Location: The New School for Jazz Performance, 55 West 13 St, 5th floor
Moderated by: Robert Auld (AuldWorks)
Speaker(s): Scott Hull (MasterDisk), Paul Gold (Salt Mastering), Kevin Boutote (formerly Vanguard Records)
After the introduction of the Digital Compact Disk in 1983, it was only a matter of time until the vinyl LP would be obsolete, a relic of the past like 78's and open reel tapes. That was what everyone thought. Indeed, by the mid-1990's, the major record labels had stopped issuing albums as LPs. Twelve-inch singles hung on because DJs wanted them for "scratching", but the vinyl album was dead—or so it seemed.
But after the turn of the century, something surprising happened: some artists decided to issue their albums as vinyl LPs as well as CDs. At first it just seemed like a "niche" thing, but then, sales actually started to increase. We now find ourselves in an age where, as CD sales and file downloads are dropping off, vinyl album sales are going up, to the point where existing pressing plants are having trouble keeping up with the demand.
The reasons for this resurgence can be debated, but it is undeniable that there is now a generation of audio engineers and producers for whom the vinyl LP is something new. It is time for a new look at the strengths and limitations of this venerable audio format. To that end, we have invited an expert panel to share their experience and knowledge about the making of LPs.
Scott Hull: A 28-year veteran mastering engineer and the owner of Masterdisk studios in NYC, Scott started his career in 1983 and has mastered hit records and classic albums in every genre, as well as many Grammy winning titles. Scott is consistently listed in the top 10 of the Top 100 Professionals list at albumcredits.com.
Paul Gold: Paul learned his way around the record cutting lathe by working with the late Al Grundy, who knew everything there was to know about how to operate, build and refurbish record lathes and cutter heads. Paul has since founded Salt Mastering and has become one of the go-to guys for vinyl disk cutting on his Neumann VMS-66 lathe.
Kevin Boutote: Kevin is currently chief audio engineer at the Manhattan School of Music. From 1977 to 1980 he was in charge of quality control for vinyl at Vanguard Records. From 1987 to 1995, Kevin was on staff at CBS Records(Masterworks)/Sony Classical/Sony Music, engineering many front-line classical projects, and mastering reissues for CD, including the MasterSound gold CD series, beginning in 1993. He will fill us in about what is involved with plating and pressing vinyl records, and related manufacturing issues.
Posted: Monday, October 6, 2014
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