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I assume this is a proper place to notice the
passing of Dick Burns, petrhas best known for the "Packburn" audio noise
surpressor.
Many may be familiar with him throgh his
LP label, "Overtone" which was always high quality, musically and
technically. We owe him credit for releasing the Hindemith conducted early
music choral records, the Ives songs with Helen Boatwright, etc.
His standards were uncomprimising. Dick was
the first recording engineer I knew who made his patch bay with XLR
connectors to be sure phasing and grounding were
correct. I've been a dedicated user of the Packburn since it
was released- before my upgrade, I had serial
number 5. Though not a
device for the inattentive engineer, it certainly repaid a focussed
one with results of the highest quality. It required careful use and
adjustment and an awareness of its limitations, particularly excessive
level, for it to operate properly. That was true of most
professional audio equipment of that time.
We'd been friends since before the Packburn or, as
he liked to call it, the "gadget." We shared a strong interest in ancient
chamber music performances, the Lener Quartet being a great favorite of
his. It must have been frightening to eavesdroppers when we
would sit and croak illustrative musical passages at one another.
He had a wry sense of humor and a dry but hearty
laugh. A year or so ago I spent a greatly enjoyable day with Dick
with and Tom Packard (the "Pack" of "Packburn"), talking, between stories and
jokes, about the device's future in light of digital developments. He
felt, and I still do, that the device belonged in the 78 to CD chain before
the signal went to digital. It was typical of him to be considering
its use in light of evolving technology. It wouldn't surprise me
to know he had something further in the works. After all, he not only
loved the "gadget," he loved gadgets. But as a means to an
end. Music.
I've lost a good friend. So has the sound
preservation community.
Steve Smolian
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Steven Smolian 301-694-5134 Smolian Sound Studios --------------------------------------------------- CDs made from old recordings, Five or one or lifetime hoardings, Made at home or concert hall, Text and pics explain it all. at www.soundsaver.com ========================= |