Jump to content

Louis Dorren

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Bay Sound Records)
Louis Dorren
Born1948
DiedOctober 26, 2014
Occupation(s)Audio engineer, record label executive and producer
Known forQuadraphonic broadcasting

Louis Dorren (1948 – October 26, 2014), commonly referred to as Lou Dorren, was an American sound engineer, music producer and inventor. He was also the owner of Bay Sound Records.

In 1969 Dorren invented the Quadraplex system[1] of single station, discrete, compatible four-channel FM broadcasting. He founded Quadracast Systems, Inc. (QSI) of Palo Alto, California, United States to license his patents to RCA and others.

Dorren was awarded more than a dozen patents in the radio communications field, many of which are still in use today.

History and background

[edit]

Dorren's recording experience was starting to develop when at the age of 15 he was recording a local group.[2][3][4] Years later, in the 2000s he would produce and work on recordings for The Beau Brummels and actor / singer Ronny Cox.[5][6]

In the 1970s Dorren was the director of research for Quadracast Systems, located in San Mateo, California. While in that position he made a prediction of sorts that with Discrete CD-4 records that only a single inventory would be required.[7] He was the inventor of the QSI system that sparked up interest in quadraphonic broadcasting.[8]

Dorren was well known to the organizers of the Westcoast Songwriter's Conference, with him and his company sponsoring and supporting the event for years.[9][10] At the 26th annual conference, he hosted a segment in the Xytar room on how to make home recordings sound professional. At the same event he brought actor / singer Ronny Cox to appear at the Xytar Room.[11]

News of death

[edit]

Dorren died on October 26, 2014, from complications of heart and kidney problems. He was 66 years old. His remains were interred at the Salem Memorial Park cemetery in Colma, California.

Companies

[edit]

Bay Sound Records

[edit]

Bay Sound Records was a label that Dorren started in the 1960s. In later years, well in to the 2000s the label would release a recording by The Beau Brummels.[12] Other recordings released in later years were by Canvas with Storyteller,[13] Ragtimers Nan Bostick and Tom Brier with Missing You at the McCoys Bay Sound Records BSR6945,[14] and their other album Dualing at the McCoys.[15]

Xytar Digital Systems

[edit]

In the 2000s he was the CEO of Xytar Digital systems, a company located on Taylor Boulevard in Millbrae, California. Xytar handled remastering of soundtracks, and had done work for Ballet San Jose.[16][17] Albums such as Dualing at the McCoys by Nan Bostick & Tom Brier were recorded with its technology.[18] As well as being a sponsor of the Westcoast Songwriter's Conference for years,[19][20] Xytar was the main or sole sponsor of the WCS International Song Contest in 2004.[21] It was also one of the sponsors for the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) the following year.[22]

Two examples of Xytar recording equipment were the Xytar ADMS 32HD "studio-in-a-box" system and the DMS4848 CDR system that provided simultaneous recording on 48 tracks.[23][24]

Music production

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Around 1964 when he was 15 years old, Dorren was friendly with some guys at his high school who had a band called The Banshees. He produced two singles for them. The first single was "They Prefer Blondes" bw "Take a Ride with Me". The second was "Never Said I Loved You" / "So Hard to Bear. Both singles were released on the SOLO label. Later with Kensington Forest which was a Banshees incarnation of sorts, he produced another single called "Movin’ On" bw "Bells". This was released on the Bay Sound label in 1967.[25][26][27]

later years

[edit]

In 1995, Slyest Freshest Funkiest Rarist Cuts by Sly & The Family Stone was released on the Magical Mystery label. Produced by Leo De Gar Kulka and co-produced by Michael Briggs, it featured four songs plus outtakes recorded by Kulka in August 1967. Dorren handled the transferring of the material.[28] In 2006, Dorren co-produced actor / singer Ronny Cox's live album Ronny Cox At the Sebastiani Theatre. In addition to the production chores, he mixed the album.[29][30][31] Later, he worked on another Ronny Cox album, How I Love Them Old Songs..., as Engineer and handling the Mastering and Mixing.[32][33] Decades later after The Beau Brummels had broken up, remaining members of the band got together with Dorren and recorded a new album that was released on his Bay Sound label in 2013. The album was called Continuum. Sadly Dorren's wishes for all the original members to record weren't possible as the drummer John Petersen died in 2008. They had found three drum tracks of Peterson that had been recorded in 1965. One of them was used and Ron Elliott wrote the words to it and it was made into a song called "She Is.". Further recordings were made and the CD that was released contained 18 tracks.[34][35][36] The album was recorded over a period of a year and a half. It was recorded with his own designed equipment at his studio in Alameda, California.[37]

Quadraphonic

[edit]

Broadcasting

[edit]

Hi system helped radio station KIOI FM make broadcasting history when the station did the first discrete quadraphonic broadcast.[38] In 1974, Dorren who was still a college student at the time assisted radio station owner Jim Gabbert in the broadcast. Along with Gabbert's homemade equipment and Gabbert's station manager Mike Lincoln, they conducted the experimental broadcast. As a result of the tests, an application for discrete quad broadcasting was made to the (FCC) Federal Communications Commission. Assistance was sought from the Electronics Industries Association by the FCC to help just as was done with stereo broadcasting. A National Quadraphonic Committee was formed. On the 22nd of September that year, further on air tests were conducted at KIOI-FM. Along with radio engineers there were people from companies such as General Electric, Zenith, Nippon Columbia and RCA, and Quadracast Systems. As of October, 1974, the company was headed by Dorren. Between the 23rd and 27th of that month, guideline tests were conducted. Following that, the quad tests were launched.[39]

CD-4 1970s

[edit]

In 1973, Dorren was working with Jac Holzman, president of Elektra Records, in relation to the CD-4 system and its relationship to the records. In an interview Holzman said that Lou had built him a demodulator, and Holzman who had previewed others said that Lou's was the best he'd heard.[40]

In the mid 1970s, CD-4 demodulator kit was offered by Southwest Technical Products. It was designed by Dorren. Also offered was an optional Technics" EPC-451C cartridge and a test record he had recorded for Southwest Technical Products. Readers of the Popular Electronics magazine in which the items were advertised could send away for them. Products Corp.[41] In 1974, Dorren was at a party with his fiancé Nancy Bostic. Other guests included Claude Hall from Billboard Magazine, Casey Casem, and Tom Rounds. Dorren had a chance to demo his IC chip CD-4 Discrete Quadracast Systems demodulator. At that time there were only two of them in existence. And only a few people had heard them in action.[42]

CD-4 2000s

[edit]

In 2007, 33 years after his first CD-4 demodulator, Dorren designed a new one with the technology of the day in mind.[43]

Discography list as producer

[edit]
Singles
Act Title Label and catalogue Year Notes
The Banshees "They Prefer Blondes" / "Take a Ride With Me" Solo 1 1965
The Banshees "Never Said I Loved You" / "So Hard to Bear" Solo 2 1965 [44][45][46][47]
Kensington Forest "Bells" / "Movin' On" Bay Sound 6901 1967
The Styx "Hey, I'm Lost" / "Puppetmaster Onyx 2200 1967
The Tears "Rat Race" / "People Through My Glasses" Onyx 2201 1968
Weird Harold "Saratoga James" / "Just Yesterday" Onyx 2202 1968
Gypsum Heaps "Would You Love" / "Moving On" Onyx 2203 1968 [48]
Sweet Thunder "Bean Whistle Rag" / "I Never Wanted To Be A Woman" Soundbird SB1-XB 1975 CD-4 record[49][50][51]
Louis Dorren & James Gabbert Quadraphonic, 4 Channel / 2 Channel Test Record Soundbird SB4X-002 1975 CD-4 record[52][53]
Albums
Act Title Label and catalogue Year Notes
Canvas Storyteller Bay Sound Records BSR7311 2003 [54]
Various Artists Love Is The Song We Sing
(San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970 		Rhino Records R2 165564 2007 Original producer on Track: "Hey I'm Lost"
by Butch Engle & The Styx[55]
Ronny Cox At The Sebastiani Wind River Records RCO4040D 2008 [56]
The Beau Brummels Continuum Bay Sound Records BSR9165 2013 [57][58]

Discography list as technician, engineer, mastering etc

[edit]
Albums
Act Title Label and catalogue Year Role Notes
Active Ingredient Building Houses Bainbridge BCD-2101 1988 Engineer, Post Production Engineer [59][60]
Michael Lee Thomas Fresh Out Of Nowhere Bainbridge Records BCD6281 1989 Technician [61]
Sunday Only Steam Railroading under Thundering Skies Bainbridge BCD-6242 1993 / 1994 Audio remastering Co-masterer with Leo De Gar Kulka[62]
Various artists Crystalize Your Mind Big Beat Records CDWIKD 131 1994 Technician
The Mermen Food For Other Fish Kelptone Records 0001 1994 Remastering
Sly & The Family Stone Slyest Freshest Funkiest Rarist Cuts Magical Mystery 00002 1995 Transferring [63]
Canvas Storyteller Bay Sound Records BSR7311 2003 Artwork design, liner notes [64]
Mystic Moods Orchestra Mystic Moods Orchestra Plays Nighttide HDS 4502 2004 Remastering
Mystic Moods Orchestra More Than Music HDS 4503 2002 Remastering [65]
Ronny Cox How I Love Them Old Songs...
Ronny Cox Sings Mickey Newbury 		Bay Sound BSR9606 2007 Engineer, Mastering, Mixing Also released on Wind River 4041 in 2009[66][67]
Ronny Cox At The Sebastiani Theatre Wind River WR4040CD 2008 Mixing [68]

Further reading

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Electronic Design. 19 (10–18). Hayden Pub. Co. 1971. A possible solution to broadcasting is in an experimental Quadraplex system for FM transmission and reception of all types of discrete four-channel sound. Invented by Lou Dorren, vice president and director of research at.... {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ Garage Hangover The Banshees / Ariel / Kensington Forest
  3. ^ Cosmic Mind at Play May 20, 2014 Garage Gold #27: The Banshees – They Prefer Blondes / Take a Ride With Me (1965)
  4. ^ Louder Than War 14 February 2011 Back In the Garage: The Banshees – ‘They Prefer Blondes’ by John Robb
  5. ^ Benzinga March 27, 2013 The Beau Brummels are back with a new CD release "Continuum" -
  6. ^ Artist Direct Lou Dorren > Overview
  7. ^ Billboard Magazine April, 1972 Page 14, Radio-TV programming - NAB's $64 Query: Which Quadrasonic System to Use?
  8. ^ Billboard Magazine August 10, 1974 Page 46 Industry Focus on KIOI Quadracast FCC Studies by Claude Hall
  9. ^ AMFIBI Xytar Digital System
  10. ^ West Coast Songwriters Page 5, A message from Ian Crombie, WCS Executive Director Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ West Coast Songwriters Page 3, WCS Conference Program • SUNDAY • Hosted by SESAC & Page 14, XYTAR Brings Ronny Cox to the Conference Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ The Beau Brummels Story Once Upon A Time Back In The Day Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Tower Records Storyteller
  14. ^ Rocky Mountain Ragtime Festival COMPACT DISC REVIEW by Jack Rummel Missing You at the McCoys
  15. ^ CD Baby Nan Bostick & Tom Brier > Dualing at the McCoys
  16. ^ AMFIBI Xytar Digital System
  17. ^ Ballet San Jose SOME TIMES DIANA AND ACTEON THE LESSON MOMENTS, May 5 - 8, 2005 Page 5, MOMENTS
  18. ^ CD Baby Nan Bostick & Tom Brier > Dualing at the McCoys Album Notes -- Lewis Motisher, editor and reviewer, Sacramento Ragtime Society
  19. ^ AMFIBI Xytar Digital System
  20. ^ West Coast Songwriters Page 5, A message from Ian Crombie, WCS Executive Director Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Bend Bugle January 1, 2004 Press Releases West Coast Songwriters group organized
  22. ^ Country Music News - January / February 2005 Page 4, 2004 INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
    LISTEN AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SONG
  23. ^ Digital Media Online An All-In-One Audio Workstation In Every Room Page 3 By Randy Alberts
  24. ^ New Bay Media, Mix Online 4/01/2001 An All-In-One AUDIO WORKSTATION In Every Room - Author: RANDY ALBERTS
  25. ^ Garage Hangover The Banshees / Ariel / Kensington Forest
  26. ^ Cosmic Mind at Play May 20, 2014 Garage Gold #27: The Banshees – They Prefer Blondes / Take a Ride With Me (1965)
  27. ^ Louder Than War 14 February 2011 Back In the Garage: The Banshees – ‘They Prefer Blondes’ by John Robb
  28. ^ Discogs - Sly & The Family Stone – Slyest Freshest Funkiest Rarist Cuts
  29. ^ Folk Era Ronny Cox Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ HBDirect.com Ronny Cox: Ronny Cox at the Sebastiani Theatre Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ CD Universe Ronny Cox At the Sebastiani Theatre 2 CD Set CD
  32. ^ All Music Ronny Cos How I Love Them Old Songs...
  33. ^ HB Direct Ronny Cox: How I Love Them Old Songs... Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ Wow HD Continuum
  35. ^ The Beau Brummels Story Once Upon A Time Back In The Day Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Benzinga March 27, 2013 The Beau Brummels are back with a new CD release "Continuum" -
  37. ^ Hollywood Hills Group Dorren Matters
  38. ^ Billboard, March 19, 1977 SF-8 Creative College
  39. ^ Billboard, October 5, 1974 - Page 60 Radio-TV Programming IN SAN FRANCISCO, Gabbert Leading 'Q' Radio Race By Claude Hall
  40. ^ Billboard, August 25, 1973 General News, HOLZMAN INTERVIEW: W/E/A Allocates 250 G's To Bow Quadrasonic LP; Eyed as Aid to 2-Channel
  41. ^ Popular Electronics, October 1975 AmericanRadioHistory.com, 1975 O Page 2, SWTPC CD-4 Demodulator
  42. ^ Billboard, August 17, 1974 - Radio-TV Programming, Vox Jox By CLAUDE HALL
  43. ^ High Performance 2007 CD-4 Demodulator by Lou Dorren Copyright Louis Dorren 2007
  44. ^ Garage Hangover The Banshees / Ariel / Kensington Forest
  45. ^ Cosmic Mind at Play May 20, 2014 Garage Gold #27: The Banshees – They Prefer Blondes / Take a Ride With Me (1965)
  46. ^ Louder Than War 14 February 2011 Back In the Garage: The Banshees – ‘They Prefer Blondes’ by John Robb
  47. ^ 45Cat - The Banshees (California) - Discography
  48. ^ 45 Cat Lou Dorren
  49. ^ The Surround Discography S
  50. ^ Popsike "SOUNDBIRD" RECORDS--SWEET THUNDER--45rpm**CD-4 QUAD/STEREO COMPATIBLE--HTF!!
  51. ^ 45Cat - Sweet Thunder - Discography
  52. ^ The Surround Discography S
  53. ^ Popsike Dorren &Gabbert CD4 Quadradisc 4/2 Channel Test LP 1975
  54. ^ Discogs - Bay Sound Records
  55. ^ Discogs - Various – Love Is The Song We Sing (San Francisco Nuggets 1965-1970)
  56. ^ Folk Era Ronny Cox Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  57. ^ Discogs - Bay Sound Records
  58. ^ WebWire, Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - The Beau Brummels are back with a new CD release “Continuum“
  59. ^ AllMusic - Active Ingredient, Building Houses, Credits
  60. ^ muziekweb - Building houses, Active Ingredient
  61. ^ Discogs Lou Dorren, Technical
  62. ^ All Music Sunday Only Steam Railroading under Thundering Skies Credits
  63. ^ Discogs Lou Dorren, Technical
  64. ^ Discogs - Bay Sound Records
  65. ^ Amoeba Music Lou Dorren
  66. ^ AllMusic - Ronny Cox, How I Love Them Old Songs..., Releases
  67. ^ AllMusic - Ronny Cox, How I Love Them Old Songs..., Credits
  68. ^ Fishpond - At the Sebastiani Theatre * By Ronny Cox, Performer Notes
[edit]
Discussions in the 2000s in anticipation of Lou's new CD-4 demodulator
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Louis_Dorren&oldid=1247258785"