The DVD “The Language of Music” presented a fascinating journey through the history of music recording technology from the viewpoint of one of the most important figures in this field, Tom Dowd. Dowd’s tenure as a recording engineer and producer seems to have spanned over 50 years during which time music recording underwent the change from direct mastering (in the recording studio) to a rotating cylindrical disc, to ¼” mono tape recording, to 8 track multi-track recording destined for stereo playback and beyond. It’s interesting to note that the problems encountered by these very early direct-mastered recordings are still extant today when recording for vinyl release, ie: that these recordings were cut at 88 grooves per inch, which could be increased up to 160 grooves per inch but only by compromising the overall level (the result would be quieter) and risking the playback needle jumping out of the groove. A band that I recorded last semester at the EMU wants to release their recording on vinyl and when we made enquiries at Australia’s only vinyl pressing plant (Zenith Records) we found that the same principle still applies, ie: that the longer the recording, the closer the groove spacing, the quieter the overall level will be, with risk of needle jumping.
References
Anon, Preparing Your Master, Zenith Records
http://www.zenithrecords.org/masters.html, viewed 03/08/08
C. Haines, Seminar, Music Technology Forum, 29/07/08
Various, The Language of Music (DVD), 2003
(Mark Moorman)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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