Recording Notes

To complete the many songs
Needed for their double-LP
The Beatles recorded regularly during twenty
Weeks from 30th May to 16th October 1968 the
Final studio date was
A 24-hour marathon session to
Create the running order
For the four sides of the album and
The edit's and cross-fades between the
Songs the sessions mark
An important turning point in
Their recording career
Because it was during this
Period that The Beatles
First recorded on an eight track tape machine

Since 1964, the group had used four track for
All their album albums by but 1966
They found their musical arrangements usually
Required more tracks than were
Available the solution was the create
Extra ones by copying
The first four tracks to a
Second blank tape and
Simultaneously mixing some of them
Together to leave free
As many racks as were needed for addition
Overdubs 'Bouncing Down' was a time consuming
Process because the tracks that were being
Mixed together would form part of
The final sound balance of the completed song
So it was important to be
Satisfied with the mix
Before overdubbing commenced
With eight tracks now available
The problem was eliminated - until
Even more were needed

Work began on the album
Using four tracks and
While some songs could be confined to these
Most had
To be 'bounced down' to a second, third, or
Even - as with 'Revolution 1' and 'Ob-LA-Di
Ob-La-Da' - a fourth tape the Beatles' first
Experience of using an eight track
Recording at Abbey Road was during a
Session on 3rd September for 'While
My Guitar Gently Weeps' as it had
Been started on four track the
Master was transferred to an eight track
Machine to allow further overdubbing

However, 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'
Was re-recorded on eight track
From scratch two days later
With a guest appearance
By Eric Clapton and completed on
6th September with several
Overdubs george's decision to ask
A friend to play
On his song was a significant
One although The Beatles
Had previously used other musicians
On their sessions, they
Had been from other areas of
Music such as classical
Jazz or Indian music for the first time
Here was a star musician performing on an
Instrument already featured in the group

The album's long sessions would often
Begin in the afternoon
And continue until daybreak the
Next morning there
Were also occastions when two
Songs were recorded at
The same time in separate studios in July
Engineer Geoff Emerick left the sessions
And did not work
With the group again until nearly a year
Later the Abbey Road ken Scott
Who has first sat at the
Mixing desk for some of the
Magical Mystery Tour songs
Recored and mixed two
Thirds of 'The White Album' for one week
George Matin relinquished his seat
In the room so that he could
Take a holiday and, consequently
His 21-year old production assistant
Chris Thomas supervised sessions