1950-1963 Direct tape to mono

• What was the time period for direct to tape mono recording?

  1. 1950 - 1963
• How were early recordings from the 1950s characterized?

  They required artists to perform their complete performance in one take.
• What was the role of engineers during the recording process in the 1950s?

  Engineers placed a small number of microphones and connected them to a mixing desk.
• What was the process of recording in the 1950s?

  Signals were mixed live, processed, and then recorded to tape.
• What limitation existed in post-production during the early recording era?

  Very little post-production was available, and any processing had to be applied to the whole mix.
• What type of tape machines were commonly used in studios during this time?

  Stereo machines
• How were final mixes completed despite the use of stereo machines?

  Final mixes were finished as mono productions.
• What was the purpose of capturing the lead vocal on one channel during recording?

  It allowed the engineer to change the level of the vocal relative to the backing.
• What happened once a recording was committed to tape?

  The recording was largely fixed and could not be easily altered.
• What method was used when studios lacked enough microphones or channels?

  They captured ambient sound and balanced the microphones carefully.
• How did the recording method impact performers during recording sessions?

  It encouraged performers to be very accurate in their playing.
• What was the consequence of errors in performance during recording?

  Errors could ruin a take, requiring the entire performance to be redone.
• What was the model of the tape machine used by the BBC?

  EMI RD4/2
• What choice did the EMI RD4/2 offer?

  A choice of mono or stereo heads.
• What was used to record?

  A recording horn
• Everyone plays at same time in same room

  Audio get recorded through a recording horn and straight into the tape recorder
• How many times could performers record a song during the process described?

  Up to ten times
• Why would performers record multiple takes of a song?

  To choose the best performance after any mistakes
• What was the purpose of basic editing in the recording process?

  To combine different elements of a recording
• How could engineers combine different takes during the recording process?

  By splicing tape at appropriate gaps or sections
• Was splicing tape a common practice in popular music recordings at the time?

  No, it was relatively uncommon
• What did engineers typically do instead of splicing tape in popular music recordings?

  They normally captured complete performances