I'm a sound engineer and card player. I enjoy playing piano and guitar in my spare time. I used to be a professional bass player, but these days make my living on the other side of the console. For the last eight years I've been mixing material for film and television. I can't imagine doing anything else! After all, my grandfather was an engineer and I always wanted to be like grandpa!
The tape recorder pictured below is a Nagra SN. It was designed primarily for undercover recording. So small, it could fit in your coat pocket. It's pictured below without the cover on. With the cover in place, it looks like a cigarette case. Produces very high quality recordings. This was what was used back in the day before digital recorders. Nagras are the world's finest recorders and to me, these are like the Rolex of tape recorders. Such precision and beauty.... okay enough with the audiophile pornography....
I know, I'm kind of a geek when it comes to things like this... but I have a fascination with quality engineering.What else? I lived on Catalina Island as a kid in the 70's. My amazing grandfather owned a recording studio and a bakery on the island. His studio was located on the second floor in the historic Casino building. No, they don't have gambling in the Casino! The word "casino" actually means "place of gathering". Throughout the island's history it has always been the center for entertainment, as it houses a movie theater, a museum, and the world famous ballroom. My grandfather and my mother used to operate a disco in the ballroom during the 70's. I can still remember the fog machines, the mirrored disco balls, the tacky clothes... it was wonderful!I also remember hanging out with the projectionist in the theater and was fascinated watching films like "Star Wars", "Jaws", "Rocky", "Saturday Night Fever", and "Grease".My grandfather recorded the Raphael Mendez big band orchestra in the ballroom to re-create the sounds of the 1940's to produce the only album ever recorded and produced on the island. Great memories!My family also operated the historic Glenar hotel, but unfortunately the hotel was torn down some years ago due to neglect and disrepair.Unfortunately, the bakery burned down in what was called the worst fire on the island since 1915. I left Avalon for good in 1980, but I dream of someday going back to live once again on that special island. Who knows, maybe I'll spend my retirement on a yacht.