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Overview
A-V Tape Libraries release the first two commercial binaural tapes
Full Description
A-V Tape Libraries release the first two commercial binaural tapes as part of their Concert Classics series. Tape Recording finally reviews the binaural version in June 1956.
Overview
A-V Tape Libraries release the first two commercial binaural tapes as part of their Concert Classics series.
Full Description
March 1954: A-V Tape Libraries release the first two commercial binaural tapes as part of their Concert Classics series.
March
R-R Tape
Overview
The Livingston Electronic Corp. announces their new tape label, Audiosphere, Inc.
Full Description
March 1954: The Livingston Electronic Corp. announces their new tape label, Audiosphere, Inc.
March
R-R Tape
Overview
RCA Victor is the first major label to issue pre-recorded tapes.
Full Description
June 6, 1954: RCA Victor is the first major label to issue pre-recorded tapes. They release sixteen mono tapes but their binaural release of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is delayed until September due to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's exclusive contract with Mercury Records.
June
R-R Tape
Overview
RCA Victor introduces a 2 track stereo recorder, model RT-11, with in-line or stacked heads.
Full Description
RCA Victor introduces a 2 track stereo recorder, model RT-11, with in-line or stacked heads. These were used to record Also Sprach Zarathustra performed by the Chicago Symphony orchestra, Fritz Reiner
June
R-R Tape
Overview
We thought RCA Victor's announcement would, so to speak, unplug the dike and that there would be a story.
Full Description
July 1954 as the editors see it (publication unknown)
We thought RCA Victor's announcement would, so to speak, unplug the dike and that there would be a story. We wrote to everyone likely to be concerned, and we received answers, but there seems to be no story. Nearly all the answers fell into the neutral to negative category. Of the other established recording companies, few seem to be ready to take to tape although many are thinking about it. Most appear to feel that after RCA Victor has investigated the field, there will still be time enough to decide whether to get in or stay out. In a sense this is odd, heretofore exist in the smaller companies that have ventured first, the giants that have entered the field later. In this instance the reversal of form may derive from massive sales research. Last year RCA Victor ordered, bought and put on sale a large number of home type tape recorders, not very impressive ones as it happens. Apparently the experience convinced the company that there was an adequate market for pre-recorded tape. But no one else has seen fit to go along, which may have something to do with the widespread rumour that certain portions of the huge RCA operation, classical records for instance, are allowed to operate at a loss, as prestige builders. No one else can afford this kind of tactic.
Columbia says it is watching developments with keen interest. So does Decca. Mercury says nothing. MGM offers no comment, and just those words. Capital phrases it differently. London points out that it is fully cognizant of current developments, including binaural recording, but is bidding it's time. Westminster has held conferences on on the subject in regards to question as one of when, rather than if. The Haydn Society has virtually decided to get in, but has not decided when nor with what releases, it has been conducting a survey of its own. Dario Soria, president of Angel records, thinks there are important improvements yet to be made in home tape recorders, easy loading devices and the like. He is also inclined to think that current discs are better than 7 1/2 tape would be. Of the same opinion are Peter Fritsch, Peter Bartok of Bartok records and Emory Cook. The letter likening the tape problem to a lion saith " we shall be meek and enter the cage after the first route alarming and traumatic experiences have grown dim in the memory of living audio" an eloquent gentleman, Mr. Cook with a head highly unlikely to be bitten off. Meanwhile Mr. Paul Jansen, sales manager for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., leading tape makers, points at the tape copying machinery is now at least as fast and much cheaper than disk pressing machinery.. This has profound meaning to all the minor record makers who suffered last February from the price cutting war among the big disk companies, who also do most of the job pressing for small companies, and who didn't lower their custom pressing fees when they lowered the prices of their own LPs. Had the small companies jointly owned a tape duplicating co-op they wouldn't of been caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
July
R-R Tape
Overview
Audiosphere (Livingston) releases a "Bi-Fi" playback only machine to help move the stereo industry forward .
Full Description
October 1954: Audiosphere (Livingston) releases a "Bi-Fi" playback only machine to help move the stereo industry forward .
October
R-R Tape
Overview
Livingston plans to tape and release material for five independent record companies, Atlantic Records, Empirical, Esoteric, Oceanic and
Full Description
November 1954 Livingston plans to tape and release material for five independent record companies, Atlantic Records, Empirical, Esoteric, Oceanic and Riverside. Dave Jones of Empirical reports that all his sessions are being done in stereo, in anticipation of heavy tape demands.
November
R-R Tape
Overview
Webcor/Concertapes & Audiosphere distribute their first binaural (stereo) catalogues.
Full Description
December 1954 Webcor/Concertapes & Audiosphere distribute their first binaural (stereo) catalogues.
December
R-R Tape
Overview
The first commercial 2-track stereo ? tapes are released.
Full Description
The first commercial 2-track stereo ? tapes are released.
R-R Machine