Preserving Classic Multi-Tracks for Use in the Classroom

Archiving and Restoration

Presenters:
John Krivit, Professional Audio Design - Hanover, MA, USA; Emerson College - Boston, MA, USA
George Massenburg, Schulich School of Music, McGill University - Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Eric Schwartz, Partner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, and Member, National Recording Preservation Board – Library of Congress
Toby Seay, Drexel University - Philadelphia, PA, USA

In the wake of the 2018 AES Archiving Conference, a demand was created to make available classic multi-track recordings for educational purposes. Addressed were well-founded concerns that archivists cannot keep up with quantities of decomposing magnetic tape being stored in less than ideal conditions. If tape owners could find opportunity to remonetize original multi-track tapes, they would have incentive to hire archivists, and worries about conservation would be allayed. In proposing an electronic library of classic multitrack master recordings distributed by the AES to educational institutions, the panel will present the pedagogical value of their use, discuss existing arrangements for archiving collections at colleges and unwind the legal and ethical concerns of record companies and copyright holders. Attendees can expect to hear multi-tracks of Earth Wind & Fire’s "September" presented by George Massenburg and David Bowie’s Young Americans as presented by Toby Seay.