I mentioned Junior Kimbrough’s influence on The Black Keys the other day. A less obvious influence on the band was the music of the Beatles. I guess “She Said, She Said” is really a blues song after all, so it’s not a huge stretch of the imagination. The song can be found on the band’s 2002 debut album The Big Come Up which was recorded, produced, and mixed by Dan and Patrick using “medium fidelity” recording techniques, such as using tape recorders and analog effects.
I don’t know what that means, but Wikipedia told me all about it. I’m sure Shirk is grinning ear to ear watching me attempt studio speak. Let’s just enjoy the track.
The Black Keys - She Said She Said
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Medium Fidelity…hummm. Not exactly sure what that means either. Most people that choose analog recording devices and effects do so because they impart a sound. Many call it “warmth”…but that’s about as descriptive as the word “Indie” is to music. I think it’s pretty much a given that all The Black Keys recordings involve the use of analog tape and analog processes, not because of a superiority to digital formats, but because of the sound that the medium itself imparts on the recording. That tape “warmth” or “glue”.
High Fidelity tape recorders would be those of the 1″ and 2″ formats from AMPEX, STUDER, MCI, etc…the pro level stuff. Perhaps a “Medium -Fidelity” device would be an equivalent of the consumer-grade analog devices of the late 70’s and 80’s…like those 1/4″- 4 and 8 track reel to reel tape recorders? They have a sound, plenty of vibe…and some inconsistencies that keep them from being considered “high-fidelity”. That’s the best that I can make of it. Please correct me if I got it wrong.
Now that I got my nerd out, let me get back to my soldering iron.
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