Re: [ARSCLIST] The development of recording technology

[Karl Miller <lyaa071@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 15 Oct 2004, Rob Sevier wrote:

> Since many of the folks on this list seem to have been around awhile, I
> wanted to see if I could get some insight into a period before my time. From
> what I know about the history of the industry, sometime in the late sixties
> there was an explosion of independent record labels. Perhaps this explosion
> happened earlier, I'm not sure. But there must have been a development in
> technology that made recording music more democratic.

You may want to look at:

Chanan, Michael: Repeated takes, a short history of recording and its
effects on music.

Morton, David: Off the record: the technology and culture of sound
recordings in America

Sterne, Jonathan: The audible past, cultural origins of sound recordings

You may also want to see that wonderful film on the making of
shellac discs...streaming video...www.archive.org/movies/movies.php
Search rca  then select "Command Performance." The recording process was SO
encumbered. It is amazing to me that anyone even bothered! Even more
amazing to me is that there were, in those days, many smaller labels.

>From my own perspective, the only way I was able to start my own label
(Pierian) was due to the significantly reduced costs and the advent of the
digital recording technology. I began with a personal investment of
$10,000 and free legal assistance. That amount paid for recording
equipment, (the most expensive being the Neumann mics!) and the cost of
pressing the first few discs. I was able to use my own computer at home for
the editing, mastering, and the preparation of the booklets... layout and
design. It also helps that none of the performers gets paid...until we
recoup the pressing and printing costs. Plus, I never get paid, nor does
my wife who handles the finances!

Now, more than ever before, you can do it yourself on a shoestring budget.

Karl