Rolling Stones Mobile Unit circa 1970

[Amplove]

Listening to Zep III sparked my interest in the Rolling Stones Mobile Unit. Recorded in 1970 at Headly Grange using the above mentioned "unit", I can't find any info online as to what this unit consisted of. I have found that it lived in a 32 foot long tailer and had a 2" 16 track. But other specifics are a mystery to me.

Anyone know for sure, like what kind of desk they were using? I'm assuming that because of location recording, utilizing reverb plates may not have been an option until Andy Johns and the boys got back to Island Studios to do the mixing. That record has a very noise washy sound that I'm really digging. Natural acoustics being used are hugely possible but other gear being used...clues and huntches are welcome.

Thanks,
J.

[Jamz]

Very cool question.
Didn't Deep Purple also use it as well?

[Beech]

I seem to recall it being a Helios but it may have been a Neve. A U67 was used on the acoustic guitar, at least that's what I heard. 16 track 2" is correct. God, what a beast of a truck it must have been!

[Amplove]

Yeah, Machine Head was done on that same unit. I just read that the two engineers that came with the mobile unit had to smash the lock of the truck with a rock as to break in to drive it away from the fire that broke out at the casino prior to that record being made. That's what I read anyway.

hmmm. Helios = dreams.
j.

[retropete]

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...ht=Ron+Nevison

"I saw a link on the 3D audio forum that had a photo of that Headley Grange staircase, a big square round and round spiral style thing. There is apparently a mic hanging there still, to show all the curious visitors how it was done!"

At the time the mic's might have been plugged into one of the 4 Helios channels I own, as they came from the Ronnie Lane mobile truck Ron Nevison used. (I belive the Rolling Stones Mobile WASNT in fact the one used although it had the same black Helios modules all the rage then..(as used back at Londons Basing St & Olympic studios)

-- quote from Jules in that thread

[Amplove]

Okay, that means I need to kill you and steal those pre's.

Ronnie Lane ruled.

I do know that I read in the liner notes on those recordings that it was the Rolling Stones Unit. Those liner notes are from the newest Zep box (the real nice black one). Pardon me if I misunderstood your post.

You think that 2" was a 3M? I heard that somewheres one time.

j.

[nobtwiddler]

It was a Helios console!
Spoke with my buddy Eddie Kramer about it.
The truck and all the remaing contents were stored near me in Woodstock NY a while ago.
It was all sold a few years back.
I'm actually on the hunt for a small frame (8 - 16 chs) Helios as we speak...
If anyone knows of one, please contact me
Paul
www.millbrooksoundstudios.com

[Amplove]

Wow. Vintage King has a couple Helios consoles for sale. One is a 20 channel, but we're talking about $50,000.

I'd love to be able to say "my friend Eddie Kramer".

You all think maybe they just tracked it all and did all the compression and other treatments back at the "real" studio?

Thanks to everyone who's chimed in.

J.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by Amplove

Yeah, Machine Head was done on that same unit. I just read that the two engineers that came with the mobile unit had to smash the lock of the truck with a rock as to break in to drive it away from the fire that broke out at the casino prior to that record being made. That's what I read anyway.

hmmm. Helios = dreams.
j.

Yeah. That's when they wrote "Smoke on the Water".

[Amplove]

I forgot,
Hey Nob, that Millbrook sure is a beautiful place.
j.

[retropete]

In the interview I read with Ron Nevinson, he said he left the compression and eq on Bonham's drums to the mixer. I've been trying to search for that interview for this thread, but no luck. He spoke about the Zep sessions, mostly.

[nobtwiddler]

Hey J.
Supposedly this producer says he has the original out of the Stones Mobile unit!
I'm not sure?
But check it out...
http://www.uaudio.com/webzine/2003/j.../content8.html

Paul

[Amplove]

Thanks! Now, my mind is blow.

J.

[retropete]

http://www.gurupedia.com/p/ph/physical_graffiti.htm

Looks like Zep III was on the Rolling Stones Mobile and Physical Graffiti was with Ronnie Lanes Mobile Studio.

Still looking for the Nevison interview (I'm on a mission!)

[retropete]

http://www.quicklyfind.com/info/Physical_Graffiti.htm

Though also at Stargroves with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio

[Amplove]

Nice detective work there. I got tired hours ago of looking. Now, I just sit and wait for info. It looks like it's working.

J.

[retropete]

"Guitar lost courtesy of Ron Nevison"

On The Rover, evidently

http://music.com/person/ron_nevison/1/

[retropete]

Nice picture of Headley Grange

http://www.headley-village.com/zeppelin/

[Jules]

Zeplin used both mobiles - there are details on the web of which one for what song somewhere..... My modules were involved in Kashmir.. Now I can die a happy man..

My last will and testicle, I would like to leave my modules to.............(mumbles & gasps last breath)

[Amplove]

Jules,
That's right before we take your body out to the field...













































...and drive a tractor over it.

[retropete]

Thanks, Jules -- I will put them to use wisely ;-)

[Jules]

(Jules floating about in GS heaven.... "No!! Not Him! I meant HIM!!!!)
stike

[retropete]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN

A picture of the stairway at Headley Grange under which Bonham recorded.

(Sorry for the long url)

[retropete]

Actually the full url didn't post. Use the one in the post above and hit the button labeled "Return" and you'll see a fan's trip to all the Zep sites, including the interior of Headley Grange.

[retropete]

Actually, Jules... you wouldn't happen to have a picture of those Helios units, now would you?

(groveling, pleading, whatever it takes...!)

[Amplove]

Granted, you can't really see the entire stairwell, I had a much more old castle/giant foyer with all grey stone covering all the floor and walls vision in my head. Kind of like Dracula's crib.

YOu've SpOILed it! Reality!

J.

[Jules]

They are visible BRIEFLY if you take the studio tour at my once great but now crappy looking website (being overhauled this week) click on the link in my signature file..

The (4)helios imodules are mounted in the 4U Black box in my racks with a large red light on it.

[Amplove]

Jules,
It looks like Helios kept the look of the old units with their reissue "69" modules. This may be a strange question but do you use them often? Are they a "go to" pre for you? It looks like you have a few choices.

J.

[retropete]

Sorry 'bout the buzzkill... but perhaps these photos of Zep recording at Stargroves will make up for it a bit. These were shot by Eddie Kramer evidently. And there's a shot of the Mobile Truck (now I'm getting confused whether it was Ronnie Lanes or the Stones truck -- think this one is the Stones truck)

http://uk.geocities.com/babyjustrock...targroves.html

[Amplove]

YEAH. The Stones one was painted Camo colors.

Those pics are great. Thanks. You get the Columbo award for the day.

J.