The Les Paul Recording Studio, a state-of-the-art facility honoring the legacy of music pioneer Les Paul has opened in Hollywood, California located in the historic United Recording building at 6050 Sunset Blvd. The studio features meticulously restored original equipment used by the legendary inventor and guitarist including his groundbreaking audio console and 8-track recording set up. The studio’s centerpiece is the custom 8-channel mixing console built by Les Paul with Rein Narma in the 1950s. Known as “The Monster,” the innovative console featured in-line equalization and vibrato effects that were cutting-edge. The console is where multi-track recording was born. Alongside the original console sits Paul’s prized Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync machine affectionately called “The Octopus,” which is the first 8-track recorder ever produced. Along with Les Paul’s original recording equipment, the studio also hosts state-of-the-art technologies.
The restored equipment pays homage to how integral they were to Paul’s pioneering multi-track recording techniques which changed the music industry forever. Using this set up in his home studio, Paul created his signature layered guitar sounds and vocal harmonies with his wife Mary Ford.
“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. 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.” – Michael Braunstein
Les Paul’s home studio in his Hollywood garage is where it all started. In the makeshift studio Paul spent years experimenting and perfecting his “New Sound” and developed his revolutionary recording techniques shaping the future of modern music. Multi-track recording, Sound-on-Sound, Close Miking, Overdubbing, Speed Manipulation, Echo and more were pioneered by the genius inventor. And let’s not forget his role in creating the solid-body electric guitar. Les’ work in his Hollywood garage laid the groundwork for modern recording techniques. The Les Paul Recording Studio is such a significant studio for musicians and producers. Those groundbreaking achievements are now available again in the studio sparking a new type of music revolution founded by the legacy of Les Paul.
The Les Paul Recording Studio will also serve as a new way for students to record and study music. The studio is an ideal setting for the next generation of musical artists, producers and engineers to record new music, reimagine catalogs, and find inspiration in the rich history the studio has to offer.
