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MOMSR has a new addition to our microphone collection. The Sony C37A and its C17B power supply. Saw this originally in 1964, however passed it up for the Shure 556s. The Sony C37A was $295 at the time. In its day, the microphone was favored by Frank Sinatra and other musicians.
From Performer magazine FLASHBACK: 1950s Sony C-37A Microphoneby Andrew Boullianne | Sep 19, 2017 | Best Studio Mics "Sony engineers created this microphone in the early 1950s. At first, it was used to record symphonies and quickly became a sought after vocal mic. Neumann’s studio microphones reportedly inspired the C-37a. HOW IT WAS USEDThe C-37a is a multi-pattern tube condenser microphone, first released in the U.S. in 1958. It was and still is used in many applications. Vocals were number one, but it sounds excellent on upright bass, horns, and strings. Some people even like to use it on banjo. INTERESTING FEATURESOne very interesting characteristic about this mic is its power supply. The early version of the C-37 boasted a CP-2 power supply. On the unit were three different settings: M1, M2, and V. M1 is a flat response, M2 is a roll off of 3dB at 85Hz, and V is a roll off of 3 dB at 220Hz. This can be very useful when tracking certain instruments. PROMINENT RECORDINGSThe Sony C-37a was used on many Frank Sinatra recordings. It was used for his vocals and for the string accompaniment. It was also used on James Bay’s vocals for the album Chaos And The Calm. LESSONS LEARNEDToday’s engineers can learn a lot about how to utilize tube microphones on modern-day recordings and also the use of different polar patterns. ABOUT THE AUTHORAndrew Boullianne is a studio manager and a full-time engineer. He loves long walks on the beach and creating music. Check out thelalamansion.com to see the studio that he works in. Thoughts 01/24/24 - So when I began analog recording professionally in 1964 (60 years ago) and created our vintage museum in 1998, I would not have imagined the rebirth in recent years. In December, an Akai Gx-635D sold on eBay for $3,700. There are over 1,800 active recorders for sale on eBay and more on Reverb. Prices for the most desirable keep rising. Facebook has 12+ Groups related to reel to reel tape recorders. See below 01/22/24 Robert Bass Reel-to-reel Enthusiasts now has 34K members. Then there are manufacturers out with "new" machines, mostly high end. - Martin
Ampex professional photos donated to MOMSR by David Bockholt • more at this link • Link to all photos pdf David Bockholt's dad Walter Bockholt worked at Ampex from 1958 to 1987. He passed in 1996.
Of note, I included a US PATENT invented by my father Walter Bockholt. It has to do with testing and controlling the distortion levels in magnetic recording. I do not know what some of the equipment in the stack of photos are, but some to have labels on the edge of the photo or you can make out the model number in the photo. My dad Walter on the far right above
Ampex Pro Photos donated to MOMSR by David Bockholt View David Bockholt's Ampex FR 600 demo produced by Ampex's Instrumentation Advertising Division. Originally on 16mm film, David graciously had it converted to digital and made available on YouTube. David also converted Ampex's 16mm "The Miracles of Magnetic Recording" and made it available at this link. This information is being reposted. In March 2021 Michael Arbuthnot, who worked at Ampex for 17 years, shared his Michael Arbuthnot generously shared a wonderful collection of Ampex documents he professionally scanned from Ampex catalogs and brochures for audio, video and data systems. We sincerely appreciate Michael's donation and hope folks enjoy this valuable resource! The files may be accessed at this link. The MOMSR Phantom Studio/Museum display updates are coming together!
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One of the 1962 newsletters from AMPEX in Redwood city where my dad worked listed Ken Patton as the company photographer. He would be the judge for employee photo contests.
incredible collection of Ampex scans with MOMSR. They were loaded to our server, however many folks were unable to access them. Thanks to an inquiry, I have now formatted menus enabling Michael's scans to be more accessible. Even though our site is primarily vintage audio, I have included Michael's extensive Ampex video document collection.
Here's a pdf of photos recently taken of the MOMSR collection August, 2020
"RESPECT" movie released August 13, 2021 in theaters
On January 5, 2020 the Ampex AG-440 reel to reel tape recorder from our collection arrived at Atlanta's Screen Gems Studio 6 to appear in Jennifer Hudson's movie, "RESPECT," about Aretha Franklin.
“Respect” titled after Franklin’s 1967 hit, stars Jennifer Hudson, who won a supporting actress Oscar for “Dreamgirls,” was personally selected for the role by Franklin before Franklin died in 2018 at the age of 76.
Franklin won 17 Grammys, starting with “Respect” in 1968 and “Chain of Fools” in 1969. The film, directed by Liesl Tommy, also stars Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin, Marlon Wayans as Ted White, Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington and Tituss Burgess as Rev. Dr. James Cleveland. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood. The movie was released in theaters on August 13, 2021 and is now available on Amazon Prime. Here's a "brief clip" about the recorder's "brief" uncredited appearance as the reel to reel tape recorder at Muscle Shoals recording studio.
MOMSR presents the Evolution of the Austin Community College Music Business, Performance and Technology program video link
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 (right)
MOMSR presents the Evolution of the Austin Community College Music Business, Performance and Technology program video link
After a two year gig on the third floor of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin Texas our Ampex 200A #33 is back home. View brief video
The 1948 reel tape recorder was on display with items from Asleep At The Wheel, Floyd Domino and George Strait.
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
As our collection evolved from the 1990's, a primary goal was to display the best possible examples of the recorders we retained.
Often this involves periodic upgrading by the purchase of a newer higher quality recorder (cosmetically and functionally). Some, including our Technics RS-1700, involved 6 different units, resulting in our "like new" RS-1700 with a perfect dust cover.
Our collection began with my wanting to purchase those tape recorders that I'd used over the years. The collection kept growing as I continued researching and documenting recorders I considered important to the development of artist performances. In 1978, on-location recording was upgraded to Teac, including the A-3340, A-3300 2T mastering, Model 2 mixer with the MB-20 meter bridge and a pair of
Teac ME-120 mics.
Over the years, the Teac A-3300 2T recorder was the elusive one. I went through 5 machines. Then late last year, I found what I considered to be very good working recorder. Our Teac display has been updated as I continue to work toward reopening our collection for tours post Covid.
SBE Society of Broadcast Engineers interview of Martin Theophilus MOMSR
What was new in 1947? The first reel to reel tape recorder ad in the US was the Brush Soundmirror in the October 11, 1947 issue of the Saturday Evening Post. Some more ads from that issue. more 1947 ads from this issue
Also new Ampex ads in our collection by year and Fairchild electronics profile added
Book resources updated & Wilcox-Gay Recordio expanded
Stereo consoles incorporating Ampex reel tape recorders - go to page
From Brian at Wooster Vintage Audio, here's a beautifully restored McIntosh console with an Ampex Fine Line F-44
Sony TC-510-2 half track reel tape recorder - restored • view video
Michael Arbuthnot who worked for Ampex for 17 years donated his scanned Ampex library
Michael Arbuthnot worked for Ampex for 17 years. He has generously shared a wonderful collection of Ampex documents he professionally scanned from Ampex catalogs and brochures for audio, video and data systems. We sincerely appreciate Michael's donation and hope folks enjoy this valuable resource! The files may be accessed at this link.
Alan Fishel interview
September 9, 2021 The following information was shared with us by Alan Fishel who worked for Concertone beginning in 1962.
"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
On September 21, 2021 Alan agreed to a telephone interview with MOMSR's Martin Theophilus. Photos have been added providing some perspective to Alan's narrative.
Here is a link to the full interview.
Lou Ottens, Inventor Of The Cassette Tape
Lou Ottens died Saturday, March 6, 2021 according to the Dutch news outlet NRC Handelsblad, which lists his age as 94. NPR more
Lou Ottens, who put music lovers around the world on a path toward playlists and mixtapes by leading the invention of the first cassette tape, has died at age 94, according to media reports in the Netherlands. Ottens was a talented and influential engineer at Philips, where he also helped develop consumer compact discs.
We are deeply sorry to learn of the passing of Rupert Neve! View more • MOMSR video at Blue Rock Studio
Wimberley, Texas, February 13, 2021 — Rupert Neve, an innovator and business owner whose analog audio equipment designs have become an essential component in music recording, live sound production and home hi-fi systems, died on February 12, 2021 in Wimberley, Texas, due to non-Covid pneumonia and heart failure. He was 94. More
MOMSR reel tape recorder maintenance exercise June 13, 2020 • Phantom Studio pan during MOMSR SBE interview prep
• Keeping it reel • Magnetic Recording Part 1 • Modern Recording's History of Recording part 2 to 6
• Reel-To-Reel Recorders – Is There A Resurgence • Mathmatics of Tape Recording (pdf)
• There's Music In the Air • Capturing sound during WW II • Updates to: EMI & MultiTrack
• A variety of magnetic recording formats • Historical Development of Magnetic Recording and Tape Recorder by Masanori Kimizuka
NEW Tape Recorder resources: Kosas Metaxas Recorders (pdf) • Ballfinger Germany • Refurbishing J Corder restyling recorders
• Larry DeVivo shared photos about the Presto studio he's created as well as Presto ads. View