For our recording geek peers

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For the recording geeks among us :

The new Sept/Oct 2007 issue of Tape Op has feature on Bob Paquette Sr.’s Microphone Museum, located right here in Milwaukee (that’s right - it ain’t just Les Paul and Liberace… heh).

Paquette’s 840 page compendium on microphone history is as complete a guide as exists, so if you’re into the kinky stuff like pre-60s tube mics, ribbon element technology, and RIAA curves, be sure to check it out.

There’s more gear porn and info at their site.

Having had the privilege of being inside the sonic sanctuary at Select Sound Service, I can attest to the level of detail (nay, anal retention) and commitment to thoroughness and quality. Paquette sums up his attitude in the Tape Op article :

A famous concert pianist… [Ignace Jan Paderewski] said, “If I miss one day of practice, I notice it. If I miss two days, the critics notice it. If I miss three days, the audience knows it.” There’s the problem I have with [some] of the people I hire. They think that once they finish [a project] they’re done [learning]. They don’t even read the magazines or try to keep up. You’ve got to stay ahead.

An inspiration, certainly, and advice we apply every day at Burst. Our musical obssessions and voracious appetite for production ideas and recording knowledge drive us week in and week out while writing, playing and producing new tracks for our production music catalog.

For more on the ‘recording geekery’ tip (a term we use quite affectionately) :

If you haven’t seen Les Paul : Chasing Sound yet, find it and savor it. Tivo it. Netflix it.

Here’s Stevie Wonder performing Superstition live in the studio… 1973.

Here’s Rick Rubin in studio with Jay-Z making ‘99 Problems’. Rick’s been in the news lately, you know. Check it.

Here’s a documentary on Steve Albini… but don’t call him a producer.

And here’s a list of the Top Ten Recording “Mistakes” found on commercially released records. [dh]