Universal Recording Corporationwas arecording studioinChicagofounded byBill Putnam, Sr.for the purpose of investigating new recording techniques and the development of specialized recording equipment.
| Industry | Recording studio |
|---|---|
| Founded | Evanston, Illinois, U.S. (1946) |
| Founder | Bill Putnam, Sr. |
| Defunct | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois ,U.S. |
Universal Recording was seminal in the development of experimental studio techniques. It was the location of the first use of tape repeat in a recording, the first isolated vocal booth, the first recording with multiple overdubs of a single voice, early 8-track recording trials and the first experiments with half speed disc mastering.[1]
History
editEarly history
editPutnam established Universal Recording Corp. north ofDowntown ChicagoinEvanston, Illinoisin 1946.[2]His partners were Bernie Clapper (a formerValparaiso Technical Instituteroommate) and Bob Weber (who Putnam had met while working with theU.S. Army). The initial investment, most of which Putnam had borrowed from his family, was $20,000. The Evanston facility consisted of one small studio with aWestern Electricbroadcast console and aScullyrecording lathewithWestrexsystem purchased from Otto Hepp. Putnam won a lucrative contract with to record anddelay broadcasttranscriptionsshows for theABC radio network.[3]
Recognizing the need for Universal Recording to have a location closer to downtown Chicago, Putnam took over the studios on the 42nd floor of theChicago Civic Opera Buildingat 20Wacker DriveinChicago.He struck a deal withThe Harmonicatsto help facilitate a recording session and record release in exchange for a portion of the sales of the record. His use of the building's bathroom as anecho chamberfor the recording of "Peg o' My Heart"was the first artistic use ofartificial reverbin a popular song.[2]The song sold 1.4 million copies and gave Universal Recording Corp. a big boost in income and new business.[4][5]
Universal Recording soon became the hotspot for the Chicago music business. Such artists asPatti Page,Vic DamoneandDinah Washingtoncame through the doors;Al Morgan's "Jealous Heart"sold a million copies on the in-houseUniversal Recordslabel.[2]
In 1949, Universal Recording was granted a patent for "Double Feature", a method for putting two songs on each side of a 10-inch record. The technology was developed byCook Recordsin New York and exclusively licensed to Universal Records.
Walton Street
editIn 1955, Putnam built Universal Studios a new 15,000 square foot facility at 46 E. Walton Street. Putnam's company quickly became Chicago's largest independent recording studio, hosting sessions for artists from Chicago blues labels such asVee-Jay,MercuryandChess.Putnam and his studio's reputation grew quickly thanks to work with blues artists such asMuddy Waters,Willie Dixon,Bo Diddley,Little Walter,andChuck Berry,and jazz artists likeCount Basie,Stan Kenton,Sarah Vaughan,Dizzy Gillespie,Ella Fitzgerald,Little Walter,andDuke Ellington,who said Putnam was his favorite engineer.[6]Putnam's period at Universal saw a number of 'firsts' for the recording industry, including the first use of tape repeat, the first vocal booth, the first multiple voice recording, one of the first to use 8-track recording (preceded by Les Paul andTom Dowd), the first use of delay lines in the studio, and the first release, in 1956, of half-speed mastered discs (on the Mercury label.)[2][7]
Universal Recording was the most advanced and largest independent recording facility in the country. Producers and arrangers such asNelson Riddle,Mitch MillerandQuincy Jonesgrew to prefer the studio for theirbig bandandorchestralrecordings. EngineerBruce Swedienbegan working for the studio. In 1957, Putnam sold his interest in Universal Recording and moved to Hollywood, where he establishedUnited Recording Corp.[8]Upon Putnam's departure, Bernie Clapper became President of Universal Recording Corporation.
By 1967, Universal was operating five studios 24 hours a day, and began a $1 million 26,000 square foot expansion of four additional studios and more.[9]Murray Alan became President of Universal Recording in the early 1970s. At its peak, Universal Recording Corporation employed over 400 people. In 1989, the Walton Street building was sold, and Universal Recording moved to 32 West Randolph Street. It closed for good shortly afterwards.[10]
References
edit- ^"Wasn't the Gold Coast once home to a world-famous studio?".Chicago Tribune.12 August 2005.Retrieved17 August2021.
- ^abcdCogan, Jim; Clark, William (2003).Temples of Sound: Inside the Great Recording Studios.San Francisco, United States: Chronicle Books. pp.125–135.ISBN0-8118-3394-1.
- ^"The Vitacoustic Label".Clemson.edu.Retrieved25 August2021.
- ^Weir, William (2012-06-21)."How humans conquered echo".The Atlantic.Retrieved2021-08-24.
- ^"A Brief History of The Studio As An Instrument: Part 1 - Early Reflections".Ableton.com.Retrieved24 August2021.
- ^Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, Volume 37, Number 9, September 1989.An Afternoon With: Bill Putnam,Retrieved on May 6, 2009.
- ^Sutheim, Peter (September 1989)."An Afternoon With: Bill Putnam"(PDF).Journal of the Audio Engineering Society.37(9).Audio Engineering Society:723–730.ISSN1549-4950.
- ^"Phill Sawyer - recollections".precambrianmusic.com.Retrieved17 February2017.
- ^"Mad Studio Space Scramble on As Waxing Splurge Hits Chicago".Billboard.14 October 1967.Retrieved3 October2024.
- ^Benzuly, Sarah."Murray Allen, 1930-2006".Mix Online.Future Plc.Retrieved1 September2021.
External links
edit- YouTube - Universal Recording part 1
- YouTube - Universal Recording part 2
- YouTube - Universal Recording part 3
- YouTube - Universal Recording part 4
- Sweetwater Sound - Bruce Swedien (The Early Days at Universal Recording) Part 2
- Sweetwater Sound - Bruce Swedien (Inside Universal Recording Studios, Chicago) Part 3