Category Archives: History

Prepare For A Journey Thru Time And Space (*special soldering-iron edition)

How are y’all doin.  Sorry I’ve been away for so long; it’s been real busy ’round here, and like my Pops always says, you gotta make hay while the sun shines.  But… there’s only so farming you can do without … Continue reading

Posted in History, Technical | 3 Comments

Cinema Sound Circa 1953

Today: some random bits+bobs of Sound-For-Film technology of the early 1950s.  Above: the All-New JBL Theatre Sound Systems, which claim to offer the higher-fidelity needed to properly reproduce the newly-available magnetic soundtracks that were being used in 35mm film at … Continue reading

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My girl is cool. She digs the old records.

A mere 10 years after Bridgeport-based Columbia Records introduced the LP record, we see evidence that record collecting was already a well-entrenched hobby/sport/folly.  At left is the cover of “Record Research” Vol . 2, No, 6, Issue 18, dated July … Continue reading

Posted in Connecticut Audio History, History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

1955: Japan Goes Hi-Fi

Download a three-page 1955 article entitled “Japan Goes Hi-Fi” as originally published in AUDIO magazine. DOWNLOAD: Japan_Goes_hifi_1955 The article concerns an early Hi-Fi show in Tokyo.  Postwar Japan had sufficiently moved beyond the subsistence level to indulge in luxury-leisure pursuits; … Continue reading

Posted in Antique Hi-Fi Archive, History | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ham Radio, Vernacular Graphics, and Silent Keys

(image source) Have you ever been driving around and noticed one of these huge metal antennae towers erected beside a home? (image source) These are Ham Radio towers.  ‘Ham Radio’ is non-commercial, amateur radio-broadcasting activity which has carried on for … Continue reading

Posted in History, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Magnecord INC Historical Archival Material Part 1

From the personal collection of D. Boyers, son of Magnecord founding partner John Boyers, PreservationSound is excited to be able to offer several rare documents and historical reminiscences.  The Magnecord PT6 was one of the very first broadcast-quality tape recorders … Continue reading

Posted in History, Magnecord | Tagged , | 32 Comments

Out-Of-Print-Book Report: History Of Music Machines (Smithsonian)

Came across this obscure volume in a rubbish bin several years ago.  Published by Drake Publishers in 1975 and billed as being ‘Prepared By The Smithsonian’ (No author attributed), “(The)History Of Music Machines” (hf. ‘HOMM’) is a b&w hardcover gift/coffee-table … Continue reading

Posted in Early Electronic Music, History, Publications | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Early Electronic Music Technology: Part One

From the back-pages of the AES Journal in 1965: Moog is a legendary name in the world of music.  As far as manufacturers/innovators of musical/audio equipment go, Robert Moog is a close to a household name as anyone I can … Continue reading

Posted in Early Electronic Music, History, Synthesizers | 8 Comments

Modern Recording And Music Part 2

So.  5 years later.  1981.  How had ‘home-recording’ coverage changed?  The range of products had increased, certainly.  There is still a focus here on consumer and prosumer tape decks and tape stock, vague ‘reader-questions’ such as “what does a producer … Continue reading

Posted in History, Publications | 2 Comments

starting at the beginning

Decided to build a recording studio.  It won’t cost me a ton of bread. I heard that it’s important to have a private, personal space to ‘work out ideas’ etc. I’ve been reading up on where to stick the microphones.  … Continue reading

Posted in History, Publications | 1 Comment