Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum Unveils Studer Recorder Used On Classic Beatles Album

Beatles enthusiasts and recording buffs will now have the opportunity to view one of the pair of original Studer J37 Multi-Track Recorders used in the recording of the Beatles' historic 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album.
The J37 recorder, on loan from Studer's own museum, will be included in the newly renovated exhibit dedicated to the Beatles at The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, scheduled to reopen later this month. The timing of this contribution to the museum coincides perfectly with Studer's 60th anniversary in the professional audio and recording business.
The Studer J37 originally went into production in 1964 and became the first 4-channel studio-quality tape recorder on the market. The two recorder used on the album were located in Studio Two at the legendary EMI Recording Studios in London (later to become known as Abbey Road studios).
Jim Henke, Vice President of Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, said: "The Beatles exhibit has always been one of our most popular exhibits and Studer's J37 multi-track recorder will make an exciting addition."
Bruno Hochstrasser, Executive Vice President of Sales for Studer, remembered that period well, having served 37 years with the company. Also celebrating his 60th birthday this year, Hochstrasser noted: "The J37 made history as the first studio-quality, multi-track recorder to be produced. The Beatles use of it in the recording of the Sgt Pepper's album was confirmation of the J37's innovative legacy. Studer has an amazing heritage in the music business, with numerous major albums having been recorded on Studer tape machines. Loaning this piece of history to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reminds us of Studer's long association with the recording industry and especially Rock and Roll music."
Andy Trott, President of twin companies Soundcraft and Studer (and a self-confessed Beatles 'addict') added: "A few years ago, when I visited one of Studer's studios in our offices near Zurich in Switzerland, I saw this J37 for the first time and got a thrill at the thought of John, Paul, George and Ringo, standing alongside it forty or so years ago listening to a take of Sgt Pepper's! I hope visitors to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will enjoy the experience of being in the presence of a piece of music history as much as I did."
The eighth studio album for the Beatles, 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' was recorded over a 129-day period using a pair of Studer J37s. The album was released on June 1, 1967 in the UK followed by the US debut on June 2.
(KMcA/JM)