Command Records was a record label founded by Enoch Light in 1959 and later associated with ABC-Paramount Records. Light produced a majority of the artists releases in the labels catalog. The company focused on producing records targeted at audiophiles. Command Records often featured abstract covers, in their early years all covers were designed by Josef Albers, whose student Charles E. Murphy served as design director. Later covers that seemed to be knock off's of Albers work were used once the label was sold. Several are in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 1965, Light sold the Command record label, which had released the series, to ABC Records, which itself was subsequently sold to MCA Records. After the sale to ABC, the quality of those records plummeted dramatically. The signature gatefold format was immediately discontinued; the covers changed to budget labels and the discs themselves pressed on recycled vinyl. When ABC Records issued quadraphonic records in the 1970s, they were issued on the Command label. In 1975 the series were completely discontinued.
Recording technique
While the recording industry had made magnetic tape the standard for recording music for release on vinyl, Command's albums were recorded magnetically onto 35mm film. Magnetic sound-on-film recording, using special film stock fully coated with iron oxide, had replaced optical sound-on-film recording in the 1950s when wide-screen and stereophonic sound became standard for Hollywood movies. Light used the width of the film strip to create multitrack recordings, as opposed to the more limited two or three tracks offered by most recording studios at the time; the slightly higher linear speed provided an advantage in analog fidelity and the sprocket-driven film avoided the "wow and flutter" problems associated with tape recording. This enabled Light to record more instruments individually and adjust their audio input levels, as well as their stereo position.
Command test record
The Command test record was an LP album produced by Command Records in 1960. It contained recordings designed to allow users to test their stereo equipment.
Album details
Like many other Command records, the Stereo Check Out came in a gatefold cover with extensive liner notes and full technical data inside. Charles Stark narrated both sides, providing both technical details and information about the musical instruments used on the tracks on Side Two.
Side one
Side One of this LP consists of turntable tests. An oscilloscope is a useful tool when used in conjunction with these tests:
