Chief engineer Tom Camuso holds spare TELEFUNKEN Black Diamond tubes.
The Les Paul Recording Studio has officially opened in Los Angeles. A highlight of the studio is the completely restored first true multitrack recording console, known as The Monster. Designed by Les Paul in 1957 with Rein Narma, it was created to work directly with The Octopus, the first multitrack tape machine.
Essential to the operation of the console are period-correct rectifier vacuum tubes, which were procured from the inventory at TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik in Connecticut. TELEFUNKEN is the manufacturer of historic recreations of classic microphones alongside their own proprietary designs based around the distinctive tube mic sound.
The Monster is an 8-channel, 3-bus, tube console, with unique features built in, such as vibrato effects, record enabling, and tape machine control, as well as EQ and echo sends on every channel. The Monster and Octopus paved the way for how music has been recorded for the last 65 years and the foreseeable future.
Grammy Award winning audio engineer Tom Camuso, now the Chief Engineer at The Les Paul Recording Studio, explains, "I recently oversaw the restoration of Les Paul's original recording console and first multitrack tape machine. After trying every tube I could find on the market, TELEFUNKEN'S new Black Diamond tubes were the only tubes that worked.”
The Black Diamond tube used in the console restoration is the TELEFUNKEN GZ34-TK, an accurate replacement for any amplifier using vintage GZ34 or 5AR4 rectifier tubes. Rectifier tubes were some of the very first tubes to be invented, converting alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The rectifier is an essential block that helps create the sound of an amplifier. Black Diamond Series Tubes can also be found in TELEFUNKEN's recreations of the historic Fairchild 660 and 670 compressor/limiters that were invented by Rein Narma.
Tom Camuso adds, "No other currently manufactured tube can handle the power draw of The Monster console. I've been using the tubes and they've been working perfectly. No other new tube has lasted more than one power up."
ABOUT THE LES PAUL RECORDING STUDIO
The Les Paul Recording Studio is a state-of-the-art facility honoring the legacy of music pioneer Les Paul located in Hollywood, California at the historic United Recording building at 6050 Sunset Blvd. The studio features the meticulously restored original equipment used by the legendary inventor and guitarist including his groundbreaking audio console and 8-track recording set up. The studio's centerpiece is the custom 8-channel mixing console built by Les Paul in the 1950s. Known as "The Monster," the innovative console featured in-line equalization and vibrato effects that were cutting-edge. The console is where multi-track recording was born. Alongside the original console sits Paul's prized Ampex 5258 Sel-Sync machine affectionately called "The Octopus," which is the first 8-track recorder ever produced. Along with Les Paul's original recording equipment, the studio also hosts state-of-the-art technologies. For more information about the Les Paul Recording Studio, please visit www.les-paul.com
ABOUT TELEFUNKEN
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik strives for absolute perfection. By offering historic recreations of classic microphones alongside their own proprietary designs based around the distinctive tube mic sound, TELEFUNKEN has established a product line that expertly combines vintage style and sound with the reliability of a modern-day microphone design. TELEFUNKEN's commitment to both the sonic excellence and quality of all of their products is rivaled only by their dedication to provide the best possible service to their customers. http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com
