Studio

Like the stars

Many international musicians* have made world-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 offers ample space for professional sound recordings. The large control room still houses the analog studio equipment and also offers the option of digital recording. A lounge area and a tea kitchen/bar complete the studio space, creating an exceptional, welcoming atmosphere in this unique historic location.

Bösendorfer Grand Imperial

For exclusive piano recordings, the legendary Bösendorfer Grand Imperial concert grand piano has been available since 1977, producing a rich, expressive sound. Chosen personally by Friedrich Gulda, it was no easy task to get the instrument, which weighed over half a ton, into the studio; parts of the staircase had to be dismantled to accommodate it.

The range of the Grand Imperial extends nine semitones lower than usual. Even when 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 on the challenge of building a grand piano with a full eight-octave range. But Bartók, Debussy, and Ravel also composed piano works that exploit the full sound of the Grand Imperial and can only be faithfully interpreted on it. Anyone who had the chance to play or hear this grand piano will never forget it. Monty Alexander and Cecil Taylor were also among those selected.

HAMMOND ORGAN C3 – 1957

The Hammond organ from 1957 is in perfect working order 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 offer analog recording on 2-track tape using the „direct-to-tape“ method. To this end, we collaborate with a select group of sound engineers who approach their craft with love and passion, whether working in analog or digital formats.

A wide selection of both new and vintage microphones (Neumann and others) has everything you could want.

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

The analog mixing console is manufactured in-house by SABA and, featuring Sitral cassette technology, is designed for 24 tracks. Only two of these were ever built. One console was sent to Südwestfunk in Baden-Baden, while the other is the centerpiece of the control room at the MPS studio.

RESTAURATION

Our technical team consists of engineers and students. We are developing a plan for the authentic restoration and comprehensive overhaul of our analog equipment in collaboration with the Villingen-Schwenningen municipal heritage office and the state authorities in Freiburg and Stuttgart. In addition, we plan to collaborate with universities.