Re: [ARSCLIST] who has recorded acoustically (was speed policies [3])

[George Brock-Nannestad <pattac@xxxxxxxx>]

From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad

Shawn Borri asked:

> Since we are talking  a little about acoustic
> recording, how many of you have worked with acoustic
> recorders, moulded cylinders, and or recorded acoustic
> discs.

----- I ran a state-financed project "Establishment of objective criteria for
correct reproduction of historical sound recordings" in the 1980s and I have
continued on other funding since. I found it indispensable to re-construct
early recording conditions, precisely because so much was secretive. I was
fortunate to speak to recording engineers who had worked with acoustic
recording after I had done it myself, and that enabled me to ask sensible and
relevant questions.

I have recorded cylinders (Miller-Morris), but I did not find that relevant
for me to pursue, because I was after what had happend at commercial
recording sessions. Also, the cylinder line was covered very well for its
time by J.C. Fesler. I have recorded extensively on an original disc
recording machine, original horns, original recording soundboxes and I now
have a handmade set of replica horns of the type used by the Gramophone Co.
and the VTMC. I have recorded by the Berliner process and by the Johnson
process and I have used a number of wax alloys, coated or cast as the case
might be. It is nice to have a chemist in the family. The most exciting
experience was to have a world-class singer to perform the input to acoustic
recordings and to observe the very professional attitude and willingness to
project properly towards the horn, dependent on what it was desired to
convey. Caruso's professionalism sprang to mind (and I used a square vocal
horn!).

> Even today,we try to keep our
> finer points of acoustic recording techniques a
> secret.

----- Some of my procedures are also secretive, but that is mainly because I
would like to have time to develop my writings myself, and in my own time,
being confident that someone else would have to spend quite some time to
catch up.

Happy to meet a colleague!

Kind regards,

George