Studio

The MPS studio is a living monument. The first-class sound of the rooms and recording technology have earned this historic location a legendary reputation worldwide, not only in the field of jazz, but also classical, world music and avant-garde.

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Like the stars

Many international musicians have made top-class recordings in this studio: Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Joachim Kühn, Lee Konitz, Friedrich Gulda, George Duke, Singers Unlimited, Dave Pike Set, Hans Koller, Cecil Taylor, Albert Mangelsdorff, Mark Murphy, Volker Kriegel, Jean Luc-Ponty, Baden Powell, John Taylor, Wolfgang Dauner, Charly Antolini and many others.

Most Perfect sound

With plenty of space in the recording room for studio productions and a separate drum room, the MPS studio has enough space for professional sound recordings. The large control room still houses the analog studio technology as well as the possibility of digital recording. A lounge area and a kitchenette/bar round off the studio's facilities and offer an exceptional, welcoming atmosphere in this special historical location.

Bösendorfer Grand Imperial

The legendary Bösendorfer Grand Imperial concert grand has been available for exclusive piano recordings since 1977, producing a fantastic expressionist sound. Chosen personally by Friedrich Gulda, it was not at all easy to get the instrument, which weighs over half a ton, into the studio; parts of the staircase had to be dismantled for it.

The range of the Grand Imperial extends nine semitones further down than usual. Even if the additional notes are not played, they are indirectly set in vibration and give the instrument its characteristic, almost orchestral, sound. Inspired by Busoni's transcriptions of Bach's organ works, Ludwig Bösendorfer took up the challenge of building a grand piano with a full eight-octave range. But Bartok, Debussy and Ravel also composed piano works that exploit the fullness of sound of the Grand Imperial and can only be interpreted faithfully on it.Anyone who was allowed to play or hear this grand piano will never forget it. Monty Alexander and Cecil Taylor were also among the chosen ones.

HAMMOND ORGAN C3 - 1957

The Hammond organ from 1957 is technically in perfect condition and is regularly serviced. It has some special features. We also have two Leslie 122s in the studio.

From analog to digital

In addition to digital recording, we currently also offer analog recording on 2-track tape „direct-to-tape“. In this regard, we work with a selection of sound engineers who perform their craft with love and passion, both analog and digital.

A large selection of new and historical microphones (Neumann and others) leaves nothing to be desired.

In the foreseeable future, analog recordings with the 24-track Ampex and 4-track Telefunken will also be available again.

The analog mixing console was made by SABA and designed for 24 tracks with its Sitral cassette technology. Only 2 of these were ever built. One mixing console went to Südwestfunk in Baden-Baden, the other crowns the control room of the MPS studio.

RESTAURATION

Our technical team is made up of engineers and students. We are developing a concept for the authentic restoration and general overhaul of our analog equipment in cooperation with the Villingen-Schwenningen municipal heritage office and the state authorities in Freiburg and Stuttgart. Cooperation with universities is also planned.