"FBI" (RE-WORKED)

[Gary Allen]

Hi Steve,I would imagine the desk had 4 channels that could be dubbed down to one track if needed presuming they were only using 2 track. I think they called it multimixing back then, I read somewhere that Abbey Rd (EMI Studios) had studer 4 track machines in 1959 but The Beatles didnt use them till 1963, Im sure someone here will definitely know. regards Gary

[Phil.c]

Abbey Road had two EMI four tracks machines in 1959, one was kept for testing but the other one was sent back. They also had Telefunken T9u in 1960 which had passed all the tests and was used in sessions.
The studer J37 was not in the studio until 1965 where it replaced the T9u.

Most of the recording was done on BTR4 (Stereo) and prior to that BTR3 ( two separate tracks, not stereo) the music on machine 1 was played back and a live vocal or instrument added and recorded to machine two. It was called tape to tape transfer.

[roger bayliss]

I do not think overdubbing happened until the 4 track tape system came along and then they would mix onto another tape reel to free up a few tracks for overdubbing.

[Phil.c]

Roger, overdubbing or tape to tape transfer was done with the two track machines.

A great book to get but you will need a forklift truck to lift it is "Recording the Beatles", it's about two inches thick and goes right through Abbey Road, check it out

Phil

[roger bayliss]

I actually stand corrected yes it was done with the two track recorders and I should have known that. Les Paul I recall had a special tape recorder commisioned in mid 50's with 8 tracks on a 1 inch wide tape and he of course pioneered the multitrack approach. Sorry I got it wrong !

[Phil.c]

I remember Les Paul doing a live tv show where he had this little box strapped to his belt, he played something on his guitar, re-wound the tape played again, he did this many times, in the end he had about eight guitars or more, his own invention!

Here's the link to the book, well worth the money and it was the writers who did the talk when I visited Abbey Road.

http://www.recordingthebeatles.com/

Phil

[Detailed Infinity]

Can anyone explain how there were overdubs when Abbey Road didn't get a four-track recorder until 1963?

By punching in.

As a remix specialist of many years I think the ducking/returning is not noticable and you've done a marvelous mix. Many of you oldtimers will remember my time at Mastermix and the Jive Bunny mixes.

Good work buddy

Bri

[Phil.c]

Thanks Bri.