The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) PDF

The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) Overview Vietnam war ends in 1975 Many greats from the 60’s have died Jimi Hendrix Sam Cooke Janis Joplin...

The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) Overview Vietnam war ends in 1975 Many greats from the 60’s have died Jimi Hendrix Sam Cooke Janis Joplin Diane Allman Brian Jones (Rolling Stones) Otis Redding First digital equipment released Many new musical styles emerge: Electronic Disco Punk Reggae/Dub Hip-hop Prog Rock Heavy Metal The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 1  Jazz Fusion The 70’s Sound STYLE Multi-tracking has matured 24-32 tracks is standard for major productions Overdubbing and total isolation of instruments becomes the norm Digital delays and reverbs become available Heavily dampened drum sounds become popular - “dead drums” Wah-wah pedal is everywhere (Funk & Disco) Fender Rhodes is everywhere (R&B, Pop, Rock, Funk, Jazz) More time is spent crafting meticulous productions in the studio Kraftwerk - “Autobahn” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/track/31uidLEHAcF8Cw1cX1VCS8?si=d6edbe5b8b e6415f Released in 1974 German electronic band Ground-breaking sounds Paved the way for future electronic music The track is 22 minutes long Surprising hit! (radio edit) The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 2  Makes use of: Minimoog ARP Odyssey The Hit Factory STUDIO New York City Opens 1975 Massive complex with 7 studios, mastering rooms, rehearsal rooms. a gym, 2 bedroom apartments, etc. Over 100,000 sq. ft. Expanded to Miami NYC location closed 2005 Short list of artists that have worked here: John Lennon Bruce Springsteen (Born in the USA) Paul Simon (Graceland) The Rolling Stones Stevie Wonder (Songs in the Key of Life) Whitney Houston (Bodyguard Soundtrack) 50 Cent The Eagles ARTIST Formed in Los Angeles Active 1971-1980 (then reunited in ‘94) Glenn Frey and Don Henley met playing in Linda Ronstadt’s band The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 3  Released 6 albums in 9 years Massive commercial success “Hotel California” (1979) https://open.spotify.com/album/2widuo17g5CEC66IbzveRu?si=QH_db7 MJSdGp5j9hgxXgxg Takes a year and a half to complete Produced by Bill Szymczyk (simzik) Band’s transition from country to rock The Record Plant STUDIO Two locations: 1968 - NYC (closes mid-80’s) 1969 - LA Home of many classic albums: The Eagles - “Hotel California” https://open.spotify.com/album/2widuo17g5CEC66IbzveRu?si=QH_ db7MJSdGp5j9hgxXgxg Stevie Wonder - “Innervisions” https://open.spotify.com/album/5jgI8Eminx9MmLBontDWq8?si=DtY vJ89gQJm1bbSu9zOeyw The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 4  Guns ‘n’ Roses - “Appetite for Destruction” https://open.spotify.com/album/28yHV3Gdg30AiB8h8em1eW?si=0Y mBJ7K0Qjuwte6wEKe_eg Jimi Hendrix - “Electric Ladyland” https://open.spotify.com/album/5z090LQztiqh13wYspQvKQ?si=ruP pI2wSSIe1iphmeSfnhw Fleetwood Mac - “Rumours” https://open.spotify.com/album/1bt6q2SruMsBtcerNVtpZB?si=0Kiy NGkYRDKCTGnWB-eEAA One of the first studios to adopt 24-track and 32-track digital Steely Dan ARTIST Founded 1972 in NYC Duo consisting of: Donald Fagen (keyboards/vox) Walter Becker (guitar & bass) Known for: Meticulous studio craftsmanship Complex harmony Unusual lyrical themes The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 5  Utilized many great studio musicians Recorded by Roger Nichols Produced by Gary Katz Steely Dan - “Aja” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/1hOK2ey9W76x9GnftSRgrw?si=v7KZWKo mRs-2yGI-2pk-vg Released in 1977 Artistic and technical high point for band Jazz harmony, rock and R&B sonics, pop formats Over 30 session musicians on the album Larry Carlton Wayne Shorter Steve Gadd Bernard Purdie Jim Keltner Michael McDonald Engineers: Roger Nichols, Al Schmitt, Elliott Scheiner (mixing) Produced by Gary Katz Recorded at Villager Recorders, LA Reggae STYLE Jamaican musical style that emerged in the 1960’s The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 6  Comes from ska and rocksteady styles Uses traditional R&B/rock instrumentation with a twist: Drums and bass are the most important instruments Drum fills start nearly every song Very syncopated Off-beat guitar shots (skank guitar) Harmonically simple but texturally and rhythmically complex Important figures: Bob Marley & The Wailers Peter Tosh Toots & the Maytals Gregory Isaacs Bob Marley & The Wailers ARTIST Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer & Peter Tosh Recorded for UK-based Island Records Achieved global popularity in the 70’s One of the most recognizable and impactful musicians of the 20th century Single-handedly popularized and defined the sound of reggae music 1977’s “Exodus” is considered Bob’s masterpiece by many https://open.spotify.com/album/655KljKIXl42fiNDMKivbY?si=0b0t-NaY TZ2g-L5969pGEQ Started his own studio “Tuff Gong” in Jamaica The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 7  Pioneers of Dub PRODUCER Osbourne “King Tubby” Rudduck Major figure in development of dub Created a massive custom sound system Tubby’s “versions” are early remixes Inventor of the remix? Lee “Scratch” Perry Pioneer, madman Producer of early Bob Marley & The Wailers Dub Music STYLE Dub plates: Pre-release vinyl pressings Soft wax/acetate Later referring to various remixed “versions” Backside of the single Versions are remixes of reggae songs including: Filtering Reverb Tape delay Creative muting Studio as an instrument Roland Space Echo The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 8  TECHNOLOGY 1974 - RE-201 Spring reverb & tape delay Legendary and coveted sound Warm, saturated analog sound with freaky possibilities Maybe most iconic tape delay of all time Vital to the dub sound and produces King Tubby and Leo “Scratch” Perry Queen STYLE Formed in London, 1970 Lead singer Freddie Mercury Lead guitarist Brian May “A Night at the Opera” https://open.spotify.com/album/7HVoV2lgVsmuiHsjbbUJB4?si=Jp1LFF_ rTsmWZKjAAem8sw Released 1975 Band’s magnum opus Contains Bohemian Rhapsody Produced by Roy Thomas Baker High levels of studio craftsmanship Ushered in a new sub-genre of rock called “stadium rock” Posthumously immortalized in 1992 film “Wayne’s World” EMT 250 The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 9  TECHNOLOGY Released 1976 Successor of the EMT 150 EMT is a German company First digital reverb Algorithm designed by MIT prof Sold for about $20,000 USD in 1976 Polyphonic Synths of the Mid-70’s TECHNOLOGY Mellotron (1970) Model 400 ARP Odyssey (1972) Duophonic Moog Polymoog (1975) Yamaha CS-80 (1976) 8 voices Extremely powerful Used in Blade Runner 200 lbs Stevie Wonder - “Songs in the Key of Life” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/6YUCc2RiXcEKS9ibuZxjt0?si=t9iMsdqcTM Ke44YDDSz9YA The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 10  Released 1976 Self-indulgent, epic double album End of Stevie’s classic period Wins Grammy for Album of the Year Electric Ladyland Studios STUDIO Located in NYC, Greenwich Village Originally owned by Jimi Hendrix (1968-1970) Jim’s engineer Eddie Kramer convinces him to make a studio Named after Jimi’s album “Electric Ladyland” Neve console Major New York studio of the 1970’s: Stevie Wonder John Lennon Led Zeppelin David Bowie Lou Reed Neve 80 Series Console TECHNOLOGY AMS Neve (Rupert Neve) 1081 preamps (1973) Many 80 series desks 8038, 8048, 8078, etc. Fat, round, warm (rock, acoustic, jazz) The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 11  Very high headroom 1977 - Automation system NECAM (Neve Computer Assisted Mixdown) SMPTE code Motorized faders Unreliable! dbx 160 TECHNOLOGY Released 1976 David Blackmer, founder of dbx (Decibel Expansion) Comp/limiter Early VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) based compressor Popular on drums Program dependent attack and release Sony PCM F-1 TECHNOLOGY Released in 1977 First digital recording device First AD/DA converter PCM (pulse code modulation) 16 bit Paired with a video recorder The Power Station STUDIO One of the major NYC recording studios of the 70’s The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 12  Now part of the Berklee NYC campus Opened 1977 by Tony Bongiovi and Bob Walters Neve 8088 console - 40 input Artists that have recorded here in the 70’s and 80’s: Bruce Springsteen Madonna The Rolling Stones Dire Straits Herbie Hancock Disco STYLE Disco is short for discotheque Loft parties/private clubs for sexual and visible minorities to be free from discrimination (early 70’s) The 12” single The birth of club culture and the club DJ The sound of disco, up-tempo, 4 on the floor drums, syncopated funky bass, lush arrangements with strings and bass Studio 54 in NYC Saturday Night Fever (1977) Beginning of the end of disco Notable artists: The Bee Gees Donna Summer Chic (Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards) The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 13  Gloria Gaynor KC and the Sunshine Band Earth Wind & Fire Michael Jackson Nile Rogers & Bernard Edwards (Chic) PRODUCER Production duo Defined the disco sound Produced: Chic Diana Ross Sister Sledge Nile produced: David Bowie Duran Duran Madonna INXS Jeff Beck Mick Jagger Laurie Anderson The B-52’s Yamaha NS-10 TECHNOLOGY Released in 1978 The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 14  The worst sounding & most famous studio monitors of all-time Originally designed as commercial bookshelf speakers Mid heavy, boosts upper mids especially No bass, often paired with a sub Legendary mix engineer Bob Clearmountain pioneered their use calling them the “worst speakers he could find” If a mix is good on NS-10s, it will be good (and scooped) anywhere Fleetwood Mac - “Rumours” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/1bt6q2SruMsBtcerNVtpZB?si=hLVBu5HMT vqMXKrmFs3T4A Grammy Album of the Year in 1978 Made largely while the band members were breaking up and using lots of drugs Massive commercial success Recorded at Record Plant and Sound City in California Features the dead 70’s drum sound Fender Rhodes and Hammond B3 throughout Roland CR-78 TECHNOLOGY Released 1978 CR - CompuRhythm Analog drum machine with 34 preset patterns The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 15  User programmable patterns (stored in RAM) - first to do this! Unrealistic sounds Used on many pop and rock songs: Phil Collins - “In the Air Tonight” https://open.spotify.com/track/18AXbzPzBS8Y3AkgSxzJPb?si=2e16 fb6aa55745bd Hall & Oates - “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” https://open.spotify.com/track/41dDygR3r7e926oGUXfrLt?si=b1f3c 6deb65b491f Lexicon 224 TECHNOLOGY First demo at AES in 1978 Released 1979 2nd digital reverb ever Ubiquitous digital reverb of the 80’s (along with the next gen Lexicon 480) Unrealistic but great in the mix 4U rack “brain” Console top controller unit $7900 USD in 1978 - $30k in 2023 Birth of Hip-Hop STYLE The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 16  Originates in New York City in the mid-to-late 70’s Born out of disco and dub performance techniques (kind of) The 3 elements of hip-hop culture: Music (turntablism & rapping) Graffiti (also popular in punk scene with logos, etc.) Breakdancing (B-boys and B-girls) The Sugarhill Gang’s song “Rapper’s Delight” released 1979 https://open.spotify.com/track/259LzD4H9Z6W5TqfZSmKzZ?si=c02a9 de6d72346e5 Replay of Chic’s “Good Times” https://open.spotify.com/track/0G3fbPbE1vGeABDEZF0jeG?si=3e50a2a f75d042e1 Sugarhill Gang were copying popular rap routines of the time DJ Kool Herc ARTIST DJ Kool Herc aka Clive Campbell Jamaican born New Yorker Herc hosts street parties starting in 1973 Herc uses turntables and mixer to repeat drum breaks for dancers Merry Go Round technique Audience that dances to the drum/instrumental breaks - break dancers The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 17  Sound City Studios STUDIO Opened 1970 Van Nuys, CA Famous Neve console Dave Grohl fetishized the studio in “Sound City” documentary Epitome of the dirty 70’s and 80’s rock studio Sound City records: Tom Petty - “Damn the Torpedoes” https://open.spotify.com/album/0qKA3aqubD47jfFVoPfsiy?si=xuz-l xR4T-ed_OVfvdWz_A Fleetwood Mac - “Rumours” (partial) Neil Young - “After the Gold Rush” https://open.spotify.com/album/5EVlXlHbRQI8ybuNt4ArXI?si=oDDU O0n5TzyssPlWvxzOjQ Nirvana - “Nevermind” https://open.spotify.com/album/2guirTSEqLizK7j9i1MTTZ?si=EazSy FoVSAymjCnSzsQHYQ Bob Ezrin PRODUCER The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 18  The most famous Canadian producer of the 70’s? Mentored by Jack Richardson Juno Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award Worked on: Pink Floyd - “The Wall” (multiple albums) https://open.spotify.com/album/5Dbax7G8SWrP9xyzkOvy2F?si =UiERX9CtRyGdsj_c6x6Y3A Alice Cooper - “School’s Out” (multiple albums) https://open.spotify.com/album/0zKjnOsXxs63unPR6TWoHq?si =NgV5ykuxRIewML60qY9JqA Peter Gabriel - “I” (solo debut) https://open.spotify.com/album/0kDFjyfGFtiIMXlxJ120Ok?si=Gs TIZqFlSbKn8Gr9izGV2Q KISS (multiple albums) Lou Reed - “Berlin” https://open.spotify.com/album/4iaDgkP0M6ahEHrBynAFei?si= _pRO5hC6T3u62rk7uUJcMw Birth of Punk Rock The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 19  STYLE Emerges in NYC in the mid-70’s Comes out of garage rock of the late 60’s Reaction to perceived excess of the 70’s Excessive lifestyle choices, song length, subject matter, craftsmanship, musicianship, etc. Emphasizes harder edge, faster and shorter songs, anti-establishment messages, DIY approach NYC club CBGB’s is the womb of 70’s NYC punk Punk Icons of the 70’s ARTIST The Ramones Formed 1974, NYC Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, Tommy Played at CBGB’s Sex Pistols 1975-1978 London Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious Kick-started UK punk scene Misfits 1977-1983, New Jersey Danzig Horror punk Black Flag 1976, LA Henry Rollins The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 20  Hardcore (faster, harder, more aggressive) The Clash ARTIST Formed 1976, London Improved on the craft side of punk records “London Calling” https://open.spotify.com/album/6FCzvataOZh68j8OKzOt9a?si=Zjguxy4 GRGGf1q2nTWu97w Released 1979 US breakthrough Incorporated other genres into their sound Joe Strummer (guitar, vox) First Digital Multitrack TECHNOLOGY Digital devices start emerging in the early 70’s Early digital recordings just stereo two-track Soundstream Digital System 1977 Dr. Tom Stockham First commercial digital recording system First digital multi-track pop album in 1979 Ry Cooder’s “Bob till You Drop” The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 21  https://open.spotify.com/album/6GQLj4tvPqK3jjqTt1Lt5L?si=-tMkmn NcQ3ico7vN9y9G1w Ampex ATR-102 TECHNOLOGY ATR-100 released at AES 1977 ATR-102 made small improvements and becomes the industry standard from 1970 onwards One of the cleanest sounding and best made 2-track tape machines of all time Used primarily for mixdowns and mastering 15 and 30 IPS Can be setup for either 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch tape Modelled by UAD David Bowie - “Heroes” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/4I5zzKYd2SKDgZ9DRf5LVk?si=_ahKXoinSy C7Y3OmloAvMA Released in 1977 Recorded in Berlin Produced by: Brian Eno Tony Visconti Robert Fripp (King Crimson) The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 22  3 mic gate technique for lead vocal reverb on Heroes Cool idea, but does it actually sound good? Title track is over 6 minutes, was still a hit! The Synclavier TECHNOLOGY Synclavier I - 1977 Made by New England Digital Digital synth Sampler Workstation Computer + keyboard Extremely high tech for the time Insanely expensive Studer A800 TECHNOLOGY Released in 1978 Studer is a Swiss company Exceptionally well-designed Controlled by a microprocessor (first ever) Uses 2-inch tape Powerful and responsive motor Becomes the industry standard multitrack machine in the 1980’s Modelled by UAD SSL The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 23  TECHNOLOGY Solid State Logic: founded by Colin Sanders (1969) Prototypes released in the mid-70’s (A, B series) SSL 4000E released in 1979 4 busses (2 stereo pairs) Dynamics, gate, 4 band EQ, HPF/LPF, inserts in every channel Internal computer to control recall and transport Mix snapshot saved to floppy disks Later 6000 and 8000 series dominated the 80’s and 90’s studios Clean and fast (pop, R&B, hip-hop) Changed the world of mixing and production in the 80’s and 90’s Michael Jackson - “Off the Wall” RELEASE https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZytN2cY4Zjrr9ukb2rqTP?si=2j5MAz1yQ8 CaDmZFKNVysA First solo album Released 1979 String disco influence Establishes Michael as the biggest star of his generation Produced by Quincy Jones Engineered by Bruce Swedien New image for MJ (bye bye Michael) Fairlight CMI The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 24  TECHNOLOGY Released in 1979 Computer Musical Instrument Breakthrough instrument Digital polyphonic synth Sampler Pseudo DAW Draw harmonics with a pen! Series II released in 1982 16 bit/44.1 sampling capability Same sample rate as the… The Compact Disc Prototype TECHNOLOGY Developed by Phillis and Sony 1979 first prototype of the CD Using similar tech to a LaserDisc (first in 1978) Laser beam encodes info optically onto disc Not commercially available until 1982 44.1/16 bit becomes the digital standard moving forward Perfect sound has finally been achieved… or has it? Other Notable Artists of the 70’s The Police (Sting) AC/DC Elton John The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 25  Billy Joel The Doobie Brothers Paul Simon Iron Maiden Prince Rush Grand Funk Railroad Van Halen Peter Gabriel Herbie Hancock Bill Withers ELO James Taylor Frank Zappa KISS Previous Next The Golden Age of Tape: Part I The Digital Revolution: Part I (1980- (1970-1973) 1989) The Golden Age of Tape: Part II (1974-1979) 26