Our friend Gary Koh takes us to the legendary Bernie Grundman Mastering with his new article. For the fans of analog and music in general this is a must read…
“As far back as I can remember in my audiophile life, the words “Bernie Grundman Mastering” has been THE mark of quality for great music. I was invited by my good friend Wuti Larnroongroj to visit as he was there to cut the lacquer for the new limited edition Boyd Kosiyabong (Thai language) album – 45rpm, single-sided on six discs!!! To be produced by Brilliance Music & Studios, it will be the first Thai-language album on this ultimate-quality format.
Bernie Grundman Mastering has their own underground parking, and this is the sign that greets you as the garage gate closes.”
While waiting for Bernie, I took the opportunity to get my picture taken at his “Brag Wall” – not that he needed any bragging. This was just a very, very small selection of all the Platinum and Gold discs mastered here.
All lacquers are cut here on one of two Scully lathes – Bernie told me that he much preferred these to the Neumann as it is SOLID. The cutter head is mounted on a huge cast-aluminum arm unlike the Neuman which seems flimsy in comparison. The lathe is mounted on a custom-designed table that is triple-suspended. There is even a cut-out on the floor around the lathe so that footsteps are decoupled.
On the top platform is a custom-manufactured table that is usually used for mounting electron-microscopes. It has a resonance frequency of half-hertz and filters out all frequencies and amplitudes that would affect the cutting integrity.
It was a joy and an honor to watch Bernie Grundman at work. He obviously loves what he does, and it is obvious that he is good at it.
He bops to the music, tapping his foot, bobbing along….. twiddles some knobs, punches some buttons and smiles……. then he said, “Let’s go!”
Bernie explained that almost everything in the production chain was designed and built or extensively modified in-house. From the custom built computer that runs the mastering software (down to the power supply and the internal wiring!!), to the console, the lathe drive electronics, the tube amps, and the cutter head. The attention to detail sure shows through on the quality.
During the cut, Bernie checks each side multiple times to make sure that the grooves look “just right”. While we were there, he stopped one laquer halfway through and scratched it up muttering “no good, no good”.
Once the laquer is cut, and Bernie is satisfied, he will scratch in the identification numbers using a stylus and either will put in his initials or his complete signature.
I call this the “Un-Music” – the remnants of the lacquer that gets removed during the cutting process. We started with an empty bottle and it was almost full by the time we finished the 6 lacquers.
Bernie mastered the original pressing of the album.
This session, Bernie worked on the 45rpm 6-side limited edition version of the same album by Boyd Kosiyabong: Songs from Different Scenes #2. Although I don’t speak Thai, many of the songs sounded very familiar and all three of us were bobbing along as the lacquer was cut.
If the client brings a tape, one of these four Ampex 102 machines will be used. Why four? Two NAB, two IEC, two 1/4-inch, two 1/2-inch.
A close-up of the lathe beginning to cut one of the sides. Bernie is such an expert that we cut all six sides in under 4 hours!!
And finally, here’s a souvenir shot I got with my hero Bernie Grundman. Thanks for all the wonderful music, and I’m looking forward to much more!
Here’s a very happy Wuti with a great job completed. Now, he’s got the task of getting the plates made and the records pressed! I’m certainly looking forward to the release.
Mono & Stereo friend Gary Koh of Genesis Advanced Technologies, Inc.