"Multitrack recording (MTR) was conceived and developed by Ross Snyder at Ampex in 1955 resulting in the first Sel-Sync machine, an 8-track machine which used 1-inch tape. This 8-track recorder was sold to the American guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor Les Paul for $10,000.
"It became known as the "Octopus." Les Paul, Mary Ford and Patti Page used the technology in the late 1950s to enhance vocals and instruments. From these beginnings, it evolved in subsequent decades into a mainstream recording technique."
--Howard Sanner interview of Russ Snyder, inventor of multitrack recording (March 11, 2000)
Multitracking, double tracking, or tracking—is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources or sound sources recorded at different times to create a cohesive whole.
Multitracking became possible with in the mid-1950s when the idea of simultaneously recording different audio channels to separate discrete "tracks" on the same tape was developed. A "track" was simply a different channel recorded to its own discrete area on tape whereby their relative sequence of recorded events would be preserved, and playback would be simultaneous or synchronized.
A significant technical improvement in the sound recording process, multitrack recording allowed studio engineers to record all of the instruments and vocals for a piece of music separately. This allowed the engineer to adjust the levels and tone of each individual track, and if necessary, redo certain tracks or overdub parts of the track to correct errors or get a better "take."
As well, different electronic effects such as reverb could be applied to specific tracks. Multitrack recording was more than a technical innovation; it also enabled record producers to create new sounds that would be impossible to create outside the studio, such as a lead singer adding many harmony vocals with their own voice to his own lead vocal part, or an electric guitar player playing many harmony parts along with their own guitar solo.
In the 1980s and 1990s, computers provided means by which both sound recording and reproduction could be digitized, revolutionizing audio recording and distribution.
In the 2000s, multitracking hardware and software for computers was of sufficient quality to be widely used for high-end audio recordings by both professional sound engineers and by bands recording without studios using widely available programs such as Garage Band.
YouTube has introduced a widening trend of offering isolated tracks. Some of these YouTube recordings are pretty inferior, some are average, and some are excellent. Many offer interesting listens in that the isolation allows for thorough inspection of the makeup of recordings.
Multitrackmaster.com is a very useful, free site fine for finding iso tracks of multiple genres. Jammit.com is another good outlet to uncover isolated tracks, but there is a fee for this one.
Multitrackmaster recording content resides on third party sites. The master recording owners have the rights to the music, and the site does not host any of the material. Multitrackmaster merely finds it and enables you to access it from third party sites solely for entertainment and educational purposes. It follows all user agreements and posts only authorized links. Advertisements on the site generate money for the music content owners and the video host sites. Multitrackmaster does not make money from the ads.
Special recordings of your favorite artists are likely available at Multitrackmaster. The site offers a "search" option for users to access available tracks. Some of these recordings have leaked from studios, some are multitrack stems created for video games like Rock Band (Xbox), and others have emerged from a variety of "special" sources.
Since the tracks from Multitrackmaster offer dissection of the music, this deconstruction allows most every nuance to be heard. In essence, it allows you to hear "new content" in individual performances from your favorite vocalists and instrumentalists. Some of the recordings are so good that you can hear many "before-hidden" details from the original recordings -- guitar licks, breath and timbre variation on vocal tracks, rim shots on drums ... you name it.
I love to gain new perspectives on recordings. The site typically offers you some information about each recording in addition to the iso tracks. I believe Multitrackmaster is an entertaining, instructive site that anyone who loves music will find enjoyable. I suggest you give it a listen and take advantage of all its resources.
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