Le Studio Explained

Le Studio
Opened:1972
Closed:2003
Demolished:2020
Address:Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada

Le Studio (later renamed Studio Morin Heights) was a residential recording studio in the Laurentian Mountains near the town of Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada built in 1972 by recording engineer and producer André Perry, Nick Blagona and Yaël Brandeis. The studio with a Trident console where artists recorded and stayed, was the venue for many notable Canadian and international artists, including Rush (it was nicknamed "Rush's Abbey Road"),[1] The Police, Bee Gees, Chicago, David Bowie, April Wine and Cat Stevens and Vain. Perry described the facility as "like the United Nations. I had people from London, New York, Quebec, all over the world."

Renowned for its retreat-like location as well as its state-of-the-art equipment,[2] it was one of the earliest studios to install a Solid State Logic SL 4000 B mixing console and RADAR digital-recording equipment.[3] Perry sold the studio in 1988. In 2008 the studio had gone out of business, and as of 2015 the property was up for sale.[4] On 11 August 2017, the building was partially destroyed by "a suspicious" fire.[5] The entirety of the complex was demolished in 2020.[6] In 2020, the recording area was demolished, and in 2021, the entire property was cleared and put up for sale for $850,000.

History

André Perry gained fame as a recording engineer working for John Lennon, and in 1974 was looking to expand his studio, built in a downtown Montreal church. He moved to Morin Heights, where he owned a lake, and built his studio there,[3] with his wife, Yaël Brandeis. The idea was to give recording artists a venue where they could record and live in a creative atmosphere, near the Laurentian Mountains:[1] The Bee Gees, who recorded Children of the World (1976) at Le Studio, stayed for five months.[7] Initially it included a guesthouse about a half-hour's drive away, but it was accidentally burned down by Roy Thomas Baker and Ian Hunter, according to studio designer and engineer Nick Blagona. Later, a house across the lake was acquired and expanded.[7] By the early 1980s it had a reputation as a premier recording venue, after Rush, David Bowie, and April Wine had recorded albums there.[8]

As of December 1980, Le Studio had installed a state-of-the-art computerized Solid State Logic SL 4000 B Master Studio System and expanded to 48-track (created from syncing two 24-track tape machines using video interlock). Other upgrades to the studio included the expansion into video work, with the addition of video post-production and editing facilities.[9] [10]

By August 1981, the studio had acquired a JVC BP-90 digital 2-track processor at the choice of André Perry, producer Terry Brown and then-Le Studio staff engineers Paul Northfield and Nick Blagona.[11] It was supposedly first used on a double live LP The Police were mixing at Le Studio that same month,[12] [13] although the André Perry website cites their Synchronicity album as being the one.

In 1986 Le Studio issued stock on the Montreal Exchange looking to acquire funding for building a second studio, with audio and video capabilities in Washington, D.C. 1.1 million shares valued at $3.50 were sold. Perry and Brandeis retained majority interests. They spent $500,000 on a Quantel Mirage digital video effects unit, hoping to install more equipment to allow the recording of sound effects and film music, as well as a Synclavier room.[14]

In 1988 Perry and Brandeis sold the studio,[1] and Perry retired in the early 1990s. The studio, by then called Studio Morin Heights, was acquired in 1993 by L'Equipe Spectra, an entertainment company best known for the Montreal International Jazz Festival which also had a number of local artists on record. Rush and other bands continued to do their tracking there. The new owners also built a new studio room, called "Far Side", which offered a digital RADAR audio recorder and allowed local bands with modest budgets to benefit from the amenities.[3]

The studio was shut down in March 2003 by Spectra.[1] The 233acres site was listed for sale in July 2007, with an asking price of Can$2.45 million.[15] The property remained for sale until 2009, when the land was purchased with the intent to convert the area to a retreat and spa. However, it remained unoccupied, falling into disrepair and was vandalized many times.[16] [17]

A US $2.4 million kickstarter campaign was begun in 2015 to rebuild Le Studio, but only $4,000 was pledged.

On 11 August 2017, the studio's building was partially destroyed by a fire in a suspected case of arson.[18] The residential area of the studio was completely destroyed. The recording area still stood but was severely damaged. Geddy Lee of Rush told the CBC, "it was truly a part of the great Canadian landscape... and literally a home away from home for us. It will always have a special place in our hearts."[19] In October 2020, the remaining parts of the building were demolished.

Other international artists to record at Le Studio include Nazareth, The Police, Sting, Cat Stevens, The Bee Gees, Keith Richards, Kim Mitchell and Bryan Adams. In January 1992 Celine Dion recorded "With This Tear", a song written by Prince and produced by Walter Afanasieff for her Celine Dion album. Rush recorded at Le Studio during "the peak and the end" of the Terry Brown era.[1]

Some of the engineering staff included Nick Blagona,[7] Paul Northfield, Ed Stasium, William Le Gallee Mann, Claude Demers, Leanne Unger, Frank Opolko, Glen Robinson, Robert DiGioia, Paul Milner, Simon Pressey, Jacques Deveau, and George Pelekoudis.

The house and grounds are featured in the music videos of the recording sessions of the Rush songs "Tom Sawyer",[1] "Limelight" and "Vital Signs".[20] The studio is also seen in April Wine's music video for "I Like to Rock." Also, an episode of Popular Mechanics for Kids was taped there, with Elisha Cuthbert demonstrating recording and mixing techniques.[21]

Albums and songs recorded at Le Studio

TitleArtistYear
dans l'air des motsGaston Rochon1974
J'ai vu le loup le renard le lionFelix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault, Robert Charlebois1974
NumbersCat Stevens1975
Children of the WorldThe Bee Gees1976
Morin Heights (named for the location of the studio[22])Pilot1976
1 fois 5 (enregistrement devant public)Robert Charlebois, Yvon Deschamps, Jean-Pierre Ferland, Claude Léveillée et Gilles Vigneault1976
Lavender Hill MobLavender Hill Mob1976
Vladimir VysotskyVladimir Vysotsky1976
Nanette WorkmanNanette Workman1976
Play 'n' the GameNazareth1976
Fountains of LightStarcastle1977
Expect No MercyNazareth1977
"Well, Well," Said the Rocking ChairDean Friedman1978
Street of DreamsLavender Hill Mob1978
Safety in NumbersCrack the Sky1978
Under Heaven Over HellStreetheart1978
Under My ThumbStreetheart1978
Chicago 13Chicago1979
Harder ..... FasterApril Wine1979
Quicksand ShoesStreetheart1980
Permanent Waves[23] Rush1980
ThrillzWalter Zwol & The Rage1980
Ghost in the Machine
- "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" song only
The Police1981
Moving Pictures[24] Rush1981
You Want It You Got ItBryan Adams1981
SignalsRush1982
Straight Between the EyesRainbow1982
Synchronicity (overdubs)The Police1983
AlphaAsia1983
In the RedFist1983
Grace Under Pressure[25] Rush1984
Tonight[26] David Bowie1984
FrictionConey Hatch1985
Boy in the BoxCorey Hart1985
Electric
- "Electric Ocean" song only
The Cult1985
The Dream of the Blue Turtles (overdubs and mixed)Sting1985
Fire Corey Hart1985
The Thin Red LineGlass Tiger1986
Shakin' Like a Human BeingKim Mitchell1986
Between the Earth & SkyLuba1986
Paradox (First album mixed on the new G series console)Paradox1988
Queensrÿche1988
Secrets of the AlibiThe Northern Pikes1988
Big HousesEight Seconds1988
Diamond SunGlass Tiger1988
Talk Is CheapKeith Richards1988
A Show of Hands (live album overdubs)Rush1988
Sur Le Chemin des IncendiesPaul Piché1988
PrestoRush1989
No RespectVain1989
Hell to PayThe Jeff Healey Band1990
When Up Turns To DownDoughboys1991
Roll the BonesRush1991
Good Gone Bad (band vocal recording and mix)The Scramblers1991
GordonBarenaked Ladies1992
With This TearCeline Dion1992
RisqueTerez Montcalm1993
...But You Can Call Me LarryLawrence Gowan1993
CounterpartsRush1993
Fumbling Towards EcstasySarah McLachlan1993
Circle of OneJulie Masse1994
Scenery and FishI Mother Earth1995
MatapédiaKate and Anna McGarrigle1996
No WorriesReset1996
CreatureMoist1996
AlhambraThe Tea Party1996
TransmissionThe Tea Party1997
TriptychThe Tea Party1999
Since AugustSince August2000
The Interzone MantrasThe Tea Party2001
Daylight SavingSUBB2002
Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome To The Tangiers Soap Opera2002

Console history

Source

Le Studio Mobile

First built in 1979, Le Studio Mobile provided recording services for live music and special events. The first truck included a 12-input mixing console and 4-track recording. By 2010, a pair of trucks provided 8 mixing consoles on-board provided a total of 144 microphone inputs and 244 tracks of simultaneous recording permanently installed in a 7.5foot wide 5-ton truck.[28] [29] It was used to record such live albums as Rush's Exit... Stage Left, The Indspire Awards, Hockey Night in Canada and the Montreal International Jazz Festival. The company covered the Juno Awards for more than 23 years, adding a second truck in 2008.[30]

The final large event handled by Le Studio was the Opening, Closing, and Medal Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Through the years Le Studio Mobile evolved with the industry, focusing first on live recorded albums, then audio for DVD productions before moving more into producing audio for live productions while live music productions for HD television brought new business to Le Studio Mobile around 2010, the remote recording business continued to shrink.[31]

As of 2018, Le Studio Mobile had ceased operation.[32] In 2020, the recording area was demolished, and in 2021, the area was cleared and put up for sale for $850,000.[33]

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mobley, Max. Rush FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Greatest Power Trio. 2014. Backbeat. 9781617136047. 259–62.
  2. Myers 95-96.
  3. Studio Morin Heights Reaches Far: Quebec Facility Embraces Int'l, Local Acts . Verna . Paul . 25 February 1995 . . 91 . 4 November 2014.
  4. Web site: Le Studio, Morin Heights for sale after years of neglect . Kilkenny . Carmel . . 9 June 2015 . 18 June 2015.
  5. Web site: Fire destroys legendary Le Studio where Bowie, The Police recorded . . 11 August 2017 . 13 August 2017.
  6. Web site: Dwyer. Greg. Michaels. Bill. 2021-07-14. Iconic 'Le Studio' Where Rush, David Bowie, Chicago, Queensrÿche Recorded Demolished. 2021-10-13. 97X.
  7. Peacock. Ted. July 2011. Interview with Nick Blagona. Journal on the Art of Record Production. 5. 1754-9892.
  8. Sharp 69.
  9. Billboard . Studio Track: Quebec Studio's Computerization. December 20, 1980 . April 10, 2021 . worldradiohistory.com. 78.
  10. Record World . New York, N.Y. . January 10, 1981 . April 10, 2021 . worldradiohistory.com . 32.
  11. Recording Engineer/Producer . Studio Update . August 1981 . April 10, 2021 . 121.
  12. Billboard . October 10, 1981 . Studio Track . April 10, 2021 . worldradiohistory.com . 5 51.
  13. Web site: 1981-12 Musician - PoliceWiki. www.thepolicewiki.org.
  14. Le Studio Issues Stock on Montreal Exchange. LaPointe. Kirk. 16 August 1986. Billboard. 72–73. 4 November 2014.
  15. http://www.naimontreal.ca/PropDocs/domainemorinheights.pdf Sale brochure
  16. News: Le Studio: Legendary Morin Heights recording spot in ruins. Kovac. Adam. 14 August 2015. Montreal Gazette. 15 August 2015.
  17. News: Le Studio: Legendary Morin Heights recording spot in ruins. 14 August 2015. Montreal Gazette. 3 September 2018. en-US.
  18. News: Morin Heights' legendary Le Studio the site of "suspicious" fire . Sidhartha . Banerjee . 11 August 2017 . Montreal Gazette . 11 August 2017 .
  19. Web site: Remembering Le Studio - Rush React After Fire Destroys Studio. News.cygnus-x1.net. 14 December 2017.
  20. http://www.neilpeart.net/news/april_06.html NeilPeart.net
  21. Web site: Popular Mechanics for Kids Season 1 Ep 22 "Music Production". FilmRise. 9 February 2014. 14 May 2023. CTV.
  22. Canada! Quebec Scene Reflects Rich Diversity. 2 October 1976. Billboard. C8–9, 12, 20. 4 November 2014.
  23. Popoff 79-80.
  24. Popoff 94.
  25. Popoff 110-11.
  26. Trynka 432.
  27. Web site: Studios. https://web.archive.org/web/20061216191333/http://www.treesoundstudios.com/studios.htm. treesoundstudios.com. December 16, 2006.
  28. Web site: Le Studio Mobile. www.studiomobile.com. 3 September 2018.
  29. Book: Music directory Canada.. 2001. Norris Whitney. 0969127286. 8th. Toronto. 51375980.
  30. News: Le Studio Mobile, Le 30. September 2009. Mix Magazine. 3 September 2018.
  31. Jones. Sarah. February 2010. Remote Recording Shifting Gears. Mix Magazine. https://web.archive.org/web/20140904104329/http://mixonline.com/post/features/shifting-gears-0210/. 4 September 2014.
  32. Web site: Le Studio Mobile. www.studiomobile.com. 3 September 2018.
  33. Web site: Історія покинутої та забутої студії звукозапису «Bee Gees» 1970-х у лісі — «Le Studio» - ottawa-trend.com. 5 September 2022.