How do two strangers from the opposite side of the globe, present a program to the world and change the recording industry?
Paavo was busy developing a software based tool that could capture the spectral content of music and allow an individual to both see and manipulate the data.
On the other side of the world Earle was on a quest to devise a method that would allow all engineers to master the somewhat complicated process of equalization which can sometimes be both challenging and time consuming.
After months of research Earle was searching the internet and their paths crossed.
He downloaded the test software loaded a track and almost fell out of his chair. There it was right in front of him, flaws in the spectral content of the music and the means to immediately correct it. For almost a year and a half they communicated daily. Paavo, further tweaking the program so that it was more user friendly, and Earle, using it as part of his mastering chain, meanwhile giving feedback to Paavo and noticing how his clients were commenting positively on the newer fullness of their music.
August 15th 2003, Har-Bal was launched and immediately created a buzz in the recording industry. Could this piece of software truly be that powerful? It wasn’t until Earle met Craig Anderton at the AES convention in New York that things really took off. Craig tested the software and two weeks later contacted the Har-Bal team and informed them that he is recommending Har-Bal for EQ’s Magazine coveted “EQ Exceptional Quality Award”.
The rest is history…