History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques

[Aequitas123]

haven't posted in a while but couldn't think of a better place to axe this.

just watching some old movies and wondering if anyone has any knowledge on how music and vocals were mic'd and recorded back in the day (30's to 50's) to get that really distinct vintage sound. i've heard its all ribbon mics but don't know if thats true.

thanks!

[knotkranky]

That's mostly about the source.... then "how" you mic it...... then the mic last. Lots of great vintage mics and all kinds.

[Aequitas123]

yeah i agree, im just curious about the whole chain really. maybe this is to 'modern' a place to be discussing this.

[evernaut]

I think the emphasis for both performers & engineers was much more on the performance itself than the equipment used. The musicians and vocalists would largely "mix" themselves live as they sang, by being at the right distance from the (usually single) microphone. The engineer normally just had to direct positions & capture it as well as he could. Love those great close harmony vocal groups of the '30's and '40's...Ink Spots, etc. Great vibe on them.

[mojofunk]

Perhaps you'll find this interesting - I sure did!
http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.beckwi ... bh32_i.htm

Here's their mixer!


Wow.

[knotkranky]

Do what Count Basie and Duke did. Put a 30 piece band in front of one mic.

[mikemc]

haven't posted in a while but couldn't think of a better place to axe this.

just watching some old movies and wondering if anyone has any knowledge on how music and vocals were mic'd and recorded back in the day (30's to 50's) to get that really distinct vintage sound. i've heard its all ribbon mics but don't know if thats true.

thanks!

There is some insight here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCA_Records

and, I think, also a micro-model of the deterioration of civilization in the story.

[evernaut]

Perhaps you'll find this interesting - I sure did!
http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.beckwi ... bh32_i.htm

Here's their mixer!


Wow.

Wow, indeed. Where was this used?...it's insane. I want one.

[continuous]

Check out Tape Op....magazine (freeish). Great resource and a fun read!

[Aequitas123]

awesome posts here. thanks fellas!

[evernaut]

On a related note ( I'm not holding out for any replies given that this is a forum about a cutting edge DAW ), I've been absolutely blown away in the last year or so by Chet Baker's recordings. Fuck me..that super-dry, close in your ear vocal sound they get on his songs...unbelievable.

I know the answer...take a great singer, put him in a great room, up in front of a Neumann U47 and record to a Studer tape deck. Add heroin and off ya go.

The odd thing is for me is they sound like they could've been recorded today - not in terms of their 'modern' sound, far from it, but the immediacy and presence.

But I wanna know more about how it was done too.

[evernaut]

I've been absolutely blown away in the last year or so by Chet Baker's recordings. Fuck me..that super-dry, close in your ear vocal sound they get on his songs...unbelievable.
)

His voice could be a trumpet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgVXlpXjudI