Michael Fremer

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Michael Fremer  |  Feb 10, 2018  |  First Published: Feb 10, 2018  |  42 comments
Beginning in the late ‘70s, continuing throughout the 1980s and once in 1994 Wilson Audio Specialties founder Dave Wilson released a series of records that he co-produced with wife Sheryl Lee, many of which he also engineered. They were minimally miked—often a spaced pair of Schoeps was all—and mastered by an all-star lineup of disc cutters including Bruce Leek (who also shared engineering credit on some), Stan Ricker and Doug Sax (Google if any of the names are unfamiliar). The tape machine for all but the very early organ record Recital (Wilson W-278) was an Ultramaster™ by John Curl, a highly modified Studer 1/2" deck running at 30 IPS.

Michael Fremer  |  Aug 06, 2006  |  0 comments
"Hello, I'd like to apply for a Federal Grant? For what? Oh, to design and build a new, high-tech, very expensive turntable. What's that? It plays records. Yes, that kind of turntable. Of course they still make records. Why? How much time do you have? Oh, I forgot—you're a federal employee, you have all day! Well, I didn't mean to insult you. It was a joke....No, I'm serious about the turntable. You do? What kind of music? When are they from? RCA Record Club? Classical Music? 1950s and '60s? Yes. I'll give you $5 each. I know it's generous, but... How much money do I want for the grant? Coupla hundred thousand dollars. No, our turntables will never be used to play Marilyn Manson records—Marilyn doesn't do vinyl. It's in the mail? Thank you. I'll come get the LPs tonight."
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 01, 2006  |  0 comments

Much was made of special guest star Diana Krall’s appearance when this superb album was announced, and while her reading of Cheryl Ernst’s lyrics set to a Jimmy Rowles’s composition is poignant and heartfelt, appropriately, it is Wilson who shines both as an arranger, comfortably in the grip of Gil Evans, and as a precise master of the hollow-bodied electric guitar.

Michael Fremer  |  Feb 01, 2005  |  0 comments

LP mastering engineer Don Grossinger brought over two LP editions of Smile last week, test pressings from RTI used for the domestic Rhino release and a set from Pallas in Germany for the European market. Grossinger cut identical lacquers for both.

Michael Fremer  |  Sep 25, 2015  |  First Published: Sep 25, 2015  |  17 comments
For vinyl lovers, it’s important to know that Wilson-Benesch first began in 1989 as a start-up dedicated to building a turntable simply because it felt vinyl was a superior medium compared to CD. For that reason alone, the company should be venerated. W-B argued that new, emerging technologies like carbon fiber could further elevate vinyl playback.

Michael Fremer  |  Sep 30, 2012  |  6 comments
We have a copy to give away of Paul Simon's new concert Blu-ray disc "Live in New York City," courtesy Concord Music. WARNING: It will not play on your turntable!
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 15, 2015  |  First Published: Dec 15, 2015  |  19 comments
Let's say you want to both play vinyl and stream your Christmas music. If so, UMe has a swell promotion for you that combines streaming and a chance to win a vinyl copy of this Les Paul & Mary Ford Christmas album.
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 09, 2021  |  First Published: Sep 09, 2021  |  2 comments
This gets complicated so please bear with me: days after the January 8th, 2011 politically motivated shooting that took the lives of six people and injured nineteen others including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of the Tucson, AZ community formed an organization called Luz de Vida (Light of Life) to benefit survivors. More than $20,000 was raised to help victims and their families.

Michael Fremer  |  Jan 30, 2020  |  First Published: Jan 30, 2020  |  3 comments
Welsh multi-instrumentalist Gwenifer Raymond makes her London debut February 19th at Shacklewell Arms. If you live nearby or are in the mood to travel, thanks to the show promoter, analogPlanet is giving away two tickets.

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