The question of Columbia Records' adoption of new technologies came up here
recently. By coincidence, I came across a memoir of the development of LP by
Edward Wallerstein. According to this, the company had started recording to
33rpm 16" vinyl discs in the late 30s, which later helped them to create
quiet masters for LP. But, additionally, they were early into tape:
"Columbia also had an advantage in that we were the first people in the U.S.
to use tape for master recording. [Adrian] Murphy was one of the first to
see a German Magnetophon tape recorder in newly liberated Luxemburg after
the war. He quickly packed it up and shipped it back to CBS. Not long
thereafter both EMI and Ampex came out with machines, and we immediately
placed an order for both. By mid-1947, we were using them and had
discontinued direct disc cutting. The Ampex proved to be the better machine,
so we sent the EMI machines back. Of the originally issued LPs about 40%
were from tape originals."
Interesting essay, though how reliable I'm not sure. (For instance, how much
mag tape was available in mid-47? I think Mullin was still hording scraps of
BASF at that time.) It has probably appeared elsewhere, but I found it here:
http://www.musicinthemail.com/audiohistoryLP.html via
http://wallyheider.com/wordpress/
Carl Pultz
Alembic Productions
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