Capitol Studios

Lore & Background

Since opening in 1956, Capitol Studios has hosted a diverse roster of artists including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Billie Eilish, Daft Punk, and Michael Jackson. The studio's history is defined by its evolution from an exclusive label facility to a public venue starting in the late 1960s. It features unique architectural elements designed for acoustics, such as Studio A built within asphalt-impregnated cork layers to block outside vibration. The complex includes eight subterranean echo chambers; Chambers 1 through 4 were originally designed by Capitol's own engineering staff, notably John Palladino, and completed with the building in 1956, while Chambers 5 through 8 were added in 1969. These chambers can produce a maximum reverb time of 5 seconds.

In Their Own Story

Michael Jackson recorded at Capitol Studios as part of its legacy of hosting major artists since the studio's inception. The facility houses four distinct studios and five mastering rooms, all connected to the historic echo chambers via telephone lines or direct routing. Studio A offers 1,500 square feet of space capable of holding up to 50 musicians, while a retractable wall allows it to join with Studio B to create over 2,700 square feet for orchestral work. Jackson's sessions would have utilized the studio's inventory of vintage instruments, including Yamaha C9 and New York Steinway Model B grand pianos, as well as vintage Rhodes and Wurlitzer keyboards. The control rooms feature renowned consoles like the Neve 88RS in Studio A and the autographed Neve 8068 in Studio B.

Reader's Guide

Capitol Studios operates with four main studios and five mastering rooms located on the ground floor of the Capitol Records Tower. Studio C serves as a 440-square-foot mixing suite equipped for surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D, and 7.1, having mixed films such as Across The Universe and True Lies. For vinyl production, the facility uses two vintage Neumann recording lathes to cut lacquer in 7", 10", and 12" formats; these lathes have historically cut albums like Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon and Paul McCartney's Band on the Run. Artists can access the eight echo chambers located 30 feet below the parking lot, which feature thick concrete walls finished with reflective hard lacquer. The studio also hosts branded experiential events, Top of the Tower concerts, and the 1 Mic 1 Take Series.

Did You Know?

• Studio A was constructed within a layer of asphalt-impregnated cork to insulate it from outside vibration.
• The first recording session at Capitol Studios on April 9, 1956 was for Nat King Cole's 'The Nat King Cole Story'.
• Chambers 1 through 4 were designed by Capitol's own engineering staff, notably John Palladino, and completed in 1956, while Chambers 5 through 8 were added in 1969.
• Studio B features a Neve 8068 console autographed by legendary engineers including George Martin, Eddie Kramer, and Al Schmitt.