Welcome to 1979: Studio Tour

Welcome To 1979 isn’t your run of the mill recording studio. That’s because everyone at the complex is dedicated to the art of analogue recording, right through from servicing tape machines, to cutting vinyl masters and even in-house electroplating.

We drop in during a recording session with Minneapolis band Tabah, and meet some of the people behind the scenes, including owner and engineer Chris Mara and studio manager Lindsay Johns, who give us the tour of this beautiful Nashville studio.

00:00 - Start
01:08 - Welcome To 1979 - Live Room
04:25 - Scratch Vocal Booth & Vintage Pianos
05:26 - Lathe & Vinyl Mastering Suite
07:59 - Control Room
11:15 - A Studio Frozen In Time
13:56 - Preparing For A Studio Recording
16:17 - Importance Of In-House Vinyl Mastering
20:36 - MCI Tape Machine Restoration
22:36 - Electroplating Facility
24:12 - Game Room
24:54 - Chris Mara's Final Piece Of Advice

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[mykdubz]

The interview with the guitarist was funny like I was waiting for the magic words "sorry, what was your question?"

[codygranrud]

As a musician born in '79, who still uses a 4track Fostex tape deck to demo songs... I support this endeavor.

[justincanton]

It’s great that people keep the classic processes alive, and keep them from dying out. I’ve had almost 100 vinyl pressing of my own music throughout the years and it does give a kind of validity to your music. ♥️😊

[cardenashan]

WOW - an EMS Polysynthi at 1:07. Awesome to see that after the Peter Zinovieff interview!!

[BillVincent]

WOW! This not only was a wonderful, in-depth video (HUGE kudos, S.O.S!!) but man... this studio is beautiful both in concept and in reality! I am thrilled that this has come to Nashville. Thanks to Welcome to 1979 staff for allowing such a fantastic behind the scenes look at a great garden for music to be grown from the ground up. I am sure you all are proud beyond measure.

[jukesjointOG]

A great place with great people. Chris is awesome. Well worth a look if you’re in the area (or even if you’re not!)...

[douglasfreeman]

I was ten in 1979. I love this studio, it's beautiful, but I am glad it isn't 1979 anymore. I love what I love from the past, but the present is where I am now and the modern tech is pretty cool too.

[aussie_philosopher]

Direct to disc...that could become a new thing, that's awesome.

[creepingnet]

Man, if I had the band, time, and money I'd record there in a heartbeat - complete with thematic sessions with no cell phones....record and live like it's 1979.

[troyniles]

I didn’t want this video to end and I could watch it forever I just love this type of stuff and even if I don’t understand everything about it it’s just fascinates me thank you very much.

[bbbro]

This guy is great, love what he does. As in all art forms mediums matter. I love analog and never walked away from it.

[lancerains]

The atmosphere is spot on for deriving the best performance from the artist.... Amazingly refreshing to see

[tomedwardsmusic]

This dude is a brilliant business man. I thought it was really cool how he got into vinyl mastering and electroplating. What a kickass setup overall!

[antonioperani]

I love analog recording since 1980 I had Studio public recorder 16 Tascam tracks and Ampex 456 tapes. The tape master is the best sound support that exists,

[thelibertybrit]

Love, love, love this studio and its vibe. Spot on SoS. An excellent video that really puts across what the team at this studio are trying to achieve. The segment on the direct to disk recordings were particularly eye opening as I didn't think anyone undertook that particular recording method anymore. This is the kind of video that gets me excited about both the process and the act of recording music all over again. Props to SoS for featuring Welcome to 1979 and to the studio itself.

[freeecountryy]

My favorite studio open today. I respect what Chris and co. have accomplished in Nashville and thank em for keeping the art of analog alive. The way they also embrace digital into the process is also evidence that this is the best way (not the easiest) to run a complete recording studio that can allow artists to go for whatever sound they can think of. Keep up the good work!

[smalltown]

Watching this I'm reminded of the ancient poems of the Gong People and their aching laments to the King of Mountain Wood.

[markparris]

Thanks SOS for posting this great video. A very nice reminder of the real world of analog recording. Love it!!

[MrJonassur]

Beautifull, i am a bass player. I am from brazil.

[mycaldane]

I’ve learned from Chris, went to his tape camps and couldn’t say enough about him. One of the realist most down to earth dudes. His ideology of “self made” is astonishing. One of the best business minds in the industry. Good ole’ Cam used to be one of my instructors. This video brought me back to when I lived and studied in Nashville.