{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"Billy Polo: Audio Engineer as Archaeologist","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62bc729dcf1ab400126c1e1b/1781371591008-887f5b85-ceb5-4706-b0df-4663d00a1a7b.jpeg?height=200","description":"

Today, we're putting The Tonearm's needle on Billy Polo, in-house audio and mastering engineer, at iconic Jamaican music label VP Records. Billy has spent years restoring and remastering some of the most important recordings in reggae and dancehall history. Works from Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, King Jammy, Sly and Robbie, and dozens more. Billy works with the original analog tapes, often in rough shape, and brings them back for today’s and tomorrow’s listeners.

We talk about the restoration process, what vintage tape actually sounds like when it's failing, and what Billy's doing to make sure this knowledge doesn't disappear.

(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are Prince Jammy - \"Second Generation\"; Augustus Pablo & King Tubby - \"The Big Rip Off\"; King Tubby with Max Romeo & The Upsetters - \"Three Times Three\" )

—

Dig Deeper

Billy Polo and VP Records:

Artists and Projects Mentioned:

Studios and Labels:

Collaborators and Engineers:

Gear Referenced:

Atmos and Immersive Audio:

—

—

• Did you enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend! You can also rate The Tonearm ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

• Subscribe! Be the first to check out each new episode of The Tonearm in your podcast app of choice.

• Looking for more? Visit podcast.thetonearm.com for bonus content, web-only interviews + features, and the Talk Of The Tonearm email newsletter. You can also follow us on Bluesky, Mastodon, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

• Be sure to bookmark our online magazine, The Tonearm! → thetonearm.com

","author_name":"Lawrence Peryer"}