The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

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Steve E.
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The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28806Unread post Steve E.
Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:59 am

Our forum member David Hersk (dhersk) doesn't post here too often. Here is an article on his recording work of the 1950s and 1960s, which was crucial in documenting the bands of Minneapolis, Minnesota of the day.

Does anyone else on this board live near him? It might be nice to start doing some interviews, video or otherwise, with these record cutting veterans. Anyone want to dive in here?

There IS actually an podcast-style interview with him on this page....I'm going to check it out now, but it couldn't hurt to do another one!


http://minniepaulmusic.com/?page_id=3356

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https://www.facebook.com/dhersk/media_set?set=a.10150444782721411.423548.669326410&type=1

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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28808Unread post Steve E.
Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:04 am

In his interview, he progresses through this equipment:

Part 1:

2:10 Wilcox-Gay Recordette, (single-arm recorder/player) (1951)
5:20 Wilcox-Gay Recordette 3 (which has three speeds)
(https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1198&p=25755#p25755)
9:40 Presto 6N with Grampian/Gotham cutting system (talks about Rek-o-kuts)
(https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=113#p428)
(https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=70#p418)
10:30 upgrade from Magnichord PT-6 tape deck to Ampex 350 (monaural)
11:00 builds recording studio
12:30 records pressed by Shelly Products of NY injection molding
(https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=977&p=4020#p4020)
17:00 Neumann Lathe AM31-A (in 1958)

The rest of the interview is great. It deals more with bands he recorded.

I may have missed it in the interview, but in the text it appears he also had a Rek-O-Kut Challenger Disc Recorder, and then a 3 speed Rek-O-Kut Imperial before moving onto the Presto.

http://minniepaulmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/01-Interview-PART-ONE.mp3
http://minniepaulmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/02-Interview-PART-TWO.mp3

The Jades:
http://minniepaulmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/19-Blue-Black-Hair.mp3

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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28809Unread post Steve E.
Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:16 am

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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28810Unread post Steve E.
Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:19 am

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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28811Unread post Steve E.
Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:26 am

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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28812Unread post Steve E.
Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:49 am

Preceded Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn theme by several months:
Not to be confused with Tacoma's later Sonics:

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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28813Unread post Steve E.
Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:53 am

This is great stuff!

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Greg Reierson
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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 28818Unread post Greg Reierson
Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:43 pm

Dave is a very good friend of mine and partly responsible for getting me into the cutting biz in the first place. I'll let him know about this thread. I'm sure he'll chime in.
Greg Reierson
http://www.RareFormMastering.com
VMS70 :: SAL74B :: SX74

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RIP David Hersk

Post: # 43560Unread post Steve E.
Mon Aug 15, 2016 12:32 am

I hae been informed that David Hersk passed away on July 19th. I am very sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace, David.

http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/147099/?fullname=david-s-hersk

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Greg Reierson
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Re: The recordings of David Hersk/Gaity Records

Post: # 43561Unread post Greg Reierson
Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:00 am

David was such a great guy. Always positive and excited about whatever he was up to. He had health problems off and on but the aggressive nature of his cancer was a surprise.

He was an audio enthusiast to the very end - wanting to talk about cutting records and working on a licensing deal for some of his old catalog music. Still a go-getter even when he knew he had months to live.

He was the real thing.
Greg Reierson
http://www.RareFormMastering.com
VMS70 :: SAL74B :: SX74

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