In today’s pro-vinyl climate, there are a growing number of niche projects putting the format to good use.
The 78 Project uses a 1930s Presto direct-to-acetate disk recorder to record live performances in one take. The project is inspired by Alan Lomax, an American folk music field collector.
The project website says “the film, music and feelings that result” from their recordings “defy space and time”.
The 78 Project will release their first collection of material on vinyl, Volume 1. It features recordings by Loudon Wainwright III, Rosanne Cash, Dawn Landes, and many more.
78 is also raising funds to put together a full length documentary.
Would you like a craft beer to go with your artisanal recording? I’m still trying to decide if the entire back-to-analog movement, encompassing vinyl and cassette tapes, reflects a true void in the soul of the culture as it seeks sonic fulfillment, or if it’s simply an extension of hipster fascination with single-gear bicycles. (And underneath the snark is a legitimate question.)
Who wants to ride an ugly bike?
Is that a question or an invitation?
LOL! I almost spit coffee on my monitor.. 🙂
Hipsters? What a joke they are. But I think this is kinda cool. Analog movement is real. I have no problem with them. I actually mix analog with digital in my production. The reality is, a very small % of consumers are buying anything outside “Digital”.
I came across the 78 Project not too long ago via the Secret Sisters. I think what they’re doing is pretty awesome.
I was watching the new Rolling Stone Hyde Park film & I was thinking how amazing it would be is we had gorgeous digital footage of the Stones in the ’60s, or any other legendary band from the past at their peak. Just the same, it’s pretty revelatory to hear modern acts recorded as they would’ve been during the ’30s.