Interview with Bill Stoddard, March 11, 1999

Interview Summary

This interview begins with audio engineer Bill Stoddard discussing his childhood and background in audio engineering. It then proceeds to a technical discussion regarding scratch filters for transcription turntables, 78RPM records, and dynamic noise suppressor circuits.

The interview then moves into Stoddard's personal opinions regarding various audio engineers. He then describes his time at Universal Recording with Bill Putnam, as well as his background in physics. Stoddard then discusses the advent of tape recording and the effects it had on the recording business. He also discusses how he was introduced to the recording business and his time at Herzog Studios and Universal Recording. Stoddard goes on to talk about his move to Fine Recording.

Stoddard also discusses his former console building business, Data Mix. He then proceeds to talk about technical aspects of recording, including a detailed description of how records work. The interview ends with a discussion of Stoddard's fellow audio engineers, including Sherman Fairchild.

Interview Keyword

Stoddard, Bill Fine Recording Universal Recording Putnam, Bill Audio devices Recording Smith, Eddie Echo (reverberation) chambers Herzog Studios

Interview LC Subject

Smith, Ed. Music History of science and technology Sound--Recording and reproducing Sound--Recording and reproducing--History Sound recording industry Sound recording industry--History Sound recordings Record labels

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.