Lecture Notes: Recording with 1950s Gear at Sugar Rays Studio

Introduction

• Theme of the Lecture: Exploring honesty in music recording through the use of vintage 1950s gear.
• Location: Sugar Rays, a studio in a garden centre in Essex, England.
• Objective: Learn about working with 50s recording gear and its impacts on modern music production.

Recording Techniques

One Microphone Setup

• Advantages:
  • Captures a natural blend of sound.
  • Less phase cancellation issues.
  • Produces a clear ambient sound.
• Challenges:
  • Managing spill from different instruments.
  • Adjusting positioning to balance sound.

Multiple Microphones Setup

• Two Microphones:
  • Introduction of potential phase problems.
  • Use of Blumlein pair setup for better stereo phase alignment.
• Three Microphones:
  • Dedicated vocal and bass mics.
  • Increased complexity but allows bigger vocal compression.
• Four Microphones:
  • More isolated sound with drier signals.
  • Complication with bleed and finding the source of frequency issues.

Equipment and Sound Engineering

• Vintage Gear Used:
  • RCA44 for vocals, Altec ribbon mics, Altec 1567 mixers, and Altec 436 compressors.
  • Collins 212E desk for broadcasting and recording.
• Special Techniques:
  • Use of figure of eight mics to control sound direction with dead spots.
  • Placement adjustments to solve phase and proximity issues.

Historical Context

• Inspiration: Sun Studios and other 50s studios.
• Resulting Sound:
  • Honest, with human warmth and immediacy.
  • Connects with listeners due to its raw and simple nature.

Modern Implications

• Relevance Today:
  • Interest in idiosyncratic, honest, and unprocessed music.
  • Complemented by modern tools like Pro Tools for fixing disadvantages.
• Target Audience:
  • Singer-songwriters, bluegrass, jazz, blues artists thrive in this setup.
  • Less suitable for modern electronic genres like hip-hop and garage.

Conclusion

• Skills Required: Good performers thrive, acoustic level performers excel.
• Impact on Modern Recording Techniques: Emphasis on live performance and real-time quality of recording.
• Final Thoughts: Encouragement to embrace unique recording techniques and the authenticity they bring to music.

Additional Information

• Sound On Sound Website: Songs recorded, including "Race With The Devil," available for download.
• Video Channel: Encouragement to engage with Sound On Sound's YouTube channel for more content.