Walter Sear

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Walter Edmond Sear (27 April 1930 – 29 April 2010) was an

inventor, composer and film producer. He was considered a pioneer in the use of the synthesizer and an expert on vintage recording equipment.[1] Sear ran the Sear Sound recording studio in Hell's Kitchen,[2] known for its vast collection of vintage analog recording equipment and patronized by artists including Steely Dan, Sonic Youth, David Bowie, Wynton Marsalis, Paul McCartney and Patti Smith
.

Career

Tuba player and designer

Sear started his long and varied career as a classical

freelancer in New York City, playing for 6 years with the Radio City Music Hall
pit orchestra as well as The Symphony of the Air, The Goldman Band, Sound of Music and numerous commercial studios.

In the late 1950s, he became interested in tuba design and began importing European tubas made to his own specifications from the Czech company Cerveny and the Belgian companies De Prins and Mahillion. He sold these tubas from a Manhattan showroom.[3] These tubas, popular because of their relatively low price, unique design and quality workmanship, were typically engraved with the name "Walter E. Sear, NYC" on the bell. Sear estimated that he imported/produced approximately 2000 such instruments. His background in chemistry (Temple University with BA degree from the George Washington University) helped with the metallurgical processes that he innovated. He also held a B.M. from the Catholic University of America and undertook doctoral studies at Columbia University.

Electronic music

In the late 1950s, he became friendly with

R.A. Moog. He encouraged Moog to make his synthesizers more practical; eventually leading (in the late 1960s) to the development of portable synthesizers which could be used during live performances. Sear also became known as a performer and composer (using the Moog synthesizer) for various movie soundtracks including Midnight Cowboy.[4]

Sear's pop compositions were also heard on his Command Records album, The Copper-Plated Integrated Circuit.[5]

Sear Sound

In 1964 Sear built his first recording studio; one of the first commercial electronic music studios.

Hit Factory studio location.[7][8]

Sear Sound is the oldest recording studio in New York City, with more than 285 vintage and contemporary microphones, four rebuilt

Beatles at Abbey Road and one of the earliest Moog synthesizers, built by Sear and Moog.[9][10] Sear Sound is the oldest continuously operated studio in New York.[11] The studio has been used by numerous notable artists, including Steely Dan, Björk, Lenny Kravitz, Yoko Ono, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Wayne Shorter and Norah Jones.[12]

Personal life

Born in

Staff Sergeant. He served at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.. Sear died on April 29, 2010 at the age of 79 in New York City.[1][13]

References

  1. ^
    New York Times
    , 6 May 2010)
  2. ^ Sear Sound NYC - sear sound * 353 west 48th st, new york, ny 10036
  3. ^ a b Walter Sear, Studio Owner and Analog Stalwart, Dead at 80 by Emily Tan (Spinner, 7 May 2010)
  4. ^ In Memorandum: Walter Sear Joins Bob Moog in Analog Heaven (Bob Moog Foundation, 3 May 2010)
  5. ^ Discogs: Walter Sear
  6. ProQuest 963145615
    .
  7. ^ "Sear Sound Moves" (PDF). Studio Sound. September 1988. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  8. ^ Baird, Robert (12 May 2010). "Walter Sear". Stereophile. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  9. ^ Guttenberg, Steve (27 March 2005). "Walter Sear's Analog Rules". Stereophile. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  10. ^ Verna, Paul (1 February 2003). "New York Metro". Mix Magazine. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  11. ^ Davies, Bren (May 2004). "Walter Sear: The Recorded Sound Sucks..." Tape Op. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  12. ^ Bieger, Hannes (December 2012). "Studio File: Sear Sound, New York". Sound On Sound. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  13. ^ Sansano, Nicholas (May 2010). "In Memoriam" (PDF). AES.org. Retrieved 22 March 2024.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_Sear&oldid=1215061232"