Gennett Records

Gennett Records. Recording Studio Site 1920-1934. [Side one] This sign marks the north wall of the studio's reception room and engineering office, a 20 x 30 foot space. To the right was a small waiting room that led to the studio entrance door. Just outside the door lay the railroad siding serving the factory complex. The engineering work bench, where blank recording masters were prepared, stood along the east wall. Against the west wall was the recording engineer's desk where master recordings were identified in the log book by title, artist, and number. The doorway to the recording studio was on the left side of the north wall. Next to it was a window. looking into the studio, allowing the engineer to watch as Hoagy Carmichael, Louis Armstrong, and so many others made history with their recordings. , [Captions] , Left: King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band with Louis Armstrong (center). , Right: Hoagy Carmichael (seated at piano) at his first session at Starr-Gennett recording studio., [Side two] This sign marks the south wall of the 20' x 30' recording studio which housed the original acoustic-powered recording lathe, a turntable powered by a heavy suspended weight mechanism – not electricity. When recording, the performers gathered in front of a large horn and each performer was positioned according to individual loudness., This method of recording was used until 1927 when it was replaced by electric recording. The studio walls were covered with heavy black drapes which, along with an Oriental rug from the Gennett Mansion, helped deaden the sound. The wax-carbon recording masters required à temperature of 85 degrees in the studio, making fans necessary. , [Captions] , Left: Starr-Gennett recording studio. , Right: Bix Beiderbecke and the Rhythm Jugglers.