Interview with Irv Joel, October 12, 1999

Interview Summary

This interview with audio engineer Irv Joel begins with a discussion on Capitol Records' attempt to improve the quality of sound recording. He then talks about the famous underground echo chambers in the Capitol Records tower. He moves on to talk about the development of stereophonic recording.
Joel also discusses how the recording business shifted from New York (N.Y.) to Los Angeles (Calif.) in the mid-1960s. The two then talk about audio engineers Bill Putnam and Bob Fine. Joel also talks about how he taught sound mixers.

The interview then moves on to discuss Joel's time in television and why he felt that his background in television recording helped him to enter the music recording business. It ends with a discussion on unions and producing stereo albums.

Interview Keyword

Joel, Irv Capitol Records Stereo Teaching Television Recording Radio Capitol Records tower

Interview LC Subject

Sound--Recording and reproducing Sound--Recording and reproducing--History Sound recording industry Sound recording industry--History Sound recordings Record labels. Music History of science and technology Capitol Records, Inc. Teaching Stereophonic sound systems.

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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