Technology That Changed Recording History (Part 1)

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

I came across a YouTube video that some people may find interesting.

Technology That Changed Recording History (Part 1).




Part 2:


Here is a link to the American Epic Sessions video series mentioned in the video where they demonstrate making a recording using the vintage recording equipment:

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The strap that holds the weight that powers the turntable on the lathe failed during a session and Jack White takes it to a nearby upholstery shop and they let him use a sewing machine to repair it. Some nice music is recorded. Elton John, and Bernie Taupin contribute to the project. Taj Mahall, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and others as well.

I highly recommend watching these videos.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Fats Waller did some fantastic performances on a real church organ in New Jersey in the 30’s and it’s a shame that the recording quality was so poor back then. I noticed a big improvement in recording quality in the very early 70’s. Compare the recording quality of The Doors to later Pink Floyd and it’s apples to oranges.

 

[Pirate Captain]

Fats Waller did some fantastic performances on a real church organ in New Jersey in the 30’s and it’s a shame that the recording quality was so poor back then. I noticed a big improvement in recording quality in the very early 70’s. Compare the recording quality of The Doors to later Pink Floyd and it’s apples to oranges.

I read (I think in one of Ted Gioia's books) that we don't really "know" what Bix Beiderbeck actually sounded like, because so much of the tonal qualities were not able to be captured by the recording techniques of the day, and that we're only hearing basically a shadow of it. Makes you wonder about a lot of classic recordings.

 

[bassdude51]

Fats Waller did some fantastic performances on a real church organ in New Jersey in the 30’s and it’s a shame that the recording quality was so poor back then. I noticed a big improvement in recording quality in the very early 70’s. Compare the recording quality of The Doors to later Pink Floyd and it’s apples to oranges.

Ha! Far out that you mentioned Fats Waller on the church organ. I have that album on a 33 1/3 RPM vinyl record that I bought over 20 years ago. LOVE IT! One or two Waller organ tracks were used on the soundtrack to the movie Eraserhead by David Lynch.

Thanks for mentioning Fats Waller!

 

[KeepItMoving]

Cool stuff, and a great reminder of what an incredible era we live in. Even an inexpensive smartphone will make a high quality recording and for a few hundred dollars you can have a multitrack setup better than anything that existed in the 20th century.

If you’re interested in both the technology and how it’s impacted music (for creators and listeners), this book is a fascinating read:


Repeated Takes – Michael Chanan

 

[Fender_Bender]

Ha! Far out that you mentioned Fats Waller on the church organ. I have that album on a 33 1/3 RPM vinyl record that I bought over 20 years ago. LOVE IT! One or two Waller organ tracks were used on the soundtrack to the movie Eraserhead by David Lynch.

Thanks for mentioning Fats Waller!

I borrowed a cd from the library about 25 years ago that might be the same thing. Lots of organ tracks. I liked it enough that I had a friend copy it, which was a bit of a pain back then. He was something else on both organ and piano. My dad told me about the time he snuck into a bar in the beaches area of Toronto when he was about 16 and saw Fats on the piano. Said he was downing beers at the same time as playing.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I read (I think in one of Ted Gioia's books) that we don't really "know" what Bix Beiderbeck actually sounded like, because so much of the tonal qualities were not able to be captured by the recording techniques of the day, and that we're only hearing basically a shadow of it. Makes you wonder about a lot of classic recordings.

The Waller recordings I’m talking about sound like they were recorded through about 5 layers of gauze. I remember the bassoon and other woodwinds sounding like cardboard. And it was probably state of the art back then because Fats was no lightweight, literally and sonically.

 

[kesslari]

The Waller recordings I’m talking about sound like they were recorded through about 5 layers of gauze. I remember the bassoon and other woodwinds sounding like cardboard. And it was probably state of the art back then because Fats was no lightweight, literally and sonically.

One of the things mentioned is that a lot of that quality degradation came in the pressing of the recording to vinyl/shellac.
They also mentioned that playing back the wax master destroyed it. So you got one shot.

It would have been cool to have gotten to hear the wax master while it was still fresh.

 

[Fender_Bender]

One of the things mentioned is that a lot of that quality degradation came in the pressing of the recording to vinyl/shellac.
They also mentioned that playing back the wax master destroyed it. So you got one shot.

It would have been cool to have gotten to hear the wax master while it was still fresh.

Yep, I guess I’m being a little harsh in my assessment considering the technology of the time. Sounds a bit like the “direct to disc” process that was also a one shot deal. It would have been fascinating to see the recording process in action. It would have been fascinating to see the performances in action.