Studio

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 a lot 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 equipment as well as the possibility of digital recording. A lounge area and tea kitchen/bar round out the studio space, providing an exceptional, welcoming atmosphere in this special historic location.

Bösendorfer Grand Imperial

For exclusive piano recordings, the legendary Bösendorfer Grand Imperial concert grand piano has been available since 1977, producing a great expressionistic sound. Chosen personally by Friedrich Gulda, it was not at all easy to get the instrument, which weighed 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. Whoever was allowed to play or hear this grand piano will not forget it. Monty Alexander or Cecil Taylor were also among those chosen.

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

Currently, analog recording on 2-track tape “direct-to-tape” is offered in addition to digital recording. 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 as well as historical microphones (Neumann and others) leave nothing to be desired.

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

The analog mixing console is an in-house production of SABA and with its Sitral cassette technology designed for 24 tracks. Only 2 of these were built. One mixer went to Baden-Baden to Südwestfunk, 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 collaboration with the Villingen-Schwenningen municipal heritage office and the state authorities in Freiburg and Stuttgart. In addition, cooperation with universities is planned.