Drake-Chenault Radio Automation on the BDR Lunch Gathering
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Hank Landsberg discusses how the legendary Drake-Chenault company put together multiple popular formats of pre-recorded music, as American stations moved to automation.
Even if those Ampex or ITC decks were actually maintained, they couldn’t start within .1 seconds that was needed for a very tight “Drake approved” segue without audible “wow-in”. The 1 second pre-roll made it easy to get tight and stable sequester from even poorly maintained tape decks! And the new studios were done by “Stuck with Norton”! The rosewood Formica color was chosen to match the MCI tape machine cabinets that we brought from Pacific Recorders.
I am surprised that I built a timing unit to record and start a turntable on our reels locally and get the timing right. I had NO IDEA that Drake-Chenault had that. Mine didn't have the audio muting, but otherwise it made life easier and kept our SMC automation really tight.
Even if those Ampex or ITC decks were actually maintained, they couldn’t start within .1 seconds that was needed for a very tight “Drake approved” segue without audible “wow-in”. The 1 second pre-roll made it easy to get tight and stable sequester from even poorly maintained tape decks! And the new studios were done by “Stuck with Norton”! The rosewood Formica color was chosen to match the MCI tape machine cabinets that we brought from Pacific Recorders. (Seque, not “sequester”.(!).
I wonder if Stuck with Norton built the first portable DJ stand/carts for Sound Unlimited Systems of North Hollywood in the early 1970s. They too were in Rosewood styled laminate.
Thank you Hank for sharing your perspectives on reel tapes. I thoroughly enjoyed the video and hope to see more of you on this channel. I have collected Drake Chenault reels, and I must say they are in good quality even in 2021.
I'm glad you enjoyed our trip down "analog memory lane"! And enjoy those DC tapes...
Thanks Hank. I have the Burwins, MCI decks, Cue automation boxes with the turning thumb wheels, black automation start stop controllers, UREIs, Fidelipac tone generators, Technics Duplication system with lots of razor blade scratchs, lots of wiring with patch panels. The cabinets didn't hold up well made of particle board covered with simulated wood grain finish. I saved them from the dumpsters in the 90's and been sitting on them since. Great to know how you used these now.
I believe we had the Drake-Chenault automation format and hardware at WGCL Cleveland. When I worked there in 1985, there were still pieces in racks in the newsroom.
Hank must not have heard of reel to reel machines made by ITC or Ampex that had no problem starting at speed.
Early on... many FM stations were classical.