Recording Studio

This interactive 1960s-era mock-recording studio allows guests to play with faders and experience different aspects of recording technology.

Famous guitarist Les Paul invented multi-track recording in the late 1940s for Capitol Records. Up until that time, recording music required all musicians to play at once. hoping no mistakes were made. Once 4-track and then 8-track recording became available, studios experimented with layering sound in an attempt to create the perfect audio mix. Producers are responsible for maintaining a pleasant balance of high, low, and mid-range frequencies while making sure that all instruments can be heard.

The engineer sits at the mixing console in the control room, with the producer, to make sure the best tracks are being recorded and saved. After the recording process, the engineer and producer begin the process of mixing the tracks together to create the finished song.

Use the faders on the mixing console to manipulate the tracks. Each instrument can be isolated or mixed with other instruments. Try starting with all the faders down, so no music can be heard. Starting with the drums, add one track at a time until all faders are up. Try different combinations and notice how the dynamics of the song change.