AES 16id-2010 (R2013) (S2014) PDF Download

The AES 16id-2010 (R2013) (S2014) standard provides guidance and recommendations on the selection of appropriate styluses for transferring mechanical sound records. The document is targeted towards archivists, librarians, and technicians who are involved in the transfer process of records dating back 100 years or more.

The standard acknowledges the lack of standardization in the technology used for sound recordings until the late 1940s, which resulted in varying styles of manufacture. To ensure satisfactory and efficient transfers, it is essential to choose a stylus that matches both the manufacturing style and the physical condition of the specific record being transferred.

The document covers stylus selection for different types of records, including vertical recordings on cylinders and discs, coarse-groove lateral recordings on discs, as well as more modern microgroove records in both mono and stereo formats. It aims to provide guidance on stylus dimensions and selection to facilitate accurate and high-quality transfers from these various types of mechanical sound records.