Great recording labels

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

Rather than hijack Tim's' thread I think it would be a good idea to highlight some of the great recording labels. What were there goal and techniques. how did they go about capturing a natural sound and hall ambiance.

I'll kick it off by citing the obvious example of the legendary Wilma Cozart Fine. http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...+rca+living+presence&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Basic primer on microphone techniques: http://www.deltamedia.com/resource/stereo_microphone_techniques.html

RBFC · Jan 14, 2011

I'd add Layton and Mohr with their recordings in Chicago with Reiner for RCA Living Stereo, and Kenneth Wilkinson for his work during the golden age of London/Decca, especially from Kingsway Hall and Walthamstow Town Hall.

Lee

Phelonious Ponk · Jan 14, 2011

Cool. Any links to recording techniques used by these labels would be appreciated.

Tim

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

Lee I'm learning about the the three microphone "Decca Tree." The Link above concerning Wilma Cozart actually describes the technique of several recording labels. Decca included.
I'd also like to talk about the modern guys Like Doug Sax, David Chesky, et al.

I think used two mikes to a 2track Ampex recorder.

Robert · Jan 14, 2011

Here's a link about 'Wilkie' from Decca:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Wilkinson

RBFC · Jan 14, 2011

I believe Chesky uses a single Soundfield omni mike (or at least have used such...).

Lee

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

I was just looking through a portion of my LP vinyl collection. Some give the recording venue, microphone, tape recorder and actual recording arrangement. Not all are audiophile records.

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

A basic jazz set-up

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

Marcus roberts Trio who I think is S

ony.

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

Shure Microphone techniques:http://www.shure.com/idc/groups/public/documents/webcontent/us_pro_micsmusicstudio_ea.pdf

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

Recording an acoustic guitar: http://www.humbuckermusic.com/acguitrectec.html

Johnny Vinyl · Jan 14, 2011

Is a great label a "great label" because of the techniques they employ?

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

John72953 said:
Is a great label a "great label" because of the techniques they employ?

Basically for purpose of this thread the answer is yes. I would consider Motown for example is a great label because of the talent they developed. I would not get too excited about the sound quality of their recordings.

Johnny Vinyl · Jan 14, 2011

Gregadd said:
Basically for purpose of this thread the answer is yes. I would consider Motown for example is a great label because of the talent they developed. I would not get too excited about the sound quality of their recordings.

Fair enough and I would agree.

However, and I really, really don't want to derail or "crap" on your thread as there are many members who love these kinds of dicsussions, but forgive me for asking the following. The setup and techniques may be good or above par and better than anything heard from other labels, but what about the output? Is the music enjoyable to listen to? Are the pressings on par with the same care taken in the studio? Those things are much more important to me than any technique employed in the studio.

microstrip · Jan 14, 2011

http://www.auldworks.com/bbrec1.htm

This site has a very interesting summary of the THE ART OF RECORDING THE BIG BAND by Robert Auld . Part two even discusses the famous The King James Version recording, and there are plenty of examples and references.
Enjoy!

FrantzM · Jan 14, 2011

Hi

Shouldn't Reference Recording be part of this discussion?
And Water Lily Acoustics? Kavi Alexander (Often great Music, good to great recordings)
And DMP? Tom Jung (Great Music at times, good to excellent recordings)
And ECM which by the way produces great music and great recordings? More often than not .. Good to Excellent Music and decent to extraordinary recordings.
And EMI which has produced some wonderful classics? Som were on the famed HP naker's dozen
And Pathe Marconi ( french Label)
And Proprius?
And BIS
And Harmonia Mundi ( Music from good to spectacular , recording from decent to Extraordinary)
And Tuff Gong Studio, Which recorded many Bob Marley Albums which are sonically splendid?

There are many more I'll stop there

I refuse to be mired in the past looking at the Golden years of recording, yes they were excellent but there are other and in some caes better recordings .. Their music remains ins some instances definetive but there are now better recordings .. An example Regardless of the quality of music (decent to fair) one of the best recording of Live Jazz ..ever, IMHO is Jazz at the Pawnshop .. NO old recording, I have heard comes ...

Gregadd · Jan 14, 2011

How old is Jazz at the Pawnshop?

Johnny Vinyl · Jan 14, 2011

Gregadd said:
How old is Jazz at the Pawnshop?

Without trying to find it I want to say 1976.

LL21 · Jan 14, 2011

Agree on Reference Recording and Proprius. Prof Johnson does remarkable recordings. Pie Jesu...Turtle Creek & Dallas Wind Symphony. smokes...that is an amazing recording. speaking of which, Jazz at the Pawnshop was Dec 14-15, 1976 Stockholm...a Proprius recording. Just bought it this Christmas.

LL21 · Jan 14, 2011

i would also add Collegium Records and Linn Records.

Great recording labels

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