Photos of newly renovated EASTWEST Studios (formally Western/Cello Studios)

[aermotor]

1 word: Lavish

[drBill]

Originally Posted by Doug Rogers

Thanks!

You'll be pleased to know that we never changed the actual studios, they already had a magical sound that we wanted to preserve, we fixed a few broken panels, did some general maintenance, added new lighting, the power was completely shot and we replaced the power in the entire building with hospital grade power that the vintage Neve's and newly acquired Trident A Range will love, sent all mics out to be tested etc. etc. - a new lease on life that will hopefully last another 50 years.

- DR

Thanks Doug!!! Great to know. I'd hate for that slice of history to be lost.

Are you open to outside sessions??

Now, if I can just get past the lobby and lounges.......


bp

[reid]

There's a scary similarity between the aesthetic of the lounges and other rooms here, and the GUI of the various PLAY products. Debatable if that's a good thing or not, of course....

I swear I saw most of those knick-knacks, drapes and pieces of furniture at the Michael Jackson fire sale Doug - did you buy a job lot from the auctioneers?

[Cellotron]

Kind of an LA rocker's version of a red velvet / green neon bordello type of decor - but done a lot more classy than the way that sentence reads.

No way in heck would I want to be part of the investment team that put the cash towards this - I think they would have much greater potential for reward by investing in precious metals and a few equities that have hit rock bottom prices but still have potential for decent profit in a continued recession (i.e. agri-business, health care, select parts of the energy sector).

Studios with lower overhead / more homey decor / geared towards personalized service from an engineer (or team of engineers) that is skilled and sociable is the way I see things going as far as actually creating a business in the "music industry" that remains viable in the future.

These kinds of studios make for nice photo shoots though!
The live room certainly looks excellent.

Doug - despite my own personal reservations noted above, congratulations on reopening an excellent recording space, and the very best of luck on proving me wrong in terms of your business!!

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Lindell]

Holy shít Doug! Looks amazing. What a vibe!
Please post pictures of the control rooms too.

[CompEq]

Wow! That must have been a designer's dream! Contrats and I, too would love to see pics of the control room.

Is the new A-Range coming from Cherokee or did Flemming sell his? There aren't a whole lot of those kicking around.

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by Gemylon

This is really way over the top.

Makes me sick !

Wonder what they are trying to prove here...



G

they're trying to prove how quickly they can turn profit into loss....

[Xestenz]

If I was an artist recording there, all I could think about would be my money paying for ostentatious garbarge instead of staying in my pocket where it belongs.

[monkeyt]

Cherokee Trident A range?

[5down1up]

rude as usual the GS Gäng

I think it looks fantastic, A++++,

probably not everybodys stlye, but con mucho gusto !!!



p.s who cares about everybody anyway ?

[TVPostSound]

Won the lawsuit with Technicolor, did ya????

[Meriphew]

It looks like it was designed by a Schizophrenic madman from the renaissance era. Chaotic and random, yet it works. I love it.

[Xestenz]

Comments concerning the asthetics and proper use of capital aside, I do appreciate EW making the effort to keep this classic location alive.

There just aren't that many rooms with real magic out there, let alone proven by history.

[Plush]

Neo bordello, but I like it.
Upholstered sewer L.A. style, but I really like it.

I don't know what to say.

[Doug Rogers]

Originally Posted by CompEq

Wow! That must have been a designer's dream! Contrats and I, too would love to see pics of the control room.

Is the new A-Range coming from Cherokee or did Flemming sell his? There aren't a whole lot of those kicking around.

The Trident A Range came from Longview Farms outside Boston, an original, not modified like the Cherokee Tridents, lots a great records recorded on this desk.

For those not familiar with the history of this studio I've included some info below.

Cheers,

- DR


EASTWEST STUDIOS (formerly Western Recorders and Cello Studios) is one of the world's premiere studios. Here is a quote from page 33 of the book "Temples of Sound": "United-Western Recorders has been the scene of more hit records - from the 1950's to right now - than any other studio. No other studio has won more technical excellence awards, and no other studio has garnered as many Best Engineered Grammys as this complex of studios on Sunset Boulevard". One thing everyone agrees: The acoustics and the vibe in the recording rooms of 6000 Sunset Blvd. are unmatched.

EASTWEST STUDIOS has hosted the who's who of music for over 45 years. In the beginning artists like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mercer and Ray Charles were recording the hits of the day. Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and "That's Life" were recorded here, as well as the legendary Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" album, which was the inspiration for The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers album, was recorded here also. The Mamas and Papas "California Dreamin", "Monday Monday", and Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco" were recorded here. Elvis Presley recorded his 1968 Christmas special in Studio 1. Famous themes for film and television were recorded here including the MASH theme, Mission Impossible theme, Hawaii Five-O theme, Beverly Hillbillies theme, Godfather Theme, plus much of the Monkees and Partridge Family television series.

It would be impossible to name all the musical royalty who have worked at EASTWEST STUDIOS, but here are some of them (in alphabetical order) Christina Aguilera, Herb Albert, America, Paul Anka, Fiona Apple, Audioslave, Franky Avalon, Barenaked Ladies, Better Than Ezra, Blondie, Buffalo Springfield, Burt Bacharach, Beach Boys, Blink 182, Glen Campbell, Canned Heat, Vickie Carr, Carpenters, Johnny Cash, David Cassidy, Ray Charles, Chicago, Petula Clarke, Ry Cooder, Elvis Costello, Count Basie & Orchestra, Eric Clapton, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Ornette Coleman, Duane Eddy, Jan & Dean, John Coltrane, Petula Clark, Joe Cocker, Sam Cooke, Bing Crosby, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jnr, Jackie DeShannon, Duke Ellington, Neil Diamond, Fifth Dimension, Bob Dylan, Ellla Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman Big Band, Grateful Dead, Grass Roots, Green Day, Guess Who, Lani Hall, Herbie Hancock, Hawaii Five-O theme, Don Ho, Whitney Houston, Howlin’ Wolf, Janis Ian, Ike & Tina Turner, Incubus, Isley Brothers, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Stan Keaton, Carole King, Kris Kristofferson, Franky Laine, K.D. Lang, Avril Laverne, Godfather Theme, Michel LeGrand, Peggy Lee, Little Feat, Trini Lopez, Madonna, Mamas & the Papas, Dean Martin, MASH theme, Johnny Mathis, Meatloaf, Sergio Mendez & Brazil 66, Metallica, Johnny Mercer, Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, Scott McKenzie, Natalie Merchant, Bette Midler, Mission Impossible theme, Monkees, Alanis Morrissette, Motley Crue, Muse, Rick Nelson, Willie Nelson, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ozzy Osborne, Partridge Family, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pointer Sisters, Iggy Pop, Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, Billy Preston, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kenny Rogers, Rolling Stones, Ronnie & the Ronettes, Bonnie Raitt, Helen Reddy, R.E.M., Nelson Riddle, Righteous Brothers, Johnny Rivers, Ronnie & the Ronnettes, Dianna Ross, Santana, Jimmy Smith, Sonny & Cher, Phil Spector, Tom Scott, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Steppenwolf, Rod Stewart, Mathew Sweet, Stone Temple Pilots, Barbra Streisand, System of a Down, Temptations, The Animals, The Association, The Four Tops, The GoGos, The Kingston Trio, The O’Jays, The Vines, The Who, Mel Torme, U2, Richie Valens, Stevie Wonder, Tool, Turtles, Sarah Vaughn, Jimmy Webb, Weezer, Andy Williams, Nancy Wilson, Young Rascals, Frank Zappa.

HISTORY

EASTWEST STUDIOS was founded by Bill Putnam in 1961 with funding from Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Considered to be the "Father of modern recording" Putnam is acknowledged to be the first person to use artificial reverberation for commercial recording. He also developed the first multi-band equalizers, and with his company Universal Audio, was responsible for the development of classic equipment like the Urei 1176LN and Urei Time Align Monitors. He was involved in the early development of stereophonic recording and founded studios in Chicago, Hollywood and San Francisco. He was responsible for a number of innovations including: the first use of tape echo and echo chambers, the first vocal booth, the first multiple voice recording, the first use of 8-track recording, half-speed disc mastering. In 1957, he started United Recording Corp. in a building at 6050 Sunset and started new construction on new studios. Stereo was taking off and Putnam was determined to incorporate as many technological innovations into the new complex as possible. In 1961, Western Recorders (now EastWest Studios) at 6000 Sunset was acquired and remodeled and incorporated into the complex with the facilities being known as United Western Recorders. Bill Putnam passed away in 1989. The studio was acquired by Allen Sides and renamed Oceanway recording. In 1999 Rick Adams acquired the studios and renamed it Cello, and in January 2006 it was acquired by Doug Rogers of EastWest Sounds (Sounds Online), the #1 sounds producer in the world, with over 50 international awards. Looking for a designer to take on the task of refurbishing the exterior and non-technical interior areas, while preserving the historic studios, Rogers contacted renowned designer Philippe Starck, whose trend-setting work is known the world over for its sheer brilliance and beauty. Starck jumped at the opportunity. He insisted on restoring all historic elements inside and out, adding new designs to the interior and creating a new exterior look that utilized elements of the current one. Another highlight of the restoration has included Rogers’ purchase of other analog equipment to be used for recording the classic way and not just digital (this includes a very rare EMI REDD tube mixing board, as used by the Beatles to record their hits).

In addition to EastWest's own use of the facilities, the five studio complex will be open to outside clients.

[Ben Pop]

gorgeous!

[toasteh]

This studio cant possibly be located on earth

[SoundWeavers]

this place will surely inspire creativity! just fantastic looking studio!

[outofphase]

Originally Posted by narcoman

they're trying to prove how quickly they can turn profit into loss....

Envy anyone?

[dan alexander]

I also wanna know where the girls are???? :)

very unique look, doug!!!

those are some of the best sounding studio rooms on earth!!!

trident a range, rca custom neve,dual 8078.... not a bummer... :)

[gainreduction]

Any control room pics ?

[PJB5060]

Big step up from Harlequin Doug.
Congratulations.

pjb

Previous life.. tv music show producer

[Mental Audio]

Originally Posted by gainreduction

Any control room pics ?

+ 1
p.s. love the decor, very nice indeed.

[doubledecker]

Such a freakin nice atmosphere.
I am gonna book it for my funeral ceremony

[Neon Heart]

I gotta say that I'm not surprised about this extravagant look as it does reflect the self-pleasing narcissistic and arrogant attitude towards their customers very well.

there's where the money for the long-anticipated buggy Play engine goes.

Then, to be fair, there have actually been quite a bunch of good libraries by EW.

[Doug Rogers]

Originally Posted by PJB5060

Big step up from Harlequin Doug.
Congratulations.

pjb

Previous life.. tv music show producer

A voice from the distant past, send me a PM and identify yourself.

Cheers,

- DR

[Oroz]

Originally Posted by gainreduction

Any control room pics ?

+2 .

[Doug Rogers]

Originally Posted by Oroz

+2 .

Soon ... we're justing finishing them, we did some work in the control rooms to upgrade them, new ATC 300 monitors throughout (we also have ATC 150s), video screens to link all studios to all control rooms, added new equipment, added old equipment like the EMI tube REDD desk, Studer tube J37s, REDD 47 pre-amps, Helios and many other outboard modules, added the Trident A Range to control 3 etc.

Studio operations for outside clients start in February.

Cheers,

- DR

[slopeshoulder]

beautiful. very phillipe stark, if you like that kind of thing (i do sometimes).
if they can make this pay off financially in 2009 and following, great!
if not, it's a nice indulgence.

[MIKEHARRIS]

Looks like a set for Clockwork Orange 2009


Where are the Droogs??