What was used to record music in the 1950?

Answer 1

In 1950, recording studios owned by the big record companies had tape recorders, but they were too expensive for most independent studios. Smaller studios would record directly to lacquer-coated blanks, just as they did in the 1940s. There would typically be just a few microphones, a mixer and an amplifier driving an electromagnetic cutting head, which carved an undulating groove in the lacquer blank on a lathe.

When recording direct-to-disk, there was little possibility of overdubbing or editing. Any mistakes would require another take. Musicians who caused a need for additional takes usually did not get invited back.

By the mid 1950s, tape recorders became more affordable and studios began to take advantage of the ability to edit and overdub parts. Ampex introduced a 3-track tape recorder which was widely adopted by recording studios by the late '50s. After the tracks were mixed to a master tape, however, it was used to cut a lacquer master disk and the rest of the process was the same as during the direct-to-disk era.

After recording, the lacquer disk was electroplated and used to make a metal master, which was like a negative--it had ridges where the lacquer had grooves. The master would be used to make multiple metal molds called mother disks (positives), and the mother disks would be used to make multiple stamperdies (negatives). All of those transfers were done by electrochemical processes. The stampers were plated with hard metal so that they could withstand pressing thousands of vinyl records in hydraulic presses.

After making the mother matrices, the studio would safely store the master disk in their library. The original lacquer would be discarded.

Answer 2

There were early prototypes of reel-to-reel tape recorders in 1950, but most recording was etched directly to wax discs. Elvis Presley's earliest recordings were done this way.

Answer 3

Yes