Overview

Ampex delivers an eight-track recorder to Les Paul and Mary Ford.

Full Description

February 1957: Ampex delivers an eight-track recorder to Les Paul and Mary Ford.

February General

Overview

Connoisseur stereo discs (records) are heard at the London Audio Fair.

Full Description

April 12 - 16, 1957: Connoisseur stereo discs (records) are heard at the London Audio Fair. Are these the first records to appear in stereo? If that is the case, stereo had been available on tape for three years.

April R-R Machine

Overview

Stereo Tape One-Stop in Palisades Park, NJ, issues a 48-page catalog with 350 titles.

Full Description

May 1, 1957, Stereo Tape One-Stop in Palisades Park, NJ, issues a 48-page catalog with 350 titles.

May R-R Machine

Overview

Stereophony Incorporated issues stereo tapes.

Full Description

May 1957: Stereophony Incorporated issues stereo tapes.

May R-R Tape

Overview

Klipschtape offers 15 IPS tapes. John Fargle, manager of the Klipschtape division, announces they will make available six stereo releases at 15

Full Description

June 1957: Klipschtape offers 15 IPS tapes. John Fargle, manager of the Klipschtape division, announces they will make available six stereo releases at 15 IPS. Each copy is made directly from the master tape at original speed. The first release is Flem Ferguson and his Dixieland Jazz volume 1

June R-R Tape

Overview

Sonotape releases a stereophonic alignment tape.

Full Description

June 1957: Sonotape releases a stereophonic alignment tape.

June R-R Tape

Overview

Urania releases stereo tapes.

Full Description

June 1957: Urania releases stereo tapes.

June R-R Tape

Overview

Phonotapes, located in NYC, releases 3 stereo tapes.

Full Description

July 1957: Phonotapes, located in NYC, releases 3 stereo tapes.
7 1/2 IPS, stacked or staggered.

July R-R Tape

Overview

Mercury releases a sampler and twelve stereo tapes, priced at $12.95.

Full Description

July 1957: Mercury releases a sampler and twelve stereo tapes, priced at $12.95.
Angel announces they will enter the market shortly.
As of this time RCA has 44 tapes in the catalogue with plans to have 100 by the end of the year.

July R-R Tape

Overview

Capitol releases 13 stereo tapes, Inline 7 1/2 IPS.

Full Description

July 20, 1957: Capitol releases 13 stereo tapes, Inline 7 1/2 IPS.
Prices are as follows- ZA $9.95, ZC $11.95, ZD $12.95, ZF $14.95 & ZH $16.95

July R-R Machine R-R Tape General

Overview

Vanguard based in New York City, releases nine 1/2 track stereo tapes for stacked or staggered heads, priced between $11.95 and $14.95.

Full Description

August 1957 - Vanguard based in New York City, releases nine 1/2 track stereo tapes for stacked or staggered heads, priced between $11.95 and $14.95.

August R-R Tape

Overview

Blue Note releases two stereo tapes, Art Blakey - ORGY IN RHYTHM: BNST 101 and 102, produced by Rudy Van Gelder.

Full Description

August 1957: Blue Note releases two stereo tapes, Art Blakey - ORGY IN RHYTHM: BNST 101 and 102, produced by Rudy Van Gelder.

August R-R Tape

Overview

Stereophonic rental library of Chicago offers tapes for $1.65 For 30 day rental. Perhaps they became the source for Cal Western

Full Description

September 1957- Stereophonic rental library of Chicago offers tapes for $1.65 For 30 day rental. Perhaps they became the source for Cal Western repackaged tapes?

September R-R Machine R-R Tape

Overview

Audio Fidelity in NYC, releases 5 stereo tapes at $12.95 stacked or staggered.

Full Description

September 1957 - Audio Fidelity in NYC, releases 5 stereo tapes at $12.95 stacked or staggered.

September R-R Machine R-R Tape

Overview

Contemporary in Los Angeles releases 6 jazz stereo tapes, CT 1-6 Shelley Manne CT-1, Barney Kessel CT-2, Curtis Counce CT-3, Shelley

Full Description

September 1957 - Contemporary in Los Angeles releases 6 jazz stereo tapes, CT 1-6
Shelley Manne CT-1, Barney Kessel CT-2, Curtis Counce CT-3, Shelley Manne, Andre Previn and Leroy Vinegar CT-4, Howard Rumsey CT-5 & Art Pepper meets the rhythm section CT-6

September R-R Tape

Overview

Concertapes in Winnetka, IL, release first stereo tapes.

Full Description

October 1957 Concertapes in Winnetka, IL, release first stereo tapes.

October R-R Tape

Overview

Columbia releases ten stereo tapes.

Full Description

October 17, 1957 - Columbia releases ten stereo tapes.
Columbia suggests that these tapes are a byproduct of lengthy experimentation and research. The stereo offers a unique aural perspective, reproducing the complete sound spectrum. Whereas conventional stereo recording has tended to reproduce a distinct right and left sound effect, Columbia has added a 3rd or centre position as well, that permits the listener to follow individual instruments and pick out inner voices in the music. All Columbia tapes are made in accordance with NARB standards, 7 1/2 IPS stacked or in-line. Legibly printed leader strips list the title and artist at both the beginning and end of each tape to avoid confusion in rewinding.

October R-R Machine R-R Tape General

Overview

Stere-O-Craft releases 8 stereo tapes , TN 100-107. Primarily jazz and one blues tape.

Full Description

November 1957 - Stere-O-Craft releases 8 stereo tapes , TN 100-107. Primarily jazz and one blues tape.

November R-R Tape

Overview

Stereo music on tape had reached its highest level of popularity among audiophiles.

Full Description

End of 1957 - Stereo music on tape had reached its highest level of popularity among audiophiles. The last three months alone had seen the release of 300 new tapes. Major labels such as RCA, Capitol, Columbia and Mercury were in the game and the December edition of the Stereo Tape Catalog offered 656 titles. There were 65 different tape decks available for playback and recording from such companies as Ampex, Bell Sound, Concertone, EMC, Magnecord, Pentron, RCA, Symphonic, Viking, VM and Webcor.

December R-R Tape