I really liked what Ron Carter said about the preliminary rehearsals before the musicians went into the studio. Like he said, there was no money for extensive studio time to figure things out. When you look at the labels on Blue Note recordings, it's amazing to see how those legendary sessions were recorded in a day or two or three, rarely more. Rudy van Gelder was not a producer, he was a fabulous engineer. The musicians played and he recorded and mastered. Very few people work like this today.
Rudy Van Gelder was also an Amateur Radio Operator (Ham Radio) and engineer, so he had an extensive and intuitive backround in audio and electronics! I am certain that somewhere in his recording chain of equipment, he uses tubed preamps or other equipment. His recordings sound so 'warm' and organic, which tubes impart in the music bigtime.
My surname is that of Rudy's. I wrote him a letter asking where he came from and he e-mailed me that although he was born in America, his father came from Arnhem, Holland.
@@iansmith8263 Not at all, Sir. I live near Arnhem and my family originate from this area. 'Gelder' describes the area between Arnhem and Venlo. Besides, 'Geldern' is a small German city near Kleef. And apparently he came from the same area. Plus we are both Jewish. Why should that be bullshit?
@@BuckshotLaFunke1 don't worry. Some people always smell bs because they are full of it... the Dutch origins of Van Gelder are well known as it the fact that the Van prefix is Dutch while the Fon or Von is German.
Rudy had the best sound, and reserved the very best of it for Blue Note. As an example, take Lou Donaldson's Blue Note sessions, from 1957 through 1963. Clear as a bell. Then he moved to Argo, and the instrumental sound is muddy, as if there is a thick blanket thrown over the speakers. It has to do with the mikes and the recording levels. Rudy was on of the first in America to get the Neumann U-47 mike (the best mike in the world). He had it rewired, so that it could be placed right next to the instruments without distorting the sound. Way better than the horrible RCA mike - the one with the two flat faces at an angle. Max Roach was a fine drummer with Bird (though seldom on any Blue Note sessions). His blasphemous language (using God's name in vain) is not welcome.
Someone needs to write a big book about RVG. An icon .... one of the greatest engineers in music, period .
Ah, that warm sound! This man will always be remembered!
May Rudy rest in peace thanks for sharing your talent with us
Goodbye Rudy. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Rudy Van Gelder is to music recording as Jack Delano was to photography. They didn't just capture art, they captured history.
Rudy Van Gelder (November 2, 1924 - August 25, 2016) R.I.P. :(
I really liked what Ron Carter said about the preliminary rehearsals before the musicians went into the studio. Like he said, there was no money for extensive studio time to figure things out. When you look at the labels on Blue Note recordings, it's amazing to see how those legendary sessions were recorded in a day or two or three, rarely more. Rudy van Gelder was not a producer, he was a fabulous engineer. The musicians played and he recorded and mastered. Very few people work like this today.
Rudy Van Gelder was also an Amateur Radio Operator (Ham Radio) and engineer, so he had an extensive and intuitive backround in audio and electronics! I am certain that somewhere in his recording chain of equipment, he uses tubed preamps or other equipment. His recordings sound so 'warm' and organic, which tubes impart in the music bigtime.
Until the mid 60's there was ONLY tube equipment.
The master ... Original,, not to be duplicated...
👏🏾👏🏾
It's not an "EAR" it's a stylized "P" - for the Plastylite pressing plant.
Javon Jackson playing with the blue note all stars!
My surname is that of Rudy's. I wrote him a letter asking where he came from and he e-mailed me that although he was born in America, his father came from Arnhem, Holland.
i smell bullshit
@@iansmith8263 Not at all, Sir. I live near Arnhem and my family originate from this area. 'Gelder' describes the area between Arnhem and Venlo. Besides, 'Geldern' is a small German city near Kleef. And apparently he came from the same area. Plus we are both Jewish. Why should that be bullshit?
@@BuckshotLaFunke1 don't worry. Some people always smell bs because they are full of it... the Dutch origins of Van Gelder are well known as it the fact that the Van prefix is Dutch while the Fon or Von is German.
@@musamusashi Thanks, Musa!
2:04 Bill Stewart cookin
Hey, viceadmiraal61...what's a U47?
heu hey the hydra magazine maghuzzin
Is that Taj Mahal at the beginning?
Is Max Roach, awesome drummer
@@margaridaduarte6246 the man just before him
@@chesalgadolooks like Taj!
Rudy had the best sound, and reserved the very best of it for Blue Note. As an example, take Lou Donaldson's Blue Note sessions, from 1957 through 1963. Clear as a bell. Then he moved to Argo, and the instrumental sound is muddy, as if there is a thick blanket thrown over the speakers. It has to do with the mikes and the recording levels. Rudy was on of the first in America to get the Neumann U-47 mike (the best mike in the world). He had it rewired, so that it could be placed right next to the instruments without distorting the sound. Way better than the horrible RCA mike - the one with the two flat faces at an angle.
Max Roach was a fine drummer with Bird (though seldom on any Blue Note sessions). His blasphemous language (using God's name in vain) is not welcome.
The RCA you mention is a ribbon mic, far from being horrible, it is just a very different sound signature from the Neumann condensers.
Max Roach is on a lot of early Blue Note records, check your facts. And he is not "a good drummer" but one of the great masters of the instrument.