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Disc manufacture
Disc cutting The signal from the tape is fed to the disc cutter
and modified to the RIAA recording characteristic. It is pre-
sampled 1.1 seconds ahead of the main playback head to
provide a control signal for the cutter-head radial drive, or the
main cutter signal may be delayed. By this means groove
spacing can be varied according to the amplitude of the signal,
thereby achieving maximum playing time. Spacing can vary
from 130 to 390 grooves per inch. A heated triangular chisel,
actuated by two helium-cooled coils, cuts the groove in a
lacquer-coated aluminium disc 14 inches in diameter for a
12 inch record and 10 inche ...