A state-of-the-art studio created to honour the legacy of legendary inventor and audio pioneer Les Paul has opened in Los Angeles.
The studio is located in the historic United Recording building at 6050 Sunset Blvd and features meticulously restored original equipment used by the legendary inventor and guitarist.
No doubt, the centrepiece of the studio is Les Paul’s groundbreaking audio console and 8-track recording set up referred to as ‘The Monster’, which he built with Rein Narma in the 1950s. Sitting alongside the original console is his prized Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync machine affectionately known as ‘The Octopus’, the first 8-track recorder ever produced.
The studio is now open for use by the next generation of musicians, whether they are recording or studying music.
“We’ve painstakingly restored Les Paul’s original gear to working condition, allowing today’s artists to record using the exact tools that revolutionized popular music,” says producer and engineer Michael Braunstein in a press release. “Combined with the newest technology and digital recording tools, the Les Paul Recording Studio will welcome musical artists, producers, engineers and students to a new and innovative studio environment that is the only one of its kind in the world.”
Paul was responsible for pioneering a series of revolutionary recording techniques that would massively shape popular music to come. These included multi-track recording, sound-on-sound, close miking, overdubbing, speed manipulation, echo and more. Of course, he also had a prominent role in creating the solid body guitar. His prototype, the Log, served as the inspiration for the iconic guitar that bears his name, the Gibson Les Paul. Paul died in 2009 at the age of 94.
Learn more about the Les Paul Recording Studio at les-paul.com.
