25

Technician observing the cutting of a record through a microscope
3 October 1948

26

Cutting records is a delicate operation that needs to be checked with a microscope.

27

Technician cutting a record
October, 1948
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Phonothèque québécoise collection

28

Webster Chicago wire recorder
1950
USA

29

Tape recorders first appeared before the Second World War, but were perfected during the war. Wire bobbins were used, as seen on this model, followed by magnetic tape. The ability to edit opened new horizons to sound engineers, artistic directors and musicians. Multi-track recording was the next development. First 3 tracks could be recorded, then more, rendering production more flexible. In the more subtle forms of acoustic music (classical, jazz), it was not unusual to feature sound on 2 or 4 tracks in order to retain the spontaneity of the musicians and the integrity and beauty of the ambient acoustic environment.

30

Webster Chicago wire recorder
1950
USA

31

Astatic brand microphone from the 1950s
1950
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

32

Recording turntable
1954
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Phonothèque québécoise collection

33

Portable device for listening to records
1953
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Credits:
Phonothèque québécoise collection

34

Jean-Pierre Ferland in studio
January, 1964
Boulogne, France

Credits:
Phonothèque québécoise collection

35

Access to studio time was significantly democratized. Digital recording made it possible to market more effective products at lower cost. It is possible today to produce a record at home. However, the experience contributed by a sound engineer, the ambient acoustics, the professionalism of the technicians as well as microphone quality and other elements that form part of a good sound studio are all factors that have a huge impact on the quality of a recording.

36

Record sleeve from the group 'Awana' with guitarist Michel Cusson.
1999
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

37

David Gaudreault, guitarist, listening to his recording with Gilles Poirier, head of the SNE label.
1990
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

38

Recording 'Petit fou' in Montreal with Gaston Bernard, Bill Garrett, and others.
January, 2001
Montreal, Quebec, Canada