In the case of Capitol Music Records of Canada and EMI Music Canada, closing the labels eventually gave the music another life, in a vast archive held at the University of Calgary.
From 2020 until this month, Airshow worked with the University’s team to transfer over 1,000 pieces of the 40,000 recordings the University inherited. Supported by the music’s donor, Universal Music Canada and The Mellon Foundation, the University stood up a purpose-built archiving facility to handle the massive task.
Airshow was one of a handful of outside specialists brought in on the project. Airshow transferred master analog tape recordings spanning the period from the ‘50s to the 2000s, plus alternate mixes, demos, and rehearsal recordings. Over our four-year involvement, we worked directly with Nathan Chandler, Senior AV Conservation Specialist, to preserve the work of artists across many genres, from classical to pop to heavy metal, and recording formats from 1/4” full track to 1/2” 2, 3, & 4 track, to 1” 2 track. This project utilized – and helped expand – all of the analog tape resources and expertise of Airshow Mastering.
At the same time, a group of university archivists worked to develop an online resource to enable researchers to access samples of any of the thousands of recordings, many in real time.
The archive debuted to the public last month. Now these recordings, locked up for a dozen years, are available for scholars and the general public to hear, study, and enjoy.
AirShow Mastering
https://airshowmastering.com
April 18, 2024| Music-Related Business| Barb Dye