Re: [ARSCLIST] Equalizers

[david diehl <david.diehl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>> pattac@xxxxxxxx 7/18/2004 10:51:26 AM >>>
From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad
> On 18/07/04, Steven C. Barr wrote:
>
> > Keep in mind that prior to some point in the 1930's, equalization
was
> > "made up on the spot" by the recording engineer, and there was no
> > standardization of any type, even within labels.
----- I am not sure I agree with this way of looking at things.

I would side with George on this one. The WE curve was published and
the Photophone probably was available, too. The "Christmas Tree" effect
was a widely used method of checking response curves.

The differences we hear are the result of what is now called
"sweetening," the process of deliberately altering the recorded sound to
achieve a particular end. This was sometimes achieved by adjusting the
dampening characteristic of the studio or by re-positioning the
performers relative to the microphones.

We tend to use words like "primitive" when describing early recording
but the techniques were often perceptive and sophisticated. Even
acoustical recordings demonstrate that the engineers had a great deal of
control over the end result. Brunswick, for example, had a very
distinctive "sound" that was different from contemporary Victor or
Vocalion recordings. While there were major departures, e.g. Victor
field recordings presenting much more location ambience than NY
recordings, these were exceptions.

David J. Diehl
Library Director
Texas State Technical College