History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
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History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
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!
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!
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Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
That's mostly about the source.... then "how" you mic it...... then the mic last. Lots of great vintage mics and all kinds.
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Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
yeah i agree, im just curious about the whole chain really. maybe this is to 'modern' a place to be discussing this.
Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
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.
Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
Perhaps you'll find this interesting - I sure did!
http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.beckwi ... bh32_i.htm
Here's their mixer!
Wow.
http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.beckwi ... bh32_i.htm
Here's their mixer!
Wow.
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Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
Do what Count Basie and Duke did. Put a 30 piece band in front of one mic.
Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
There is some insight here:Aequitas123 wrote: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!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCA_Records
and, I think, also a micro-model of the deterioration of civilization in the story.
UTENZIL a tool... of the muse.
Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
Wow, indeed. Where was this used?...it's insane. I want one.mojofunk wrote:Perhaps you'll find this interesting - I sure did!
http://www.btinternet.com/~roger.beckwi ... bh32_i.htm
Here's their mixer!
Wow.
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Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
Check out Tape Op....magazine (freeish). Great resource and a fun read!
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Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
awesome posts here. thanks fellas!
Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
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.
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.
Re: History: 1930s to 1950s microphones and techniques
His voice could be a trumpet.evernaut wrote: 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.
)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgVXlpXjudI