Interview with Brian Telzrow, January 29, 1996

Interview Summary

This is an interview with Cleveland audio engineer Brian Telzrow. Telzrow talks about how he became interested in audio recording and technology as a child through use of his father's recorders and through working with other high schoolers on an independent radio station, WBKR. He talks about the equipment they used and the events they would record for their radio program. Telzrow talks about some of the recording studios active in Cleveland when he first entered the industry . He mentions Audio Recording, Cleveland Recording, Schneider Recording, and some independent studios. Telzrow talks in great detail about the types of music technology and equipment that were used to record, edit, and cut records at Schneider Studios. He also talks about their clientele. Telzrow describes his own career trajectory beginning with his work with Hank Schneider who recommended him for a job at Audio Recording. He talks about where he went after leaving Audio Recording, and his current work at Little Warehouse.

Telzrow goes into great detail about the process of recording multiple tracks for a single recording before the invention of actual multi-track technology. He talks about the invention of the 4 track and the 8 track, and their effects on the recording process. Telzrow talks about some inventors of audio consoles, including Dan Flickinger whose reputation suffered after Johnny Cash learned that his consoles were not performing to specification. Telzrow talks about the equipment available at Audio Recording, mentioning specific cutting machines and lathes. Telzrow talks about how technology was upgraded at Audio Recording. He talks about recording effects including reverb, phlanging, phasing, and harmonic generation, among others. He describes each effect and talks specifically how it was created.

Interview Keyword

Schneider Recording Studio Audio Recording Studio Radio programs--United States--History--20th century

Interview LC Subject

Cleveland (Ohio) Sound recording industry--History Sound--Recording and reproducing Sound--Recording and reproducing--History Sound recording industry Sound studios. Sound engineers Acoustical engineering. Sound--Recording and reproducing--Equipment and supplies.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.