Le Studio

Le Studio
Map
AddressMorin-Heights, Quebec, Canada
Construction
Opened1972
Closed2003
Demolished2020

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, along with his wife Yaël Brandeis and Nick Blagona, the studio was seen as one of the top recording venues in North America during its existence, renowned for its retreat-like location and state-of-the-art equipment.[1] Numerous notable Canadian and international artists recorded and stayed at Le Studio, including Rush (most notably),[2] The Police, David Bowie, the Bee Gees, Cat Stevens, April Wine, Nazareth, Queensrÿche, and Celine Dion. Perry described the facility as "like the United Nations. I had people from London, New York, Quebec, all over the world."[3]

Originally having used a Trident A Range recording console, Le Studio then became one of the earliest studios to install a Solid State Logic SSL 4000B mixing console and RADAR digital recording equipment.[4] Perry sold the studio to new owners in 1988, and it remained active for fifteen years before its closure in 2003, after which it was neglected and fell into disrepair.[5] On 11 August 2017, the building was partially destroyed by "a suspicious" fire.[3] What remained of the complex was demolished in 2020,[6] and in 2021, the entire property was cleared and put up for sale for $850,000.[7]

  1. ^ Myers 95-96.
  2. ^ Mobley, Max (2014). Rush FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Rock's Greatest Power Trio. Backbeat. pp. 259–62. ISBN 9781617136047.
  3. ^ a b "Fire destroys legendary Le Studio where Bowie, The Police recorded". CBC News. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  4. ^ Verna, Paul (25 February 1995). "Studio Morin Heights Reaches Far: Quebec Facility Embraces Int'l, Local Acts". Billboard. p. 91. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  5. ^ Kilkenny, Carmel (9 June 2015). "Le Studio, Morin Heights for sale after years of neglect". Radio Canada International. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  6. ^ Dwyer, Greg; Michaels, Bill (14 July 2021). "Iconic 'Le Studio' Where Rush, David Bowie, Chicago, Queensrÿche Recorded Demolished". 97X. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).