Interview with Brooks Arthur, May 12, 1999

Interview Summary

Brooks Arthur talks about a studio he owned in Manhattan called Century Sound. He talks about other studios in Manhattan during the 1960s. Arthur talks about leaving A&R Records and beginning his own studio called Century Studio in the late 1960s. He talks about the engineers who worked for him and the recording artists who were his clients. He talks about eventually selling his studio to a holding company called Commonwealth United. Arthur talks about the transition in the 1970s as recording engineers began to receive album credit for their work. He describes production and engineering work on an award winning album for Janis Ian. He talks about his professional influences. Arthur talks about recording sessions at Fine Recording, Inc. Arthur talks about getting advice on engineering techniques from Bob Fine while producing his own demonstration recordings.

Arthur talks about participating in a recording session under mysterious circumstances for Neil Diamond as he transitioned from one label to another. He talks about Diamond's early rise to success. Arthur talks about the transition in recording sessions after multi-track technology became available. He says after multi-tracking, studios would specialize in various aspects of recording and a song might be produced in several studios. He compares qualities of various studios. Arthur talks about the shift from large corporate studios to smaller home studios or "workshop" studios. Arthur talks about seeing the future in smaller project studios. He says this vision drove his building of the 914 Studio.

Interview Keyword

Miller, Mitch. Springsteen, Bruce. Ramone, Phil Ian, Janis Springfield, Dusty Manilow, Barry. Manchester, Melissa Spector, Phil, 1939- Diamond, Neil Fine, Robert Simon, Paul, 1941- Joel, Billy. Grateful Dead (Musical group) Morrison, Van, 1945- King, Carole, 1942- Goffin, Gerry

Interview LC Subject

Columbia Records, Inc. RCA Records Sound recording industry--History Sound recordings Music History of science and technology Sound--Recording and reproducing Sound--Recording and reproducing--History Sound recording industry Record labels

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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