Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording Interviews
Welcome to the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording
MOMSR is dedicated to the preservation of the technology of sound recording including the reel to reel tape recorder and its impact on music, broadcasting, film/video and science. In addition to the vintage technology, our Museum documents the significant individuals who invented, manufactured, engineered and produced audio creating the sounds in our lives! A part of this goal is to also document the recorders musicians used in the early creation of their music, prior to booking studio time. Here's a link to many of those musicians and producers with recorders. Stars with reel tape recorders and in studios.
Download 7 hours of video about our collection
Here's a pdf of photos recently taken of the MOMSR collection August, 2020
What's new?
MOMSR presents the Evolution of the Austin Community College Music Business, Performance and Technology program
In 1986, MIX magazine released the Educational issue profiling all the recording schools around the US. I was looking through the list and saw Austin was not included. So my wife Chris and I did some checking with the folks we worked with in the Austin music business and...NOPE, nothing.
So I went to UT, St. Edwards, Concordia and Texas State University in San
Marcos. They weren't interested. I visited the programs in Levelland, Texas where Tom T. Hall had contributed to a thriving program. I also visited with other schools in Dallas, Houston and several more.
I was serving on the Austin Community College's Business Management Advisory Council, so I approached ACC President Dan Angel and over the next three years, thanks to a lot of folks who gave a great of time, the ACC Commercial Music Program was born. Many more were dedicated to seeing the program thrive and grow.
Fast forward to 2021. Thanks to an interview by the Austin Chronicle, posted by Tim Dittmar on his FB page, I became aware of the great strides the program had taken over the years. Tim and Kurtis provided Chris and I with a tour and and interview. That's what this video is about.
Link to ACC Music Business, Performance & Technology
More information about the program's beginnings.
Link to Austin Chronicle article
Full Dr. Dan Angel ACC interview with Martin Theophilus
If you taught in the program, took courses, and/or became
employed as a result of taking the courses, please let us know.
Martin & Chris Theophilus with Tim Dittmar and Kurtis Machler
The Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording - Part 1 of 3 - J.I. Agnew visits.
The Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording - Part 2 of 3 - J.I. Agnew visits.
The Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording - Part 3 of 3 - J.I. Agnew visits
SBE Society of Broadcast Engineers interview of Martin Theophilus MOMSR
MOMSR interview with David Hough ACL audio Director
David Hough shared stories about his beginnings in sound recording which led to his becoming the Audio Director for Austin City Limits since its pilot sessions in 1974. The interview by Chris & Martin Theophilus for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording was conducted in the ACL studios.
Go to interview page Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Lisa and Freddy Fletcher - Austin's Arlyn Studios
Lisa and Freddy Fletcher with Austin's Arlyn Studios were interviewed by MOMSR's Directors Chris and Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.). The interviews include Lisa and Freddy's histories and the history of the building Arlyn occupies.
Go to interview page Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Lisa Fletcher was interview by Chris and Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.) for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. Lisa was providing a tour to some Arlyn visitors prior to the interview, so parts of her interview for the Arlyn Studio video were incorporated with the tour. Our Museum greatly appreciates Lisa and Freddy sharing the Arlyn Studios story with our Museum.
Go to interview page Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Interview with Robert Metzner (founder of Roberts Recorders) and his wife and son in Beverly Hills
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
On December 11, 2012, Chris & Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.), Directors for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording, interviewed 95 year old Robert G. Metzner in his home in Beverly Hills, California. His son, Dr. Richard Metzner facilitated the interview and Robert Metzner's wife of 72 years, Esther Metzner joined in the interview and hosted lunch. In the over 2 hour interview we heard about the founding of Roberts Recorders, Califone (a major A/V equipment manufacturer still in business to this day) and the numerous patents Mr. Metzner created. We have segments of the interview available on this web site.
Go to interview page Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
We are saddened to learn about the passing of Robert G. Metzner on December 21, 2014.
View his Son Richard's page about his Dad
MOMSR's Stories section on Roberts Recorders
Ray Benson - Asleep At the Wheel
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Ray Benson was interviewed in Bismeaux Studio B by Chris and Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.) for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. Ray shared stories about his early music and recording history, as well as, the evolution of Asleep At The Wheel. An amazing journey that's still on the road today! We sincerely appreciate Ray sharing his story with our Museum. We include a couple of relevant clips from Floyd Domino's interview as well. Ray has an incredible history in so many areas. The interview includes information about his Bismeaux Studios and the equipment that he used over the years.
Go to interview page
Floyd Domino - Grammy winning piano player
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
While Floyd Domino is widely recognized for his years with Asleep at the Wheel and the revival of Western Swing, Floyd began his career with a broad grounding in jazz, boogie woogie, swing and blues piano. Floyd's sparkling keyboards and versatility make him the choice of swing, jazz and blues musicians well beyond his Austin, Texas home.
Go to interview page
Rupert Neve dedicating the Neve 5088 console at Blue Rock Studios
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Rupert Neve being interviewed by Billy Crockett during the dedication of the new Neve 5088 console in the Blue Rock Studio. We were in a lucky position to shoot this video for MOMSR. It is made available thanks to Billy, Rupert and Neve's representative Josh. From left Blue Rock Chief Engineer Charlie Kransky, Blue Rock co-owner Billy Crockett, Rupert Neve and Rupert's wife Evelyn.
Go to interview page
Malcolm Harper owner of Reelsound Recording
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Malcolm Harper owner of Reelsound Recording was interviewed by Chris and Martin Theophilus, Phantom Productions, Inc. for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. In addition to Malcolm's great stories about his company, video inserts from one of his Austin on-location jobs shows some of the work involved in completing on-location sound recording productions.
Go to interview page
Alan Fishel - Concertone - Sony Superscope - Teac - Lear - Craig
On September 9, 2021, Alan Fishel, who worked for Concertone and other significant audio recorder equipment manufacturers beginning in 1962, shared stories with MOMSR about his work history.
"Here is a little information from my memory that I hope you will be able to use. Feel free to ask for any additional information I may be able to help you with." Alan Fishel
Here's more information from Alan in our Stories section.
Alan went on to work with Teac, Sony Superscope, Lear Jet and Craig Electronics.
On September 21, 2021 Alan agreed to a telephone interview with MOMSR's Martin Theophilus. Photos have been added to the audio recording providing some perspective to Alan's narrative. Here is a link to the full interview.
Go to interview page
Ed Helvey "the Professional Nomad"
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
The Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording interviewed Ed Helvey "theProfessional Nomad" to recognize recording engineers/producers, who work behind the scenes, in live performance and recording.
Go to interview page
Rick McRae - George Strait's Guitarist
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
The Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording interviewed Rick McRae to recognize musicians who work, often behind the scenes, in performance and recording.
Chris and Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.) interviewed Rick McRae, George Strait's guitar player for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. Please view the video below
Go to interview page
Joel Block - The Block House Studios
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Chris and Martin Theophilus (Phantom Productions, Inc.) interviewed Joel Block at The Block House Studios for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording.
Joel's experience adds another dimension to the Museum's capturing of magnetic audio recording. His experience comes from radio and in the area of commercials, audio books, industrials, jingles and spoken word projects. We believe you will find the information about Joel's dad, Martin Block, to be fascinating as well. We hope you enjoy this MOMSR interview with Joel Block.
Go to interview page
Jerry and Nick, Terra Nova Studios interview
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas' Terra Nova Mastering Studios, Jerry Tubb, CEO and Nick Landis, Senior Mastering Engineer were interviewed by Chris & Martin Theophilus of Phantom Productions, Inc. for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. Jerry and his wife Diane established one of the first digital mastering studios in Austin in 1990. They have mastered projects for clients including: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Ray Benson, and many more.
Jerry and Nick share how they ended up in audio recording and what's involved in mastering services.
Go to interview page
Phil Van Praag is the author of the "The Evolution of the Audio Recorder"
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Phil Van Praag is the author of the wonderful documentation of magnetic tape recorders in his book "The Evolution of the Audio Recorder." Having worked for Ampex as a Senior Instructor in Redwood City, California and as the information technology for another company, Phil has extensive knowledge of the development of both audio and video technology. Phil published a book about the beginnings of sound recording and presents an excellent description of recorders that were significant from the late '40's through the '70's. The interview was produced by Chris & Martin Theophilus for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording.
View Phil Van Praag's interview
Tom Vernon MOMSR interview for Telos eNews
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Tom Vernon recently toured our Museum as part of a story he's writing on vintage equipment. He agreed to sit down for an interview.
More about Tom from the Telos web site: Tom Vernon's interest in electronics began in high school, when he joined an Explorer Post at a crystal plant in Carlisle, PA. He has worked in broadcasting for over 30 years, and is perhaps best known for his many articles in Radio World. Starting in 1983, Tom has written product reviews, features, how-to, and countless NAB articles. He was employed for a few years in the manufacturing end of the business, working as a wiring technician and customer service representative at Audio Accessories in Keene NH. Over the years he has performed engineering duties at a number of stations, including WNEV-TV, WBUR and Kiss-108 in Boston, as well as WXPN in Philadelphia. His hobbies include gardening, collecting vintage broadcast gear and vintage vinyl (over 3,000 albums and counting!), cardstock modeling and restoring his 19th-centurty house. Most recently, Tom has been taking flying lessons in a Piper Cherokee, and expects to soon have his private pilots license.
Go To Tom Vernon's interview
MOMSR Interview with Paul Stubblebine - The Tape Project
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
On October 31, 2014 Paul Stubblebine and his wife Connie with a couple of friends toured our vintage recording collection. Paul sat down for an interview about his history for the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording. Paul is the owner of Paul Stubblebine Mastering and the founder of "The Tape Project."
Paul began his mastering career in San Francisco in 1973. For eleven years he worked at a recording and mastering facility on Folsom Street which, originally owned by CBS, was later bought by David Rubinson and became known as The Automatt. During the CBS period, in addition to the CBS catalog, the studio also brought in outside work from the Record Plant and Wally Heider's including records by The Grateful Dead, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, Sly Stone, Santana, Joan Baez, Bill Evans, Tony Bennett and Jane Fonda's phenomenally successful workout record engineered by Leslie Ann Jones. This is also where the mastering was done for the US releases of Rough Trade and Factory Records including Joy Division, and New Order. During this period, records mastered at the Automatt were on the charts continuously. Paul then went on to become chief engineer at Rocket Lab, also in San Francisco, where he worked until starting his own company, Paul Stubblebine Mastering, in 1997.
Go to interview
MOMSR phone interview with Eugene Leon Mleczko ELM Laboratories
Eugene Leon Mleczko ELM Laboratories - "This unit is a one of a kind, it is more than a "home brew" but the company never went in to full production. The founder of ELM Laboratories is a personal friend of my, I believe he is 94 years old. This was a pride and joy of thousands of hours of work and research. He was in the broadcast industry but was not happy with any units available at the time, so he set-out to build a unit that would out perform Ampex Corp. which he claims his has better specs. He has a some run of all custom made parts as spares and/or first run of units. The founder would love to tell you about it, he has an incredible memory, much better than mine." - David Wulf, Best Sound Co. Saint Louis, MO
We referred by David Wulf to a 94 year old engineer Eugene Leon Mleczko in Ballwin, MO. Eugene agreed to a phone interview about his life. In the early 1950's he built a reel tape recorder based on the German Magnetophon. It took him 2 years to build and the machine's specs exceeded those of the first Ampex. He intended to sell them for $2,000. However by the time the prototype was ready Ampex had already cornered the market. He also had gone to work for the US defense industry working on telemetry recorders dealing with rocket fuels.
An interesting aside is that he worked some projects with Ampex's founder Alexander M. Poniatoff. He never told Alex about his recorder. However, he did design an automated irrigation system for Alex's farm.
While in the US Navy, Eugene attended the University of Texas in Austin, Texas and participated in the UT Curtain Club. (photo on the left)
Go to interview
Jim Cartwright's live jazz performance recording to cylinder
Video produced by Phantom Productions, Inc.
Jim Cartwright held his annual party celebrating Thomas Edison's birthday (168th) by recording a group of Austin musicians on a cylinder recorder
Videotaped for MOMSR by PPI
Jim has an extensive acoustic collection in his Austin, Texas home.
See also Audio Engineering Society historical interviews • Grammy Living Histories
Thank you for viewing our site! We hope you have found our information helpful and interesting. We are committed and passionate about preserving the history of recording. Please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps us protect and preserve these significant vintage recording devices and information.