Aug 17, 2010 3:35 PM

I loved Gene more than I could ever repay, for his easy instruction in the most arcane engineering subjects even when asked on a whim. He found it as easy to be instructive and whimsical, as did he serious engineering, for his physics, mechanics, thermodynamics and more, seemed to be innate in him, such that sharing was quite automatic. This kind of education has immeasurable value.

During Gene's earlier aerospace career at Bendix, he built some of the first solid state power amps, one of which he showed photos of and described as an all-Germanium 20,000-watt pulse amp used for SONAR buoys towed by helicopter. He loved to relate the tale of the helicopter pilot who tested the SONAR buoy the first time out. The amplifier pulse drew so much alternator power that the helicopter dropped 10 feet, scaring hell out of the pilot and causing the instant re-design of the amplifier with an added large capacitor bank to store up and supply the power for the pulses.

Gene also knew all the things I later heard repeated by engineers at JBL, where I went to work in the late ’70s; things like line array physics, infinite line arrays, bass coupling characteristics, tuned pipe and horn acoustics, the psychoacoustics of music and musical and auditory illusions, and on and on—a complete intellect. Also fluent in music and art, Gene widened my young horizons in both areas, for which I am eternally grateful. He had a truly beautiful sense of humor too. It was well developed and he used it to great effect not only to entertain but to make points of argument and to obtain consensus when discussions became heated. He encouraged me not to give up my music just because engineering had captured my attention and passion. Today I am so much more complete because of his encouragement.

Gene Czerwinski was a quiet, confident and powerful but soft-spoken intellect, who was generally dismissive of organizing just about anything. He promoted the value of people learning things through curiosity more than the value of the same information organized into an academic setting. While he appeared quirky and odd to many engineers, those that “got him” were privileged to know a special man who enlightened, entertained and made the world a lot more interesting to those within his circle. I am honored to call myself one of his circle and to have known him. I will miss him more than I know.

Cerwin-Vega CEO Timothy Dorwart remembers Gene Czerwinski on Cerwin-Vega’s Website.

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.