THE PLAYING IT BY EAR RADIO SERIES

PLAYING IT BY EAR Is an experimental radio show that aired internationally on public radio stations around the world. The concept was to solicit submissions from sound artists from around the world to contribute their sounds, which were then mixed and edited to create the thirteen hour-long episodes.

These hypnotic journeys were then mastered on reels of 1/4” Ampex 456 tape for broadcast, and each contributor received a cassette copy of the show where their pieces were used. All of this was funded through a grant from the New York State council on the Arts, the studio time graciously donated by the communications department at SUNY Fredonia and the thoughtful guidance of Dan Berggren.

What I am posting here are the re-mastered shows. Because of the particular tape used, which turns out that the new backing absorbed water while in storage, rendering the tapes unplayable, I had to first “bake” the tapes (method which would require it’s own webpage) before being able to play them. Using an OTARI MX 5500 MKII reel-to-reel, salvaged from the WGRZ Studios in Buffalo (and coincidentally the same model used to record the master tapes) the shows were then digitized and mastered digitally. These are mp3 versions.

*PLEASE NOTE: QUICKTIME PLUG-IN NEEDED FOR THE GRAYBAR UNDERNEATH TO TURN INTO A MUSIC PLAYER.

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 1

SIDE A SIDE B

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 2

SIDE A SIDE B

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 3

SIDE A SIDE B

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 4

SIDE A SIDE B

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 5

SIDE A SIDE B

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 6

SIDE A SIDE B

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 7

SIDE A SIDE B

PLAYING IT BY EAR - SHOW # 8

SIDE A SIDE B

rev 2/10/22

This page dates back to 2016, so it’s showing it’s age. Quicktime is not something that automatically starts playing these mp3 files, and the download pipe of the average user has increased significantly, in my opinion rendering the posting of mp3s moot.