The Les Paul Foundation has made history by opening the doors to the newly restored Les Paul Recording Studio at the historic United Recording facility in Los Angeles, California. After years of tireless effort, the studio is now ready for the next generation of artists to walk in the footsteps of the legendary Les Paul. After years of restoration, research, and archive digging, the Les Paul Foundation has unveiled the Les Paul Recording Studio, as part of the historic United Recording facility in Los Angeles, California. The studio brings back to life the legendary recording equipment that Les Paul invented in the 1950s in the garage of his Hollywood home. The new studio is equipped with the original 8-track mixing console, known as The Monster, and Paul’s Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync 8-track recorder, known as The Octopus. The gear has been revamped to allow it to be hooked up to a digital audio workstation and used as a modern console. The Les Paul Recording Studio is equipped with a number of iconic pieces of equipment that will allow musicians to record using the exact tools that revolutionized popular music. The studio features Paul’s immaculately restored 8-track mixing console, known as The Monster, and Paul’s Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync 8-track recorder, known as The Octopus, which is widely credited as the first-ever 8-track recorder.
- Les Paul’s original 8-track mixing console, known as The Monster
- Paul’s Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync 8-track recorder, known as The Octopus
- A digital audio workstation to allow for modern mixing and recording
- A number of Paul’s early electric guitars for musicians to play and record with
- A vast archive of Les Paul’s photos for inspiration
“It’s like having the Wright brothers’ plane and actually being able to fly it,” says Tom Camuso, director of audio engineering. Camuso’s comment highlights the significance of the Les Paul Recording Studio, as it provides artists with the opportunity to work with equipment that was pivotal in the development of recording technology. The new studio is located in the historic United Recording facility in Los Angeles, California, which is where Paul first invented his recording equipment in the 1950s. After a long stint in the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ, the equipment has now been brought back to Hollywood, where it will be used by artists, producers, engineers, and students. The Les Paul Recording Studio is a unique and innovative space that will welcome musical artists, producers, engineers, and students to a new and exciting studio environment. As Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation, puts it: “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.”
Les Paul’s Legacy Lives On
Les Paul was a true pioneer in the world of music technology, and his legacy lives on through the Les Paul Recording Studio. The studio is not only a tribute to Paul’s innovative spirit but also a testament to his enduring impact on the music industry.
Some of the other perks of the Les Paul Recording Studio include:
- A number of Paul’s early electric guitars for musicians to play and record with
- A vast archive of Les Paul’s photos for inspiration
- A digital audio workstation to allow for modern mixing and recording
- A unique studio environment that is the only one of its kind in the world
As Tom Camuso, director of audio engineering, puts it: “It’s like having the Wright brothers’ plane and actually being able to fly it.” Camuso’s comment highlights the significance of the Les Paul Recording Studio, as it provides artists with the opportunity to work with equipment that was pivotal in the development of recording technology.
The Les Paul Recording Studio is a unique and innovative space that will welcome musical artists, producers, engineers, and students to a new and exciting studio environment. 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.”
| 8-track mixing console, known as The Monster |
| Paul’s Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync 8-track recorder, known as The Octopus |
| Digital audio workstation |
| Early electric guitars for musicians to play and record with |
| Vast archive of Les Paul’s photos for inspiration |
“I believe that the future of music lies in the hands of the next generation of artists. The Les Paul Recording Studio will provide them with the tools and resources they need to create music that is truly innovative and groundbreaking,” says Michael Braunstein, executive director of the Les Paul Foundation.
As the music industry continues to evolve, the Les Paul Recording Studio will remain a vital part of its heritage. The Les Paul Recording Studio is a unique and innovative space that will welcome musical artists, producers, engineers, and students to a new and exciting studio environment.
What’s Next?
The Les Paul Recording Studio is open for business, and we invite all aspiring musicians, producers, engineers, and students to come and experience the magic of Les Paul’s iconic equipment for themselves.
