Hands up those who reckon they know five of music's? greatest historical moments and technological innovations?
Surely there would be the usual suspects, the Beatles, Elvis Rolling Stones Motown possibly, Brit Pop even and who could forget the great rock 'n roll swindle of the 70s that was the Sex Pistols but what about delving slightly behind the scenes?
OK, cue drum roll time, lets hear it for the inventor of Acoustic foam!
Now this is a bit of a trick question in many ways as foam rubber has been around in a number of different guises and has actually been around for quite some time.
Now I know that most people at this point will think the boy has completely lost the plot, what on earth is he banging on about and what is the connection between foam rubber and music?
Now the logic behind this inspired line of thinking goes along the line of, it doesn't matter who you are and what you have, you would never make the maximum usage out of it if you are suffering from permanent sleep deprivation.
OK, joking aside, this argument has a lot more logic and substance to it than you would normally think Yes in the entire pantheon of "musical rock 'n roll fame etc then acoustic foam doesn't possibly initially rank up there with other such developments such as Marshall amplification, SSL recording desks etc but there is not a recording studio anywhere in the world that does not have acoustic foam jammed into every nook, cranny and crevice
So, once again, lets hear it for Acoustic Foam!
The bottom line here is that it doesn't matter how good your music is, how talented the band or singers are, if you can't get your music out to the people then you might as well not be there.
As I said, at this point, enter stage left, Acoustic Foam.
Most recording studios in the world are located within some forms of urban location. OK I know there are the exceptions that prove the rule etc like Compass Point, Nassau, George Martin's former place at Montserrat before the Volcano kindly caused them to move (proof if ever there was needed that foam rubber can't solve everything) and Virgins Manor Studios but by and large most studios are located in the mist of urban sprawls.
Take London for instance, you have Air Studios in Oxford Street, You used to have (if it is still there) Virgins Townhouse studios in Goldhawk Road and of course EMI's grand old lady of them all, Abbey Road Studios in?..Abbey Road.
Now, how long do you think these places would have lasted if they had succeeded in permanently annoying the neighbours? About five minutes I reckon knowing some of the neighbours that these places have and so noise reduction is right up there with a decent recording deck.
So folks, if you have finished laughing. I reckon that Acoustic Foam that makes the largest part of internal noise reduction systems is pretty vital?
