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How to make record albums

I have read many threads regarding the quality of current production records and, well I was wondering how one goes about making records the "right way". I mean, using the same mics, mastering equipment cutting, etc. they did in the GOLDEN AGE OF STEREO. I am talking about a totally analog process. How does one find the equipment that was used years ago to make the records. How do you get the vinyl that is of the highest quality? How do you attain the classic recordings? How do the Japanese do it and everyone else cannot? Do you need 180 or 200 gram vinyl? The older medium weight vinyl sounds great to me. I think everybody wants this, well how do ya make it happen? I'm in. When there's a will, there's a way. I looked online but could not find much.
tzh21y
2k95aero
13 posts
 
Here is a great book that may help all of us audiophools appreciate what goes into a great-sounding LP (or 45!):

http://www.amazon.com/Studio-Stories-Great-Records-Softcover/dp/0879308176

An interesting and fun read...highly recommended.
2k95aero
13 posts
 
OOPS! No linked adverts allowed I suppose!

The title of the book is:

Studio Stories - How The Great New York Records Were Made
samujohn's avatar
samujohn
291 posts
 
"I've dealt with orchestra leaders who wanted me to use more mics and signal processing"

You are so right! Knowledge of live performances, and knowledge of recordings are unrelated. Many musicians do not "hear" the recording, they only reference the memory of the performance, and often they do that from the peculiar prospective of their position in the group. No recording can, or should, sound like the prospective from the stage.
hifihvn
943 posts
 
Twenty Four track recorders with two ears,and two speakers.Sounds like it may not add up.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,441 posts
 
I've dealt with orchestra leaders who wanted me to use more mics and signal processing
In the recording process you want to be as simple as necessary, not as simple as possible. What's necessary varies based upon the goal of the recording, the skill of the players and recordists, the instruments being recorded, the acoustics of the venue and the type of recording equipment used. Making the recording process overly complex has its obvious problems, but over simplifying the process also has its pitfalls. Walking into a session with narrow, preconceived notions of what is appropriate can severely limit the quality of the resulting recording.
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