Walter Edmond Sear (27 April 1930 – 29 April 2010) was anAmericanrecording engineer, musician, instrument importer and designer,inventor,composer andfilm producer. He was considered a pioneer in the use of thesynthesizer and an expert on vintage recording equipment.[1] Sear ran the Sear Soundrecording studio inHell's Kitchen,[2] known for its vast collection of vintageanalog recording equipment and patronized by artists includingSteely Dan,Sonic Youth,David Bowie,Wynton Marsalis,Paul McCartney andPatti Smith.
Sear started his long and varied career as a classicaltuba player. After 4 years at theCurtis Institute of Music, he occasionally subbed as the tuba player for thePhiladelphia Orchestra. He later worked as afreelancer in New York City, playing for 6 years with theRadio City Music Hall pit orchestra as well as The Symphony of the Air, The Goldman Band, Sound of Music and numerous commercial studios.
In the late 1950s, he became interested in tuba design and began importing European tubas made to his own specifications from the Czech companyCerveny and the Belgian companies De Prins and Mahillion. He sold these tubas from a Manhattan showroom.[3] These tubas, popular because of their relatively low price, unique design and quality workmanship, were typically engraved with the name "Walter E. Sear, NYC" on the bell. Sear estimated that he imported/produced approximately 2000 such instruments. His background in chemistry (Temple University with BA degree from theGeorge Washington University) helped with the metallurgical processes that he innovated. He also held a B.M. from theCatholic University of America and undertook doctoral studies atColumbia University.
In the late 1950s, he became friendly withRobert Moog after buying parts from him for a home-madetheremin. In the early 1960s, Sear used his music industry connections to become one of the earliest sales and distribution partners ofR.A. Moog. He encouraged Moog to make his synthesizers more practical; eventually leading (in the late 1960s) to the development of portable synthesizers which could be used during live performances. Sear also became known as a performer and composer (using theMoog synthesizer) for various movie soundtracks includingMidnight Cowboy.[4]
Sear's pop compositions were also heard on hisCommand Records album,The Copper-Plated Integrated Circuit.[5]
In 1964 Sear built his first recording studio; one of the first commercial electronic music studios.[3] In 1972, the studio moved to theParamount Hotel at 235 West46th Street, nearTimes Square in theTheater District ofMidtown Manhattan inNew York City in 1971.[6] In 1988, the studio moved to larger recording facilities on the 6th floor of 353 West 48th Street, a formerHit Factory studio location.[7][8]
Sear Sound is the oldest recording studio in New York City, with more than 285 vintage and contemporary microphones, four rebuiltStuder recorders used by theBeatles atAbbey Road and one of the earliest Moog synthesizers, built by Sear and Moog.[9][10] Sear Sound is the oldest continuously operated studio in New York.[11] The studio has been used by numerous notable artists, includingSteely Dan,Björk,Lenny Kravitz,Yoko Ono,David Bowie,Lou Reed,Wayne Shorter andNorah Jones.[12]
Born inNew Orleans, Louisiana, Sear moved with his family toJackson Heights, Queens at the age of one. Sear received anHonorable Discharge from the regularUnited States Air Force with the rank ofStaff Sergeant. He served atBolling Air Force Base inWashington, D.C.. Sear died on April 29, 2010 at the age of 80 in New York City.[1][13]
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