Studio A - Electric Lady Studios

Besides its capacity for large orchestras and live band set-ups, Studio A has hosted some of music’s most legendary recording sessions. It is our most famed and sought-after room.

Originally built for his own personal use, Studio A would host Hendrix’s final recordings before his untimely death in 1970. Songs like “Freedom”, “Dolly Dagger”, and “Angel” were captured here. Almost immediately, Stevie Wonder moved in and began recording what has since become known as his classic period—with his groundbreaking albums Music Of My Mind, Talking Book, Fullfillingness’ First Finale and Innervisions. Add to this seminal and diverse works by David Bowie (Fame), Frank Zappa (Apostrophe), Roy Ayers (Everybody Loves the Sunshine), Led Zeppelin (Physical Graffiti), Billy Cobham (Spectrum), KISS (Dressed to Kill), Lou Reed (Sally Can’t Dance) and many others, and by the 1980s the room was already legendary.

In the 1980s and 1990s Studio A saw AC/DC’s Back In Black, The Clash’s Combat Rock, Foreigner 4, Heartbeat City by the Cars, Weezer’s Blue Album and the entire Soulquarian collective here. D’Angelo, The Roots, Erykah Badu, J Dilla, Common and others created a series of genre-bending Hip-Hop and R&B records exclusively at Electric Lady with Studio A as the collaborative hub.

The room is home to a fully restored Neve 8078—a hand-wired analog console that recently absorbed 2500 hours of highly skilled labor, utilizing only the highest-end components and thoughtful attention to every cosmetic detail. The desk is outfitted with Martin Sound Flying Faders II.

Studio A’s live room boasts an impressive collection of vintage microphones, instruments, and amps, as well as an almost palpable history. It is our largest and most versatile space.

Live Room: 35′ x 38′

Control Room: 16′ x 26′

NEVE 8078

40-channel console

Pro Tools | HDX System