DCC Archive The Beatles-the stored masters at Abbey Rd

I have a couple of questions concerning storage of the Beatles Master Tapes.

1. How often are they inspected for deterioration?

2. Have they been on a playback machine since the first Cd's were mastered?

3. Are they stored in a master vault with all of the session masters?

4. What type tape did they use for the final 2 track masters? How long can they last under ideal conditions?

 

Hmm, to me it sounds as if he wanted to effect a confiscation of the tapes. Maybe a court could rule that the tapes have to be remastered, because they are a precious cultural treasure threatened by deterioration.
We should ask a lawyer. This is a matter of common welfare !!!!

[ November 12, 2001: Message edited by: Michael Beckmann ]

 

My 2 shillings..

1. From what I understand, they're not checked for deterioration, although cataloging was done about 7-8 years ago, and the masters were reorganized with better notation, numeration, as occasionally, there were things left on the multi's that were not documented. Some of those masters were "borrowed" by Lewishown, and it's rumoured someone else at a dub house (or courrier) had pocketed copies of some mixdown tapes. They're in good hands, though. Yes, EMI has them like a mother hen with eggs. Sitting 0n them.

2. Yes. Both the multis and 1/2 tracks, for most of the catalog.

3. Basically yes. From what I understand they are in several locations in the keep of EMI, in the UK. Not sure if the German master tape is still in its perspective country. Everything's behind seven layers thick of lawers and some afgan dogs. Note: There are some masters totally missing, some tape copies at Capitol. If you want to get to literals, including odd mixdowns, tape copies and masters for "Hollywood Bowl", it's a messy sitch.

4. EMI at Saville Row always used their own products, as much as possible. EMI was a lot like Microsoft, up to the needles and record cleaner were sold by EMI. (check the net for what EMI stands for, if you've never knew, you'd be suprised on what markets they cornered in past) The tape used was called Emitape. Steve is best versed in telling us if it might (the 1/2 tracks) have the girth of Scotch 111 or the like (of the time). Steve, I'm not sure if you've had the opportunity of handling a box of Emitape? This might be very interesting, something I don't think anyone's talked about.

Chances are though, I bet Emitape is bulk-purchased Scotch, but I'm merely guessing.

If you're planning a heist, they're waiting for you. You're best off attacking Michael Jackson. Tell him Paul deserves a raise...big time.

[ November 12, 2001: Message edited by: Sckott ]

 

Oh? Why don't you like it?

Keep in mind that a *handful* of sessions outside of EMI almost certainly used "standard" tape stock - Scotch or something.

Yeah, 1" 4-track. Yet they *still* insisted on using NR for the YS "songtrack"...

 

Heist????I just want to borrow them for about three weeks--LOL. So Abbey Road is just a recording studio---does it have a master tape vault or do I understand that the catalog is housed somewhere else? I made it to the front door 4 years ago but didn't have the nerve to go in---LOL.

 

If anyone has the Anthology videos, even taped off of the networks, there's some B&W footage of Ringo and John being interviewed outside of EMI's door while on the heels of Pepper. John has a record in his hand, and you can see 1/2 of the back cover in his hand. Always wondered what album he had in hand there.

Geroge was rushed, and he cleverly avoided the same question, "Are the Beatles breaking up...dying....etc..." "No... NO...Noo...(poof)"

 

Yes, I've noticed that too. No idea what record it is ...

But somewhere, in one of my many Beatle books or maybe even in one of my "Beatles Monthly" mags, I have a beautiful color of picture of John, circa the "Revolver" sessions, in the studio playing a lovely orange Gretsch ... with a fresh-looking copy of the Stones' "Aftermath" (UK sleeve, of course) propped up on the piano in the background.

Must have been common for the guys to bring in LPs to swap, lend, or just discuss ...

 

I think it was John Barrett thats the source of those tapes. He preceded Mark Lewisohn in cataloging the tapes. The story goes that he had cancer and was given that job as well as creating some mixes for the Abbey Road Show (the open house event with the multimedia show, in 83 I think). He also created quite a number of other mixes that eventually came out in a number bootlegs. The question remains on how they left his hands and found their way to the bootleggers.

Of course this is just off the top my head, I may have some details wrong. But the mixes that are attributed to John Barrett are very nice and I think a lot better than what's on the Anthology cds.

 

Yup, you're just guessing.

EMITape was manufactured by EMI for the specific use for EMI on their equipment. The tape is very good stuff. Geoff Emerik was amazed at how the tape has stood up through time when they did the Anthology series. The Beatles tapes are said to be in as good a condition as they day they were recorded.

On the other hand, Scotch tape was manufactured by the American company 3M Corporation. In the 70s they, along with most other major American tape manufacturers used a binder made with whale oil. The tape has been disintergrating since it was recorded, and now our whole 70s musical heritage is in jeaprody. Thousands of tapes have been saved by the baking process or other methods, like wetting the tape as it rolled across the heads. But, if you've ever wondered why you still have not seen your favorite 70s album or single on CD yet, or why something doesn't sound like it's from a first generation tape, deterioration is likely the answer. Some tapes are so badly decomposed that they are literally a glob of smelly goo now. This is also why some reissue producers have gone to mastering the original vinyl LP or 45 of a title.

[ November 13, 2001: Message edited by: Grant T. ]

 

Unfortunately, in the past entertainment was seen only as a temporary release with a short shelf life. In the 50's/60's (even 70's) who thought consumers would care about quality re-issues or talk about master tapes? We're lucky that there were a few forward thinking people that had the common sense (in today's world) to protect a lot of our past. Desi was (I think) the first to talk about a radical idea of syndication rights for "I Love Lucy" in 50's TV. He even wanted the episodes shot on film! Everyone in the industry thought he was a nut for this and agreed. I wonder what we're over looking in our present world and what the damage/critism will be in the future?

Todd

 

Joel,

Is Joel Cairo your real name or an alias? Just wondering, because I saw the Maltese Falcon the other night, and I think Peter Lorre's character has the same name.

Nothing important...

 

Actually, that was the 3rd album - Third Stage. My *guess* is it was good old sticky-shed syndrome, but you never know...

 

How about his character in "M"?

 

Nope, you got that backward. He wanted the show taped on videotape. He also pioneered the use of multiple camera angles.

 

My bad. I got that backward.

 

That was actually Boston's THIRD album, "Third Stage", not the second one. Tom Sholtz specifically mentions the song "Cool The Engines". It wasn't the storage, it was the brand of tape and it was the sticky-shed syndrome. this was in the early to mid-80s. The story is in the liner notes of the album.

[ November 13, 2001: Message edited by: Grant T. ]

 

Yikes, I always thought it was film (so it would look and last longer than kinoscope). The 3 camera set-up was a brilliant idea. TV Land recently started showing the episodes with the original credits (edited out sponsor logos/replaced with TV Land logos)...

Todd