1920's valve recording equipment on TV - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mike-repairman · 11th Jun 2017, 8:29 am

For anyone interested in this era and recording sytems there's a program I watched last night having recorded it on Friday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...4-the-sessions

A restoration chap had rebuilt an entire recording studio with all the original equipment used in the late 20' and 30's. Valve condenser mics (1st generation), valve amplifiers and the only remaining disc cutting machine (a mechanical work of art) which was used to produce 78 records. Also interesting was the fact that the studios only used one microphone so had to position the instrumentalists and singers to get all the volume levels correct; caused a few headaches. And of course there was the odd breakdown, which was to be expected.

It's two hours long but you can cut out some of the music if it's not to your taste.

Well worth a watch.

Mike.

Andrew2 · 11th Jun 2017, 9:14 am

We watched this and it was fascinating. The playback quality sounded very good and it was good to see the musicians all playing along 'live' together rather than all shut away in booths doing over-dubs etc.

Mike-repairman · 11th Jun 2017, 9:25 am

Yes Andrew; real musicians get it right all the time. They did have problems with the gospel choir didn't they.

11th Jun 2017, 8:29 am	#1
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	1920's valve recording equipment on TV For anyone interested in this era and recording sytems there's a program I watched last night having recorded it on Friday. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...4-the-sessions A restoration chap had rebuilt an entire recording studio with all the original equipment used in the late 20' and 30's. Valve condenser mics (1st generation), valve amplifiers and the only remaining disc cutting machine (a mechanical work of art) which was used to produce 78 records. Also interesting was the fact that the studios only used one microphone so had to position the instrumentalists and singers to get all the volume levels correct; caused a few headaches. And of course there was the odd breakdown, which was to be expected. It's two hours long but you can cut out some of the music if it's not to your taste. Well worth a watch. Mike.

11th Jun 2017, 9:14 am	#2
Andrew2 Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 2,037	Re: 1920's valve recording equipment on TV We watched this and it was fascinating. The playback quality sounded very good and it was good to see the musicians all playing along 'live' together rather than all shut away in booths doing over-dubs etc. __________________ Andy G1HBE.

11th Jun 2017, 9:25 am	#3
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	Re: 1920's valve recording equipment on TV Yes Andrew; real musicians get it right all the time. They did have problems with the gospel choir didn't they.