3 роки тому +22

    I always wondered why recorded/popular songs got locked into a 3 and a half minute length. Thanks Edison.

  • @bikingforbrie
    @bikingforbrie 11 років тому +21

    I love the warble - such a classic sound.

  • @Ecksterphono
    @Ecksterphono 12 років тому +23

    Melt about 2 cups beef tallow, Mix in 2 teaspoons of powdered graphite, While stirring pour in your water caustic lye solution (like making soap). take a toilet paper cardboard dip it twice into the solution before it saponifies, let it harden, shape it to size make a plaster mold so it fits the mandrel. shape and shave the cylinder and voila you have a blank cylinder for recording

    • @emily5968
      @emily5968 5 місяців тому +1

      I know its been over a decade, but is there any chance you could make a tutorial?

    • @Ecksterphono
      @Ecksterphono 5 місяців тому +4

      ​@emily5968 . It worked. However I forgot one important step all my blanks separated the glycerols over time. One has to do Trans esterification of the filtered tallow to get the glycerols out of the tallow. And right now I don't live in a location that's feasible to do this. My friend in a small town south of me is super busy now. If I ever get a chance to get a good ventilated shop I will do the process over again. And I will put up a private video. There's a few more processes after the finished product. Also I'm not going to devulge in the extra secret ingredients I use. That method was just basic. I have 2 5 gallon pails of rezin from a certain tree that grows in abundance here that needs to be processed ( the secret ingredient) that I add to the Trans esterifided finished product afterwards.

  • @BertieW0oster
    @BertieW0oster 11 років тому +15

    Cool to hear how it really sounded followed by the recording.

  • @04dram04
    @04dram04 3 роки тому +11

    What blows my mind is how loud it is. Purely mechanical!

  • @SyedAllIn
    @SyedAllIn 6 років тому +13

    100% mechanical recording ! Truly Masterpiece !

  • @marleyfuller6617
    @marleyfuller6617 6 років тому +56

    I'm happy to see Dwight got a job as a park ranger. He's always loved nature.

  • @Superstarseven
    @Superstarseven 8 років тому +22

    The guy playing Edison is an actor by the name of patrick garner, you might remember him as Chad's dad from the Mad Real World sketch on Chappelle's Show.

    • @MasterManny187
      @MasterManny187 7 років тому +1

      Lmao he's the one that gets stabbed

  • @gerica22
    @gerica22 13 років тому +4

    Excellent! I need to get to this museum with my kids. I visited it many years ago when I was a kid.
    I bought a wonderful Edison transitional Model B phonograph from a guy named Tim! It is a beautiful piece of machinery!

  • @Phonophan
    @Phonophan  14 років тому +10

    @rweerakkody4565 Exactly, yes. This was their "grand re-opening" weekend after renovations that kept the museum closed for nearly 6 years. He didn't necessarily impersonate Edison, just was a look-alike walking around the grounds.

  • @Stixnstonez49
    @Stixnstonez49 8 років тому +32

    Dwight Shrute in the wild

  • @spacemissing
    @spacemissing 6 років тому +23

    Early records of all types had so much flutter
    that I can't imagine listening to them very long without experiencing severe fatigue.

    • @kodinamsinh1267
      @kodinamsinh1267 Рік тому

      lol imagine a quartz locked direct drive cylinder machine, i wonder what that would sound like

    • @spacemissing
      @spacemissing Рік тому

      @@kodinamsinh1267
      Someone did, years ago. Look up "Archeophone".

  • @andrednz
    @andrednz 10 років тому +11

    That black cone sure has some moves...

  • @markuslebt
    @markuslebt 9 років тому +34

    and i thought 4-track was retro...

  • @redshifteightpoint6
    @redshifteightpoint6 8 років тому +2

    Wonderful demonstration! Thank you for posting!

  • @andersj.gonzalez4823
    @andersj.gonzalez4823 4 роки тому +2

    Hello from Cuba!!! This is so amazing!!! I wish I could find one of those cylinder phonographs here in my country... So far only vinyl and shellac records!!! I will keep looking... Great demonstration! Thanks!

  • @martelojuniormiguel1968
    @martelojuniormiguel1968 8 років тому +30

    VERY GOOOOD FOR ORIGINAL SOUND HISTORY NO DIGITAL

  • @Phonophan
    @Phonophan  12 років тому +16

    Horns don't get all that much bigger... and being outdoors on a windy day in front of an audience are all factors for using a microphone.

  • @TheAGCteam
    @TheAGCteam 8 років тому +2

    This whole video is amazing.

  • @TheEnchantedTesticle
    @TheEnchantedTesticle 3 роки тому +7

    3:39 It sound like he was singing a ni**** is a ni**** at first 😂

    • @Tonceitoys
      @Tonceitoys 3 роки тому +2

      Guess I'm not the only one, lol

  • @ivyssauro123
    @ivyssauro123 10 років тому +1

    This is amazing! thank you for that! incredibly interesting!

  • @FarhanAmin1994
    @FarhanAmin1994 Рік тому +4

    If I am not mistaken, the original rendition was in the key of C and the final one seems to be in C + 30 cents, i.e., only a minor pitch shift. I didn’t note if there was a tempo shift but if it was there, it was pretty likely minor. But the recording did manage to make the guitar sound a bit like a mandolin and ig somewhat altered the singer’s timbre as well. Goes to show you that different harmonics are "caught" to different extents on the wax. Still overall, an unimaginable and near-magical feat.

    • @joseislanio8910
      @joseislanio8910 Рік тому +2

      It's analog, so a chance in pitch is accompanied with an equivalent change in tempo.

    • @FarhanAmin1994
      @FarhanAmin1994 Рік тому +1

      @@joseislanio8910Aha

  • @aronricardovideo
    @aronricardovideo 4 роки тому +3

    Que delicia ver y escuchar como traen de vuelta a la vida estos tesoros! GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR CON TODOS NOSOTROS!

  • @MarkMphonoman
    @MarkMphonoman 10 років тому +4

    Very cool video, great entertainment. I was surprised at how good the recording came out. Great quality for a 100 year old talking machine.

  • @march11stoneytony
    @march11stoneytony 2 роки тому +1

    The recording quality for dialogue is exceptional.

  • @JaydenLawson
    @JaydenLawson 2 роки тому +1

    What a great demonstration - thanks!

  • @rikvee
    @rikvee 7 років тому +1

    excellent demonstration, thank you!

  • @rweerakkody4565
    @rweerakkody4565 14 років тому +1

    @Phonophan79 a bystander hired to act as Edsion. wow thats a long time: 6 years to renovate a museum. well thats nice to welcome the opening of a worthful museum by surprising the public with pre-sound recording (amidst the modern sound recording techniques). thanks for uploading this.

  • @crtsaretubular3940
    @crtsaretubular3940 5 років тому +3

    Only 1880s kids will remember.

  • @ilove-tv2jm
    @ilove-tv2jm Рік тому +2

    720p in 2009 that is ahead of its time.

    • @retroryan838
      @retroryan838 6 місяців тому

      I always find it strange when I see such a clear image in UA-cam video before 2010.

  • @LidiaBatista1
    @LidiaBatista1 6 років тому

    This is SO amazing!!

  • @LouiePlaysDrums
    @LouiePlaysDrums 14 років тому +2

    Amazing history lesson. Thank you for sharing!!!

  • @renemies78
    @renemies78 2 роки тому

    So darn cool! Thanks for sharing.

  • @jamesmiller4184
    @jamesmiller4184 4 роки тому

    And thus the one moment-in-time is preserved for ever-and-all-time!
    . : .

  • @jaydenmontgomery3912
    @jaydenmontgomery3912 Рік тому +1

    Perfectly clear

  • @Captofthisship
    @Captofthisship 3 роки тому +1

    Awesome video!

  • @SebinkaTV
    @SebinkaTV 5 років тому

    a classic video! I watch it a lot! I love it!

  • @jerryg50
    @jerryg50 Рік тому

    Impressive! This was a huge breakthrough during its time. Before this invention no human or living thing was able to hear recorded and reproduced sound of any type.

  • @darcenumdah
    @darcenumdah 8 місяців тому +1

    That recording would last longer than any mobile phone

  • @seppomuppit
    @seppomuppit 8 років тому +38

    Cool video, the people talking constantly in the background during the demonstration are pretty annoying.

  • @vikingsofvintageaudio7470
    @vikingsofvintageaudio7470 6 років тому

    Thanks for a great video!

  • @eclecticdufus
    @eclecticdufus 12 років тому +3

    He's eight about the metallic soap compound. NEVER try and clean even a sturdier post 1902 black wax cylinder under the tap. It will fall apart in your hands. I know :((

  • @butterbean4195
    @butterbean4195 4 роки тому +1

    simply awesome

  • @kadengrossman6252
    @kadengrossman6252 Рік тому

    i remember visiting edison’s lab in the ford museum and greenfield village.
    the brought out a phonograph and did a recording of “ mary had a little lamb.”
    when it played back…
    i was blown away.
    i had shivers.
    it was so cool. i could hear the woman’s voice. in that cylinder.
    no electronics.
    so.
    FREAKING.
    COOL!
    my little nerd brain exploded.
    i imagine that’s how people of that day felt when the heard
    RECORDED SOUND!!!!!!!!
    🤯🤯

  • @swanniG2
    @swanniG2 14 років тому +1

    This is awesome!

  • @FukiMakai
    @FukiMakai 4 роки тому +1

    In fact it sounds like 1920s. But the impressive thing is how this piece of primitive technology of late 1800s still works. And so, how it sounded when new (taking in count the actual old records are pretty damaged, like play a wasted vynil)

  • @darrenbrown3985
    @darrenbrown3985 10 років тому +3

    This is awesome

  • @kraftpr
    @kraftpr 10 років тому

    audio technology has sure come a long way since these infancy days of recording

  • @thatretrocattt
    @thatretrocattt 5 років тому

    I love these photographs, I find them as great monarchs of the past (including the first light bulb).

  • @HistoryandFacts
    @HistoryandFacts 4 роки тому

    Incredibly facinating

  • @EMGColonel
    @EMGColonel 14 років тому +2

    The "Collector" from England mentioned is Mr Paul Morris of Exeter.

  • @kinkykane0607
    @kinkykane0607 11 років тому +6

    waw that's awesome. I really like the sound quality. It would be awesome to create an album with this device :) Funny thing is bioshock infinity brought me here with the kinetoscope and the beginning song After You've Gone by Marion Harris . I found it fascinating :) I'm going to learn more about the Kinetoscope :)

  • @thealmightyaku-4153
    @thealmightyaku-4153 2 роки тому +1

    What's really crazy, is that recording, uploading and watching this on youtube, is just a different way to do pretty much the same thing.

  • @kidsarefuture
    @kidsarefuture 4 роки тому +1

    Excellent video of Phonograph, i do teach media technologies. So this is very helpful to understand cylinder recorder and player. Thanks for sharing.

  • @shortstuffstumpleson
    @shortstuffstumpleson 9 років тому +2

    If you enjoy this, also go and search for "Recording the Bat City Six" by Semper Phonograph Company. It's a studio band comprised of members of East Side Dandies and Thrift Set Orchestra here in Austin, TX. Recorded in my living room, sounds authentic!

  • @aronricardovideo
    @aronricardovideo 7 років тому

    Excelente trabajo hacen ustedes, al dar a conocer a las nuevas generaciones las maravillosas creaciones de la mente humana!
    Congratulaciones.

  • @EMGColonel
    @EMGColonel 14 років тому +2

    Yes - that's him and he's a major force in the "Phonograph world " in the UK - sadly in severe decline.
    He makes all sorts of Wax Cylinders - including Concert ones

  • @user-co7nf5vc8i
    @user-co7nf5vc8i Рік тому

    great experiment!
    great reproduction!

  • @Alexn1067
    @Alexn1067 11 років тому +1

    great demo, see how it was done and sounded 100 years ago

  • @Ecksterphono
    @Ecksterphono 12 років тому

    This is amazing

  • @salimkumar9748
    @salimkumar9748 4 роки тому

    Thanks for you

  • @cfranko1860
    @cfranko1860 6 років тому +2

    "Only 90's kids will remember"

    • @hashbuckets
      @hashbuckets 5 років тому

      Pajeet Ahluwalia this was 1890s..

  • @AndYetAnotherView
    @AndYetAnotherView 9 років тому +6

    Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project, University of California at Santa Barbara enables you to download mp3s of historic wax cylinder recordings: cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/

  • @Borriaudio
    @Borriaudio 11 років тому +3

    A very good recoding, a guitar is particularly difficult to record acoustically. Yes the blanks are an aluminum soap, with some wax to keep them from being hygroscopic.

  • @latourhighendaudio
    @latourhighendaudio 10 років тому +12

    Anyone know how they were replicated in mass quantities ? Played back on another player that would trace the original groves ? One by one or how ? interesting

    • @juliacox5370
      @juliacox5370 10 років тому +6

      Starting in 1902 they were able to create a mold from the original recording that could be used to produce copies on a large scale without a phonograph. Before that, they weren't really mass produced; the earliest cylinders were created from unique recording sessions.

    • @fretkillrlives
      @fretkillrlives 10 років тому +3

      Search wikipedia for "Phonograph cylinder" for all the answers.

  • @jaimemarin22
    @jaimemarin22 11 років тому +1

    Now Im thinking in .. ¿What is HI- Fi ?....In that cylinder. Great accoustic memory recorded. Fantastic invention of Mr Edison & Berliner ....!!!!!!!

  • @VIVOLITV
    @VIVOLITV 6 років тому

    Fantastic! Hi from florence Italy

  • @MrComputerfan
    @MrComputerfan 10 років тому +2

    Awsome and Interesting!

  • @moow950
    @moow950 6 років тому +2

    I wonder if it is possible to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reconstruct a hifi recording out of old wax roll recordings by feeding it recordings like in this video with a hifi and a wax recording of the same music event. By giving it lots of examples it may be able to clear all the noise/ticks and synthesize the missing information in the wax recording to elevate it to a hifi version.

  • @thomase13
    @thomase13 12 років тому +3

    Very interesting demonstration.
    I don't understand why they would use a microphone when playing it back. Couldn't they have just used a machine with a bigger horn? Sure makes sense to me!

    • @BlackPatti78s
      @BlackPatti78s Рік тому

      The bigger the horn the higher the pressure on the cylinder, which will cause wear on the cylinder extremely quickly and destroy the grooves.

  • @michaelcraig9449
    @michaelcraig9449 7 років тому

    Please show us how to make one and do this stuff.. that would be the coolest thing ever.

  • @PartiZan1992
    @PartiZan1992 7 років тому

    Thumbs up for HD Audio! =)

  • @notconsenting6633
    @notconsenting6633 6 років тому +1

    Amazing

  • @hemantparakh8995
    @hemantparakh8995 4 роки тому

    I would like to Double up the number of Wax Cylinders in the Edisson Museum so kindly suggest a suitable working platform

  • @leonardothefabulous3490
    @leonardothefabulous3490 Рік тому

    SO cool. Can't beat "hands on" -anything. Wondering if they dropped the cylinder into an ice bath might it help with crisper playback??

  • @Bartolome.j.simpson
    @Bartolome.j.simpson 6 років тому +6

    6:00 Whats that? I mean what is he using for the brushing of wax cylinder ?

    • @panda-goat
      @panda-goat 5 років тому +7

      It's a soft bristle brush to brush off the shaved off wax. The recorder carves the groove, so wax goes flying off and onto the cylinder. That's why he's blowing on the cylinder while its recording, so that the shaved wax doesnt build up

  • @jesusalbertogarzagarcia8131
    @jesusalbertogarzagarcia8131 Рік тому +1

    Esta super bueno

  • @DimbleWally
    @DimbleWally 11 років тому +2

    Very nice song, I must say.

  • @wellylhakim3619
    @wellylhakim3619 6 років тому

    Really awesome

  • @michaelcraig9449
    @michaelcraig9449 7 років тому

    Can you show us how to make these? For people that did not study electronics, and want to make one and cut records?

  • @tropicalhorizongaming5459
    @tropicalhorizongaming5459 3 роки тому

    Im surprised how well that sounds to be honest.

  • @pdow52
    @pdow52 10 років тому +78

    This video: Some park ranger helps Elton John record some ragtime song onto a toilet paper roll.

  • @NP4Mayans
    @NP4Mayans 6 років тому

    Brilliant!

  • @EmmetEarwax
    @EmmetEarwax 11 років тому +1

    Before 1909 an announcer would bellow the title of the piece followed by that of the manufacturer. Then the music and singing would start.
    I say BELLOW because sound decays and he had to record audible speech for 5-10 cylinders -at a time, before dubbing and pantograph mass production got going.
    I've heard remarkably clear & clean cylinders and I've heard ones that were hardly more than surface roar. Listen to "Dixie" played by Issler's orchestra here.

  • @EmmetEarwax
    @EmmetEarwax 11 років тому +4

    Well, this cylinder turned out remarkably easy to listen to & understand. A little needle scratch due to the imperfections of a wax (resin) cylinder, but remarkably clear and crisp.
    The spoken intro was pre-1909ish as the spoken announcement was dispensed with in that 1909.
    Had cylinder records maintained their popularity past 1929, we might have had electrically recorded cylinders with microphones instead of horns.

  • @emamargaritadejesus7707
    @emamargaritadejesus7707 2 роки тому

    Alguien puede decirme còmo se llama el cantante y la canción? Can someone tell me the name of the singer and the title of the song?

  • @FarhanAmin1994
    @FarhanAmin1994 Рік тому +1

    Someone ought to make a Netflix series on the gramophone. I mean like a docu-drama. 🥺

  • @frederik027
    @frederik027 14 років тому +1

    love this video XD

  • @jorgemellooliveira9611
    @jorgemellooliveira9611 2 роки тому

    Maravilha congratulações