There was a magical something that was in the mix, like a secret spice for holiday treats that your grandmother refused to divulge. This blend of the right room, the correct positioning and choice of microphones , the sound baffles and the distance between the piano, the bass and the drums from the orchestra and the vocalist. These elements were Frank Laico’s specialty. For example, Frank told us that there were only a couple of feet from the drummer’s backside and the control room glass wall. It sounded great to the drummer to hear everything reflecting off the glass and it worked for everyone else as well. Another thing to keep in mind was that no one was using headphones for monitoring. They actually were listening to each other, and playing like a real band in real time. Imagine that!

There are many articles and interviews with Frank Laico that you should research if you are serious about being a producer or an engineer. Google and You Tube will keep you busy for hours on Frank Laico or Columbia Records. For me to go on and on as though Frank and I were old pals from way back would not be truthful but I can say that I think I made a great friend last night with one of the nicest men in the music industry I shall ever come to know.

There was an added surprise for all of us and especially for Frank last night as PJ, Dan and Bob from MOUSe Recording Studio and the AES had us all sign a nice card and we sang “ Happy Birthday “ to Frank, who will turn ninety years young this weekend. Little did Frank know that the wonderful folks from the Pacific Northwest section of the AES would be giving him a brand new laptop computer! You should have seen his face light up with that million-dollar smile! Frank has always been known to have a smile on his face while working, no matter how heated a session may become. Sometimes it even angered others working with him that he wouldn’t get upset about anything. Frank says he always loved getting up and going to work every day and that he was one of the luckiest guys in the world. He smiled for over two hours as he told us about his amazing life and livelihood. It’s effortless for this man to do well in his work, to enjoy his life and to love his wife of sixty-five years and to treat others with kindness.

When the moment was right during an intermission while everyone was enjoying Franks birthday cake, I walked over to Frank and asked him about something he’d said concerning not using multi-tracking in favor of just recording in stereo. He looked right into my eyes and smiled and then reached out to hold my hand, which he held tightly and said “ you’ve just got to use your ears, that’s all you have to do”. I then became a typical journalist seizing the moment with a digital camera tucked inside my coat. “ Can I get a picture Frank? “ The smile became even more radiant as he told me that would be just fine. Calvin was nearby so I snapped a photo of the two of them also.

For many years to come I will look back on that night in Seattle Washington and I will recall what a pivotal time that was for me, not only as a journalist but as an aspiring producer who, like many of you seeks out the Guru, a master who will give us that special little piece of the puzzle that didn’t come with the box.

Bruce J Maier






PJ Newman and the folks at MOUSe Studio offer their many years of expertise, the very best and latest equipment with full remote capability, affordable rates plus plenty of secure free parking, close to all amenities that Seattle has to offer. MOUSe Studio / 206.926.3546

One of the most famous and loved producer-engineers, Frank Laico was in downtown Seattle recently at a special presentation for the Audio Engineering Society. I had been invited by my friend, Cal Taylor who is a college electronics instructor and  part owner in a live sound company . Thanks to Cal for asking me to go along, I had the chance to meet Mr. Laico and some of the other attendees, many of whom were studio owners, producers and engineers. The event was hosted by MOUSe Studio of Seattle, a full service facility that is owned by Mr. PJ Newman who is a fine musician and songwriter recording artist. At the end of this article we will provide links and addresses for you to contact Mr. Newman about his services and also how to reach the AES and perhaps to obtain membership.

 

Frank Laico is the most famous producer and engineer at the original Columbia Records, 30th street studios in New York City for many years and has worked with the greatest names in show business. Since the  modest beginnings of monophonic recording Frank Laico has seen many innovations and technologies come to pass. One thing that has remained constant though is the fact that without a great set of ears you might as well find something else to do for a living.
Frank Laico recorded everyone from Tony Bennett to sixteen year old Bobby Dylan to Thelonious Monk. Throw in Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand and the “ Chairman Of The Board “, Frank Sinatra. Don’t forget Paul Simon , Art Garfunkel and the great Louis Armstrong. These artists are some of the world’s most loved and many are still today playing to sold out arenas accompanied by respectable CD sales. They, like the music that Frank Laiko helped them create will never go out of style.
Continued on next column...