Adventures At RTI record pressing plant...AKA Relaxin' At Camarillo -Now with PHOTOS

My Adventures At RTI...AKA Relaxin' At Camarillo

Well, my family and I just got back from two great weeks vacationing in California. Why am I telling you this? Because during our time in Los Angeles, we were privileged to meet Steve and get a tour of AcousTech Mastering and the RTI pressing plant. When I posted, way back in June on a vacation thread, that I was coming to California, Steve was gracious enough to offer to give me and my family a tour. Needless to say, we took him up on the offer.

On our third day in LA we made the hour or so drive up to Camarillo. Finding RTI, tucked away in a small group of industrial buildings, was pretty easy. When we walked in, we were greeted by Don MacInnis, who owns the joint. He said that Steve and Kevin Gray weren't there yet (we were a little early), but were expected shortly. He gave us a brief history of AcousTech and RTI, and we discussed the Bruce Springsteen show he had seen the previous night at Dodger Stadium. Then Kevin walked in. He showed me and my family around the studio, patiently explaining what everything did. We had a nice chat, about The Beatles (naturally), and lots of other things. Then Steve walked in. After introductions all around, Steve pulled out a master tape of a very popular jazz album, by a popular jazz artist of the early 60's. Steve and Kevin then proceeded to cut me a test pressing, right before my eyes, of one of the songs (at 45 rpm of course). After the pressing was done, we looked through a microscope at the grooves. Really fascinating. They were wiggling all over the map. Steve and Kevin were kind enough to sign the pressing, and I had a truly unique souvenir. Wow!!

We then went on a tour of RTI, basically following the whole process from the creation of the metal master, mother and stamper to the pressing of the finished albums. We saw "raw" vinyl, both the regular kind, and the super fine stuff used in the 180 and 200g pressings. Yes, there really is a difference between the two. I also got another souvenir, a "biscuit", which is the glob of vinyl that the record labels are attached to, before it is squashed down flat. You're right, Steve, it makes a great paperweight on my desk at work. It's got labels from the "Miles Davis At The Blackhawk" album on it. One final souvenir was a mass of wispy thin vinyl that is the waste that gets sucked out when the grooves are being cut. Looks sort of like fuzzy hair. It's also pretty flammable.

After the tour we went out to lunch with Steve, Kevin, and Rick Hashimoto, RTI's Plant Manager. Went to Bandits, a great BBQ place. We had a great time eating and talking about a wide range of subjects, but, of course, mostly about music. I had a terrific BBQ Steak sandwich (thanks Rick, if you're lurking out there, it was a great recommendation), followed by the biggest hot fudge sundae I've ever seen. Steve was the only other person brave enough to tackle one. I think we both enjoyed it quite a bit. Back to RTI for some pictures (I'll e-mail them to you Steve, since I can't figure out how to post them on the forum), and goodbye.

It was really a great day. Steve and Kevin are two of the nicest guys you will ever meet on this planet, and everyone at RTI treated us royally. Thanks Don and Rick, for letting us poke around your place. Thanks so much to everyone we met, of course, particularly to Steve for setting the whole thing up and being so gracious to us. It was great fun meeting you and finding out that you are even nicer in person (if that's possible) than you are on the Forum. Thanks again, Steve. Also, loved the Roy Orbison story.

Jeff

 

Very nice of you Steve Oh yeah that's where Charlie had a bit of time to umm how would you say it MELLOW OUT for a bit as "BIRD" did need his rest and relaxation at the time. So what's he do he writes a tune about his time there?

Well I'm convinced by that story you're even a cooler guy than I thought you already were and that's always good to know about a person I like!

I can't wait to see these pictures. I loved the ones from the Peggy Lee remaster session of you at Capitol. I wasn't able to post as it was moved to the music section of the Forum and I had just seen them last night. You looked super intense in a few of those "I liked seeing that" it's one of those looks that says hey this is hard work but I love what I'm doing.

I must say that although it's a bit late or early in the AM here on the East Coast, but I'm now dying for a nice Hot Fudge Sundae!!:

 

Wonderful story!!

 

Great story Jefhart. I look forward to seeing the pix. It's great to know that Steve is as nice in person as he comes across on this board.

 

Jeff,

Great story and thanks for sharing it with us!

Bob

 

Jeff, you're one lucky guy. That's really a great story and experience. Nice of Steve to show you around. I mean where else can you get that kind of deal?

mud-

 

Very cool! Glad that you had such a great time.

 

Looks like a good time was had by all.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Great.. now I want a fudge sundae!



Great pictures! Lovely family, Jeff! Glad you had a great time. Hey - what did your boys think of the tour?

 

That it's easier to burn a CDR .

 

Thanks for posting the pictures Steve. Barrie wasn't in too much shock since she's seen me eat a Hot Fudge Sundae before, though never one that big. Thanks for keeping me company, I know it was a great sacrifice for you to eat that sundae.

Thanks for all the replies guys, it really was a fun day........and my test pressing sounds fantastic Steve, another good job by you and Kevin.

Also, forgot to thank Rick for recommending Boo Boo's Records in San Luis Obispo, great store. Thanks Rick.


Jeff

 

What was on the record?

 

It was one fine sundae, Jeff. How far is Camarillo from you? Worth the trip for the BBQ as well

My boys found the tour interesting, and enjoyed meeting everybody. They particularly enjoyed the lunch. My oldest son, Evan, took the video of the sundae eating, from which we took the photos. I didn't even notice him taking it until he was practically done. Sneaky devil.

Even though they are both young enough to be in the CD generation, they are familiar with records, unlike most of their peers, since I still have quite a few of them. It was something out of the ordinary for them, something I guarantee none of their friends will ever experience. They appreciate that.

Jeff