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The Recording Academy® Memphis Chapter event explores the resurgence of vinyl. Pictured L to R: Standing: Memphis Chapter incoming President Susan Marshall, Masterdisk's Scott Hull, Ardent Studios owner John Fry, mastering engineer/vinyl cutter Larry Nix, P&E Wing Sr. Executive Director Maureen Droney and Memphis Chapter Sr. Executive Director Jon Hornyak. Seated: Furnace Mastering president/CEO Eric Astor and engineer/producer Jeff Powell. Photo by Greg Campbell. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011.


At The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® Memphis Chapter event, Ardent Studios owner John Fry and engineer/producer Jeff Powell demonstrate L. Nix Mastering’s lacquer disc cutting lathe. Photo by Greg Campbell. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011.


Ardent Studios owner John Fry demonstrates a lacquer disc cutting lathe at L. Nix Mastering during The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® Memphis Chapter event exploring the resurgence of vinyl. Photo by Greg Campbell. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011.









 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


THE RECORDING ACADEMY® MEMPHIS CHAPTER
AND THE PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING® PRESENT GRAMMY GPS: EXPLORING THE RESURGENCE OF VINYL


Industry Experts Celebrate Record Store Day at Ardent Studios With Seminar on the Art of Recording for Vinyl


SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 20, 2011) — On Saturday, April 16, 2011, experts in the field of creating vinyl recordings gathered in Memphis for a discussion and critical listening session designed to provide insight into the "lost" art of recording for vinyl. Moderated by Memphis-based engineer/producer and vinyl cutter Jeff Powell, the panel consisted of president/CEO of Furnace MFG (Furnace Record Pressing, Pallas USA, Record Industry USA) Eric Astor, producer/engineer and founder of Ardent Studios John Fry, Masterdisk NYC mastering engineer and vinyl cutter Scott Hull, and mastering engineer/vinyl cutter Larry Nix. Presenting sponsors of the event included Ardent Studios, GC Pro and Record Store Day.  

Vinyl is a resilient cult format that has been steadily showing growth for various reasons. Many music aficionados assert that the analog sound of vinyl releases is superior to digital formats. Artwork is also a factor. Artwork and liner notes for music sold or streamed online are not widely available and the tiny jewel cases that hold CDs provide an unsatisfactory experience compared to the 12X12-inch covers used for vinyl discs. The mystique of vinyl itself is a factor, encompassing a "cool" factor evangelized by such artist proponents as Dave Grohl, Radiohead, the Strokes and Jack White.

The act of getting a master recording to a vinyl disc is a delicate and complicated process that few today are familiar with. This GRAMMY GPS event utilized the experience and expertise of its panelists to demystify the process — from how to optimize mixing and mastering for this classic format — to the challenges of cutting the all-important lacquer discs that must be delivered to a vinyl pressing plant, — to tips and tricks on how to work with disc manufacturers. All the panelists agreed that best practices in recording are required in order to assure a finished vinyl product that fulfills the intention of a musical artist's vision.

"There are only a few people these days who really understand how to create great vinyl records," said Maureen Droney, Producers & Engineers Wing Sr. Executive Director. "We were extremely excited to be able to assemble this knowledgeable group, which encompasses some of the best in the business. Their combined skill and experience generated a great discussion and an insightful listening session — and their obvious passion for the vinyl art form was totally infectious. All in all, it was a terrific way to celebrate Record Store Day."

Planning is key. For example, Hull pointed out, "Duration is important. Twenty to 22 minutes of music per side is all that you can get onto a vinyl LP without reducing volume level of the music."

Lacquer cutting lathes have been out of production since the mid 1980s, and Powell shared anecdotes about the challenges related to operating such vintage machinery, stating, "There's no 'undo' button. There's only one groove on a record. If you make a mistake, you've blown a lacquer and have to start over. Cutting vinyl is definitely a physically demanding process."

Astor offered invaluable hints about how to work with manufacturers to keep quality up and costs down, and, although he shared a wealth of technical knowledge he also allowed that "After 25 years I still have to say it is a magical and amazing process."

 

Photo File 1: PE_MemphisVinylEvent_Photo1.JPG
Photo Caption 1: The Recording Academy® Memphis Chapter event explores the resurgence of vinyl. Pictured L to R: Standing: Memphis Chapter incoming President Susan Marshall, Masterdisk's Scott Hull, Ardent Studios owner John Fry, mastering engineer/vinyl cutter Larry Nix, P&E Wing Sr. Executive Director Maureen Droney and Memphis Chapter Sr. Executive Director Jon Hornyak. Seated: Furnace Mastering president/CEO Eric Astor and engineer/producer Jeff Powell. Photo by Greg Campbell. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011.

Photo File 2: PE_ MemphisVinylEvent_Photo2.JPG
Photo Caption 2: At The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® Memphis Chapter event, Ardent Studios owner John Fry and engineer/producer Jeff Powell demonstrate L. Nix Mastering’s lacquer disc cutting lathe. Photo by Greg Campbell. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011.

Photo File 3: PE_ MemphisVinylEvent_Photo3.JPG
Photo Caption 3: Ardent Studios owner John Fry demonstrates a lacquer disc cutting lathe at L. Nix Mastering during The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® Memphis Chapter event exploring the resurgence of vinyl. Photo by Greg Campbell. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011.

 

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, and aYouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

Currently more than 6,000 professionals comprise The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing, which was established for producers, engineers, remixers, manufacturers, technologists, and other related creative and technical professionals in the recording field. This organized voice for the recording community addresses issues that affect the craft of recorded music, including the development and implementation of new technologies, technical guidelines and recommendations, and archiving and preservation initiatives. For more information, please visit www.producersandengineers.com.

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