#hvr104

And Peripheral Dire Erratica in Barclay

by Choco “Gunt” McChocChoc PR Special Correspondent

The dubbing of the HVR-104 master tape was an exciting affair preceded by a tour of the premises at Seitch Barclay, Stone’s approval of the bonus material and the packaging, and the consumption of modest amounts of tobacco and Budweiser. Stone and I were joined by two jolly specialists representing HVR. During the high-bias dub four gunshots were heard nearby and the HVR faction, Stone and myself included, put the actual duplication phase on hold long enough to ascertain balance in the distressing situation. Indeed the incident had occurred so close that a moment after I’d heard hurried footsteps and a voice hissing “yeah—come on—go...,” as two persons escaped in the alley behind the 22 nd and a half block of Barclay. Soon four police cars, an ambulance, and a full-size fire engine gathered out front of the building, and a pair of helicopters, waving searchlights, joined them above. Two policemen and one detective asked what we’d heard and seen. Eventually the mood stabilized to the point that our business could continue without disrespect to the man who had been rushed to the hospital. We watched as the HVR sprite loaded a series of green, mono cassettes into the duplicator and pressed play; the identity of the slot designated ORIG was transferred at high speed to the green blanks, C-20s. The duplicator, HVR’s to use by grace of a long term arrangement with Apartment 421 Tapes, works almost chiefly through a series of satisfying whirrs and clunks, sounds of the cooling fan (always activated) and industrial-standard recording heads moving simultaneously between active and inactive conditions. Following the machine’s blessing each cassette would be hand-lettered and fitted into a jewel case with a color J-card wrapped around it. This we left to the representatives of HVR; Stone and I escaped Barclay unscathed after the dubbing process was complete.