SOS visit the World-Famous Capitol Studios in Los Angeles

[@marctrainor5595]

Back in the 70's our country rock group, Stagecoach, recorded an album at Studio West in San Diego. We had the album pressed to vinyl , so being ambitious young men, we jumped in our car and drove up to this Capital record building in L.A. and somehow thought we'd just "march into the building and get to talk to an A&R man about our new record". Well we marched into the building, alright, with our new record album, which even had a couple of songs written by Jack Tempchin, who wrote Peaceful easy feeling for the Eagles, but the first guy we ran into was the security guard. He stopped us and ask us where we were going. Of course we told him we wanted to talk to someone about our new album, but he told us basically: It ain't gonna happen. He said go over to this spot and talk to that person, so we did. Well that person told us there's no way we're gonna talk to an A&R man or any one else for that matter, but you can leave your album here if you want to, along with a whole bunch of other albums that other groups and artists have brought in, and we'll call you if we're interested. Soooooo, we did that but we never heard back from them. Well that was our first reality check with the music business, and we almost gave up, but I said to the band. Hey, let's go over to A&M records. I did a session over there with a friend of mine some time back, (which I had done), so we went there. We couldn't even get in the parking lot at first, but I talked to the guy on the speaker phone and told him we'd like to talk to a guy named Ed Soltzer, (I believe it was). Well Ed Soltzier was the guy who ran our session when I was there, and just happened to be Karen Carpenter's producer at the time, so they let us drop the album off, but we never got to talk to Ed, but at least they let us leave our album there. Well, shortly after that, the band let me go for another pedal steel player, but the leader later called me up and said that A&M did call him back and I think they, Stagecoach, maybe went back to A&M and did a re-cut on one of the songs on the album, but apparently it never went anywhere. All I can say, 50 years later is: Man what a ride the music business is, and like the man said, There's no business like show business. Marc Trainor.

[@ajahnke688]

Hey I went to school at Studio West for engineering. What a small world

[@philsmithmusicentertainmen3972]

Marc Trainor, , yep good ole shoe business,, we have heard and seen 78s, 45s,33s,4&8 track, cds, to the cloud,, crazy now the record co. Is your cell,, but like Vince Gill said (I think, you can get a download of my song for .99 or an app that farts, the app is doing well. ... Music was very important to us it’s not so much any more, yay studio west I did a lot of work there,, Bill Blue!! Where did he go good soul! B well,

[@richardisley9063]

Loved reading your story, Marc, and The Carpenters' agent/producer at A&M Records was Ed Sulzer. Not sure if they ever gave him an official title, but he was basically their A&R guy, (Artist & Repertoire), who would listen to demos for Karen and Richard, including mine in 1973, I think. Funny, I still remember A&M's address and phone number... 1416 N. LA Brea, [phone]. Can't believe that's all still in my head! Now it's Jim Hensen's place, (Muppets). Anyway, I used to hang out at that place, and like you, dreamed of a recording contract, but as I was then a session player at Capitol Records (playing for music groups and singers that were on Capitol's "we're interested" list), I realized that I never wanted to be a "star". I only wanted to do session work. But I also grew tired of that, after doing so many sessions, and I grew especially tired of sound engineers treating all these up and coming people like crap. So much for the glitz and glamour. Sessions are hard work, as you know. And I've been up in Capitol's tower playing my own demos to the A&R guys, but that's another story. And in conclusion I did appear on The Merv Griffin Show in 1974, which was taped at the famous Hollywood Palace, so I got to sing on that stage where every famous person in Hollywood performed. From Judy Garland to the Beatles. So that's my personal experience in Show Biz. Or some of it. Nothing special about it or me, I guess. Thanks for your memories, as I pictured everything you and your band experienced. Sounded familiar.

[@stevenbagner3407]

you make me laugh old man, with no masonry degree you spent your time since the begging good luck in next incarnation.

[@andycummings-music]

@@stevenbagner3407 👏

[@Guitaural.]

Can you imagine the confidence (or insanity) to look at the big room Sinatra recorded his 50s tracks in, and then say...."I'll make it better, let's change it all around..." Thanks for the tour!

[@billhare]

I owned the console and tape machine that was in Studio B throughout the 70s - custom-built by the Capitol engineering staff over an Electrodyne frame with Quad-Eight parts, as well as in-house designed preamp & EQ section. Total Frankenstein monster and maintenance headache, but we loved it anyway. The tape machine was a 1970 3M M56, serial # 17. We moved it from Hollywood in 1984 and kept it running until 1989. The late Jay Ranellucci, who had been there since about the time the studios opened, gave me a wonderful tour of the rooms. I later found, when we dismantled the old system which was beyond any more repair, that I had a lot of extra paperwork among the thousands of pages of technical data, going back to 1950s architectural drawings, internal memos, etc. Paula was wonderful to work with in re-connecting that history with the building, and I was very sorry to hear that she has recently been let go by Capitol.

[@yoyolebatteur]

I think she changed role, and also now the studios are closed for two years.

[@meteorfive6]

??

[@synonyx]

They didn't let her go, Universal (they own captiol now) picked her up to a VP role to be over all of their studios. She's a legend in her field. They would never let go.

[@Dante-qf9yd]

I would hang outside that studio dreaming about recording there until it was time for me to go to work at the Wendy's on Sunset and Labrea.

[@SOUNDCONTROLFLA]

Dante' it’s possible i’ve seen you bc i used to walk by capitol every day to get to work at 33 taps

[@Dante-qf9yd]

@@SOUNDCONTROLFLA You know it was a music store that was close by them? I only saw the lobby of Capitol Records, Oh! and Motown Records, I think it was on Sunset.

[@Dante-qf9yd]

@@SOUNDCONTROLFLA Jordan, what is 33 taps?

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

Fortnum Sound nahh you cant but I know what you mean. Yes, you can make a commercially viable record on a laptop, that’s for sure. But to suggest that a cheap mic, into a cheap interface, into a laptop, all recorded in a room with almost 0 acoustic treatment, will sound “just as good” as a multi million dollar facility that’s designed & built from the ground up with the best acoustics, gear, and recording & mixing engineers, is completely false. There’s a reason studios and expensive gear still exist.

[@Dante-qf9yd]

Matthew G You are wrong, it’s all perception. My music I made at home sounds better than most commercial made music in million dollar studios. Expensive studios are the past. What you have is just an opinion.

[@prestige2000rider]

Studio A , one of the best rooms in music ! From the phenomenal Acoustics to Nat King Coles Steinway. Thank you for keeping this place so well preserved for the generations of musicians yet to come and experience .

[@MrNiklasehrlin]

"We have this door between rooms. We can open it. We can open it halfway... We can even have it closed. Absolutely unique! Nowhere else in the world"

[@WilkinsonX]

Has science gone too far?

[@mono_to_STEREO]

Thanks Paula, Steve, and Sound On Sound magazine for the enjoyable and informative visit! 👍👍

[@KevinStCroix]

This building is so much a part of the California vibe. Glad the studios still exist.

[@melfree]

It would have been really nice to see more of the studios.

[@dinosaursr]

Love these SOS studio tours. Great insights provided by the staff.

[@richardsisk1770]

What a great insight into this iconic studio. I have walked and driven by hundreds of times. Now I have a much better idea of what’s inside! Thank you.

[@pendulumdistinction2494]

Fantastic! Loved every minute of it and will continue to do so. Thank you so much for sharing this. I remember vividly doing an internship with the AR department in 1993. This was around the time when "All Balls Don't Bounce" by Aceyalone had come out. Along with The Beastie Boys (Grand Royal) label with Abstract Rude, Tribe Unique. The film scores, classic television series, and the magnetic albums that has changed all of our lives. Thank you so much for everyone involved with the project. Gift!

[@ericmorata-c4w]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6HWoIWnfNemodE

[@thomasgutknecht688]

Ouh, Boah What a amazing report. This would be my dream working in this music studio. You are lucky guys. Thank you.

[@ninovasev]

HISTORY ....and skills of the engineers and stuff...musicians...analog mics and keyboards....compressors...and ideas from 1970/80 which very rare come today...

[@scronx]

That was marvelous, including voiceover -- thank you so much. To think the old (and new) literal echo chambers are still in use!

[@TheLeaderCinema]

Professionalism personified! American Exceptionalism!

[@ericmorata-c4w]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6HWoIWnfNemodE

[@PeterGrenader]

[raised hand] That old equipment you mentioned that doesn't work well anymore that doesn't stick around - do you ever throw it in your dumpster with the follow up question where does Capital keep it's dumpsters?

[@tomprice3258]

I want to work with Steve! He sounds like a great guy and a good recording engineer! Yeah, Steve!

[@zoomzoom3950]

Yet another iconic studio where the equipment is more worthy than most current artists. 😁

[@wadebradley7388]

Hahaha. How true. And it gets more valuable and they decrease ever year.

[@indianarobbins408]

I love how excited he gets about the ATMOS room lol

[@FintanMoloney]

Great video - really fascinating to see the inner workings of such a legendary studio :)

[@artifexastrum]

I am both old and selectively old school, and how I love the Capitol philosophy of gear! I haven't been to Capitol in decades, but maybe a 60 year old version of "a runner", i.e., a rather fast walker, can secure a gig. lol

[@TDenander]

The worlds 54 most jealous people in music business are the ones who hit "dislike" :) This is the greatest studio I've ever worked in!!!

[@rapidfiremuzik_official]

| glad to have seen the inside of this iconic studio

[@MarvillousBeats]

This was really dope! I would love to visit this studio and check out a real echo chamber

[@cartnhorse]

Dope?

[@ronfrey5327]

Ive never been this quiet in 59 years.......

[@ronfrey5327]

IM 59 BTW !

[@connorm955]

Love how they have the old tech and new

[@ericmorata-c4w]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6HWoIWnfNemodE

[@atibakojo3478]

The room that Nat built. Never knew that. Imagine that, during that era in American history. One black artist made the company enough money to build and entire building and really a business that's still around to this day. Interesting and revealing.

[@DavidNutter1963]

The always beautiful and studio legend Paula Salvatore. Sound City and then Capitol. edited to correct spelling of Capitol. Damn auto correct. 😂

[@mattiemclean9882]

"Capitol"

[@DavidNutter1963]

@@mattiemclean9882 Yes...good catch.

[@andriealinsangao613]

Whoa!

[@lionheartroar3104]

There's a famous clip of legendary bassist Carol Kaye (Wrecking Crew film), who wanders into Capitols main entrance to give a glimpse of where she worked to help create some of pops greatest records. The idiots in reception had no idea who she was and basically ran her off.

[@sobe3045]

You have to have clearance in order to enter. They probably knew who she was but it’s very strict security in order to get in

[@cuda426hemi]

@@sobe3045 There is NO EXCUSE for morons not knowing their history and giving Carol carte blanche. Don't forget the morons at Capitol passed on the Beatles first several singles and LP - that's how hip they were - and are. Plus she had a camera crew, identified herself and they basically acted like total fools in the end - that's all that matters. ⏚

[@willst.hubbins6709]

Its Paula from Soundcity!

[@richardisley9063]

She's now President of Capitol Studios after years of being the studio manager at Capitol. Talked with her many times in the 1990's. Was always a wonderful person.

[@abradfordajb]

Great video. Thanks for producing & posting it ! Very entertaining, and informative ..... and nostalgic.

[@rickyguitarman3839]

this is so cool, what a dream job!!!!!!!

[@eddo1983]

Great interview

[@rewind2play]

Great Video, love the content & production

[@charlesrocks]

I would love to track here.

[@patrickbergin356]

I did a session there in the mid eighties. At one point the engineer came on the squawk and said "Do a good job, you're using Frank Sinatra's mic. I looked at it, and sure enough, it was aU-47 with the Capital logo. I've seen pictures of Sinatra singing in that mic.

[@soundonsound]

It was on the front cover of our issue a few years ago. Did you get a shiver down your spine?

[@patrickbergin356]

@@soundonsound Yup, I sure did! :D

[@davidcamarda8723]

I only recently learned that the Capital Records building has studios in it. Then found this vid, spectacular!

[@mattiemclean9882]

"Capitol"

[@shoominati23]

Yeah, I always thought it was just administration .. mind blown

[@MrRichiekaye]

Lot of good information.

[@charlespatrick8650]

transfer which vintage audio tapes, exactly!? UMG torched them all over a decade ago 🔥🎶🔥

[@StringerNews1]

What great history. I wish they talked more about the history, like what proceeded the PMC loudspeakers. I think I spotted some '70s vintage Altec 2-way speakers in studio A for talkback, and that old Altec amp looked vaguely familiar, like something I had seen in an old installation in my past. Years ago I just missed an eBay ad for a pair of Westlake speakers marked "BRITRO London" for a bargain price; I wonder if the old monitor speakers are in storage at Capitol Studios like they said, or in the hands of a collector in Japan. It would be a shame for some "restorer" to remove the pedigree, and all of that history in one fell swoop!

[@richardisley9063]

In one of the rooms, there was a pair of HUGE Altec Lansing (Voice of The Theater) speakers hanging from the ceiling, close to the console. I did some sessions there in the 70's. Couldn't believe they hung those huge cabinets so close to that board.

[@StringerNews1]

@@richardisley9063 Wow. I worked in sound reinforcement when PA speakers were going from being stacked onstage to being flown over the stage. It took me a while to learn to trust the riggers on that; I can only imagine how it felt in that studio!

[@kentgoodall2516]

Bob Marley aka The wailers held a rehearsal session at this beautiful venue on the 24 October 1973 bad bootlegs had been on u tube and in circulation with traders until recently saw an official release oh finally to see the footage in better condition DVD, CD and 2XLPS love the jacket as it's got the capital building in it Thought I would highlight this as no one else has pointed it out Love to know which studio they used studio A or Studio B Any info be great love to know

[@ninjabluewings]

My God that "Frank Sinatra" mic must have a crazy value on it

[@codyrap95]

Thank you very much for this video!

[@WillyJunior]

For an audio magazine, you've really butchered that voiceover!

[@kenmccormack7297]

Sounds okay at 28.30!

[@cartnhorse]

@@kenmccormack7297 I'm missing your point - what do you mean?

[@digitalboy2020]

Was just thinking the same thing!

[@oldgoody1]

Maybe they meant the male vo to sound like that but it's unnatural. Sounds like the mids of his voice have been deliberately hollowed out. Whereas by comparison the Capitol staff voices, even though recorded with lav mics, are relatively clear and natural. If doing mixing it helps to know what a real voice sounds like.

[@AlainHubert]

Exactly what I was thinking when watching this. Ironic that a video about a recording studio has such a badly recorded voice over. Maybe Capitol Studios should have recorded it ?

[@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

But how many SM57s do they have?

[@bwrinn8]

well.... do they track guitars and drums....and ? I guess a few right?

[@CREWorxMedia]

Great overview of the studio! However, I would suggest getting your audio levels correct in your productions... this is sound on sound after all, no..? Lol Roman

[@michaelchapman4955]

Sinatra recorded one of His best albums with Nelson Riddle "Songs For Swingin Lovers" (1955-56) @ Capitol Melrose Studios @ 5515 Melrose Ave 'around the corner from My grandparents' N Bronson Ave home

[@J3unG]

This is basically a commercial for Dolby Atmos. I've seen some vid and read stuff about Capitol Studios in the past and nothing's changed. This one though, is a commercial for Atmos. Atmos requires the listener to have a 12 speaker array located 360 in order to experience it propertly. Most folks listen to their stuff on phones and headphones and car stereos. Any bets on how long this will last? What is the Vegas line on whether or not this thing goes longer than TV 3D technology? Quad speakers? Lol.

[@robgracia509]

awesome video

[@xeemnpisyuslis2089]

Did Carol Kaye play there?

[@patrickmckeown3683]

Great video guys!

[@ericmorata-c4w]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6HWoIWnfNemodE

[@phoenixbenjamin]

We want to know more about the fire and hear how many artist have been screwed believing they have remastered product? What is the current number of law suits?

[@davidosolo]

Good to know that something nowadays as obsolete as a music studio, at least has such a great history to fall back on.

[@scottbirch968]

davidosolo “Obsolete”

[@ChromaticHarp]

Obsolete? Try recording an orchestra or big band at your home studio.

[@davidosolo]

@@ChromaticHarp LOL

[@stevenbrown5695]

Use clear graffiti tint on both sides of all glass, reduces reflection improvement. Area coverage adds up. Also there is paint water based that gives a reduced reflection. Note: equivalent of 5" mat insulation.

[@Whiskey_Friday]

Awesome!!

[@filmaker256]

Great studio!

[@kingech_B15]

this is deep

GREAT ! Hugs from Brazil

[@nicmcv6925]

Fabulous video.

[@AJL200]

Really interesting, thanks

[@seanb9907]

this sounds like a great museum!

[@sethflix]

That's "Accentuate the Positive"

[@kevinkrater8486]

This is amazing.

[@willemmoller6736]

was the voiceover recorded on a phone?

[@ferraridinoman]

Great! Interesting stuff!!

[@DavidKen878]

Studio A is where Gwen Stefani filmed her music video for "What You Waiting For?"

[@dnoizaudio]

Amazing post.

[@sincerelyjerry244]

Mixers are artist, sculping frequencies! Cheers

[@MargueriteFairProductions]

Wow!

[@danlee2191]

Wish more was covered on the echo chambers, legendary and yet, only a few mins of coverage???

[@x-rockfm92hd81]

LIVED IN LA WORKED @KRLA ASWER REQUEST CAPIOL COOL HATED EMI MERGER!

[@BHAudioWork]

Voice over levels could be better balanced in this video, good vid though

[@nickwebb9290]

That’s an interesting programme, Capitol Tower and Abbey Road seem to have similarities 😁 What a shame there wasn’t even a short interview with a mastering engineer.

[@MaraldBes]

check out this tour (the last one if you like mastering) : kzbin.info/www/bejne/oamziYSerNh9hLc

[@fdfsdfsdfsdfsdf9262]

She said, "Universal and Capitol has a lot of catalog." Uh, not anymore for Universal. It's all gone!

[@MobiusMinded]

Studio B is one of my favorite drum rooms. Pretty much don’t need to us EQ.

[@dalepaullindsey3558]

Awesome

[@voicetube]

WOW!! I grew up in LA so would see that building all the time as a kid and it never got old. Curious, the woman in the video here mentions that the group Heart recorded there. Does anybody know if one of my favorite songs of all time (really, of any group) was recorded here - the great "Dog and Butterfly" by Heart? Or was it recorded in another studio (that particular song)? - Thanks :-)

[@tekis0]

Hi:I think that the early Heart records were recorded in Canada, at Mushroom Studios. "These Dreams'" and songs from that eraw were at Capitol.

[@voicetube]

@@tekis0 okay, cool; thanks!

[@redoneck6578]

But you didn't show the locked room up in the executive office where you summon demons and worship Satan. Can u make a separate video showing that please??

[@everythingloud524]

REDoNECK lmfaoooo

[@redoneck6578]

@@everythingloud524 I need u to watch this video for me. It will 100% change how u listen to music. Please I beg u...look up this video. It's called: something that everyone needs to know about music and what it's really used for. The video is 30 mins long and The channel name is called. A call for an uprising. I really hope u watch the video. And that I made you think about this stuff.

[@redoneck6578]

@@everythingloud524 please I beg u to find and watch that video. And let me know if that video made you think and change your mind

[@everythingloud524]

REDoNECK will get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks!!

[@redoneck6578]

@@everythingloud524 no problem and I'm glad to hear that your guna reserch this stuff. Hopefully this will be the very beginning of the awaking process for you. I would watch alot other videos of that one channel to. He knows the truth about what's going on in the world

[@t.c.494]

They should have left the building as it was. It's more than a building. You mess with things, you change the feel, you get a different result. I guess that is what happens when beancounters are in charge. Music heritage and history are more important than increasing production.

[@frederickthorne2496]

that was great!

[@Cubanwestern]

I stay on Pico and Western I'ma always passing this studio by I want to record my music here so bad ima show up.

[@tm8473]

I was just wondering if someone could point me to a record where I can listen to those reverb chambers?

[@ChromaticHarp]

I hear those echo chambers can be heard on ‘Horst Dinglebobbins live at the Brown Derby’

[@kazpermusic]

Is that a razor blade on the 88R? Oh, I would have lost my S#!+ for sure.

[@bolayneburtonlll716]

This on life after people

[@ChromaticHarp]

I had an album mastered at capital with famed engineer Wally Traugat

[@roxiekelley6825]

It looks good o wood love to sing and these some day I am pareying

[@ericmorata-c4w]

Where are the studio monitors JBL LSR 6328, state of the art superior monitors (seen with greatest engineer Eddie Kramer)

[@pareshmota]

Super 👌 extraordinary 👆

[@NovenJaisi]

The Beach Boys!

[@52Cues]

Love SOS, but is the narrator an AI-generated voice over? If so, that's a kick a real kick the nuts, especially considering the subject of this very video. It sounds like those click-bait countdown videos that litter the bargain bin of KZbin.

[@autocrow]

If I were selling studio gear to Capital Studios, I'd provide them with good customer service as well. No surprise there.

[@IrnBruNYC]

Why are they still running Windows XP (on the tiny monitor in the middle of the mixing desk)? I get that they like vintage equipment that is ridiculous.

[@provessorkayoss9089]

But does it go to 11?

[@therealdeal26]

***why wouldn't they show the very bottom basements 🤔***

[@johnsain]

How did we go from the class, talent and elegance of Nat King Cole and Sinatra....to the Beastie Boys and Green Day?

[@gregmize01]

My first guess would be Elvis😂

[@ctrlaltcreate3827]

@@gregmize01 you’d be correct

[@Adonaistudio0]

Woow

[@sternplaysriseofnation]

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[@bolayneburtonlll716]

Have yall did records wit lil wayne an them

[@JaywalkingTheWorld]

Great place. I shoot video and I've worked right there a few times.