Audio Lab Inc.

Okihiko Sugano 1932-2018, Japanese sound engineer, producer and audio critic, established the Japan Audio Laboratory record label in 1969 which was renamed AudioLab in 1971. Sugano is primarily known for his work in sound engineering, but also worked for many years of  as an editor of audio magazines, mostly for “Stereo Sound”. Stereo Sound also released various albums by Sugano. From 1990-2021 Stereo Sound produced a series called Stereo Sound Reference Record (on CD) that included compilations of what Sugano felt were the best examples of classical recordings from Deutsche Grammophon and London. In 2010 SACD’s & CD’s transitioned to Glass CD’s with a 2012 Bach/ Glenn Gould/ Goldberg Variations SGCD02 (TDCD91228)
By 2015 the releases were done on 180g Vinyl.

He also worked for Asahi Sonorama before going freelance and founding Audio Lab. The recordings he made between 1970 and 1981 for Japan Victor and Trio Records are still considered examples of great sound engineering.

AudioLab Records were made using two types of tape recorders. Up until 1975 the Ampex AG-440 B  and in 1976, the Scully 280-2. The music was recorded directly to a  stereo master tape, skipping one tape generation of mixing.  This is a challenging recording method that reveals all and requires special skills from the person who mixes signal from microphones. Neumann microphones were often used at studios but Mr. Sugano preferred the Altec M50.  They may been the first company to produce audiophile grade reel to reel tapes at 15ips in the early 1970s which sold for ¥15,000

In 1976 Keith Jarrett did an 8 concert tour in Japan of which 5 concerts that were recorded by Sugano and ECM producer Manfred Eicher, who travelled through Japan with Jarrett. ECM released the Sun Bear Concerts in 1978.

Explore Recordings of Okihiko Sugano