Past RCA Event Changes the Way Records Are Preserved and Restored

PAST RCA EVENT SPARKS NEW COMPANY AND CHANGES THE WAY RECORDS ARE PRESERVED AND RESTORED

The 2017 Radio Club of America Banquet and Technical Symposium held in Pittsburg included a special visit for RCA members to the studios and transmitter site of radio station KDKA. At that time, RCA Board Member and Director Charles Kirmuss was studying the effect of ultrasonic cavitation and industry cleaning methods used on vinyl LP records.

KirmussAudio record restoration device.

Some of the LP records in the basement of KDKA’s broadcasting station.

KDKA’S TRANSMITTER BASEMENT

Kirmuss snooped around the basement of KDKA’s transmitter site where he discovered piles of old station records. Hidden away for more than 60 years were thousands of lacquered 33 1/3 transcript LPs. In those days, broadcast stations used either magnetic tape recording methods or primarily the etching of sound on materials such as aluminum that, once lacquered, were used for re-broadcast. Some stations had no staff in the “midnight hours” and only maintained a switchboard operator and engineers, so these recordings were used in place of live performances.

ORIGINAL RECORDINGS AND THEIR RESTORATION

KDKA’s basement records were made in the KDKA studio using simple techniques. They were brittle and not intended for long term preservation, and they could be replayed only for 4 or 5 times before degradation occurred. Similar to an LP, these transcript recordings were coated with mold and fungus. Yet, they provide a sampling of Pittsburgh area radio history, and many include pre-recorded programming and commentary. RCA’s tour and Kirmuss’ chance visit to KDKA resulted in Kirmuss developing his now award winning record restoration process. Development took two years, and he formed a new company, KirmussAudio, to make the process available to the public. Kirmuss is now gaining recognition for his record restoration process by the Recording Academy.

Pre-restoration view of LP showing mold and fungus in the LP’s grooves.

Post-restoration view of LP showing clear LP grooves.

FUTURE WORK

Earlier this year, RCA was planning to hold its 2020 Banquet and Technical Symposium in Pittsburg to celebrate KDKA’s centennial broadcast of the HardingCox U.S. presidential election results on November 2, 1920. As a gesture to KDKA for their hospitality in 2017, KirmussAudio donated a record cleaning and restoration system to KDKA to revive its archives. KDKA and Kirmuss hope to digitize their restored recordings, and then share KDKA’s recorded history for all to enjoy. Now an Entercom Station, KDKA describes itself as the “Pioneer Broadcasting Station of the World.” Many of the recordings in KDKA’s basement may be true gems of history, yet to be KirmussAudio record restoration device: rediscovered by a serial number 1 off the assembly line domodern audience. nated to KDKA with special plaque.