Hello,
On Scruggs Mercury Recordings I try to hear his back up but cannot make all of it out clearly. At that time they were recording in just one microphone so you cannot separate channels. Can anyone tell me what Scruggs recordings are recorded with 2 microphones and done so in a way that if I put them on Amazing Slowdowner and listen to just one channel, Earl's backup will be considerable more audible?
Please pass on any albums or sessions that you listen to in order to study Scruggs backup.
Thanks,
ken
Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 01/29/2023 12:15:13
Columbia began stereo releases in 1958, so Foggy Mountain Banjo should be a good option. On the live albums, Earl moves from one mic to the other, making headphone listening interesting, but not for your purposes.
Don't know if it's true for the whole album, but on "McKinley's Gone" from Folk Songs of Our Land, Earl's on the left channel.
I do know that Uncle Josh was usually on the left channel. If you listen to the Songs of Glory all on the left channel, you'll get an ear full of dobro.
Seems to be in the left channel on the Hard Travelin' album too.
Ditto The Versatile Flatt & Scruggs. Earl and Josh in left channel. Lester in both. Jake and Paul Warren in right.
They were masters of knowing when not to play.
quote:
Originally posted by earlstanleycroweDon't know if it's true for the whole album, but on "McKinley's Gone" from Folk Songs of Our Land, Earl's on the left channel.
I do know that Uncle Josh was usually on the left channel. If you listen to the Songs of Glory album all on the left channel, you'll get an ear full of dobro.
Thanks Y'all!. you gave me some great information and I will be gettin' after it with your help.
Thanks again.
ken
According to Goldsmith’s book, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown “ even in the early Mercury days, 4 microphones were used in the studio; one for the bass, one for the fiddle, one for the vocals, and one for both the banjo and guitar. The engineer could adjust these levels separately before or during the take but it all came out on one mono line, so once it was recorded, there was no way to change it. I was surprised to read that more than one mic was used. I guess that was state of the art at the time. Live performances were probably where the one-microphone idea came from.
I don't know enough about this to know what Scruggs recordings are recorded with 2 microphones, but if the study of Earl's backup on the Mercury recordings is your interest, check out Tom Adams's -one of the finest banjo pickers ever! - "Flatt & Scruggs Mercury Sessions Backup Licks DVD Banjo Lesson" adamscountybanjo.com/2016-tom-...-DVD.html
Tom is one of those amazing players who is also wonderful at teaching :-)
