PBS is set to premiere a new series called “Soundbreaking” tonight, focusing on the art and science of recording music, as well as its evolution throughout the 1900’s and 2000’s. The show will cover many areas of the recording process, but perhaps the one that piqued our interest the most was Episode 8. That one will highlight the Grateful Dead and famed audio engineer Betty Cantor-Jackson, according to a post from drummer Mickey Hart.
Hart writes, “Looking forward to the Soundbreaking premiere tonight, a new doc series that celebrates the art and science of music recording. Tune in to PBS tonight at 10/9C. Make sure to watch Episode 8 for an intimate look behind the scenes of the Grateful Dead with Betty Cantor-Jackson.” He also shared a trailer for the series, which you can watch below.
It’s understandable that a series focusing on music recording would examine the Grateful Dead, who had a once-unique relationship with audio tapers eager to preserve live recordings. Unlike any other band at the time, the Dead encouraged tapers to trade their music, ultimately spawning a grassroots following like nothing before. It’s no surprise that so many bands in the scene have since adopted a similar policy, encouraging the sharing of music between fans.
We’re looking forward to getting a closer look at the Grateful Dead’s recording process on this exciting new show!