Sunset Sound
Sunset Sound is a 3 studios facility based in Hollywood (6650 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California 90028), which, coupled with Sound Factory since 1981, is a renown Californian complex where many famous artist recorded from the sixties to this day.
Its development from automotive repair garage to recording studio was achieved by Tutti Camarata (a former director of recording in Walt Disney Company) between 1958-1962.
Prince made Studio 3 in Sunset Sound his primary location for recordings between 1981 and 1987, when he started using the newly built Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, MN, USA, although he had occasional recording sessions in Sunset Sound at least until 1991.
History
Many successful and/or reference albums were recorded in Sunset Sound, from The Doors' Strange Days to Led Zeppelin's IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street.
While artists such as The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Sly & Family Stone or Sam Cooke would favor Studio 1, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, or Rick James would elect studio 2. Prince choose to set residence at studio 3 a facility also used by Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac.
Studios
Prince has recorded in Studio 3 only.
The below equipment is the one currently available at Sunset Sound.
Studio 3
Rooms
- Control Room: 21'x16'x10'
- Performance Area: 38'x18'x12'
- Piano Room: 15'x9'x9.5'
- Iso Room #1: 15'x6'x8'
- Vocal Booth: 16'x14'x8.5'
Console
- 32 x 24 x 8 API-DeMedio-Sunset Sound Custom Console
- 32 inputs / 24 Channel Monitor Section / 8 buss / 8 Echo returns
- 40 inputs available w/ 8 Channel sidecar console.
- API 550-A Equalizer Section (all Modules)
Tape Machines
- Studer A-800 and A-820 or A-827 24-trk
- Ampex ATR-100 2trk
- Alesis MasterLink
- Panasonic DAT
- Otari or HHB CD Recorders
- (2) TimeLine Lynx Synchronizers
Monitors
- JBL/TAD Augspurger-designed 3-way bi-amp Custom Arrays
- Yamaha NS-10M, Auratone T-6
Gear
- (1) AMS RMX-16 Stereo Digital Reverberation System
- (1) AMS DMX-1580s Delay/Harmonizer Unit
- (1) Roland SDE-3000A Digital Delay
- (1) Yamaha Rev-5 (programmable studio reverb and digital effects processor)
- (1) Lexicon PCM-70 (programmable digital effects processor)
- (1) Lexicon PT-11
- (1) Eventide H-3000se Ultra-harmonizer Unit
- (2) Urei 1176-LN Compressor Pre-Amp (LN stands for low noise)
- (4) Kepex II Compressor/Limiter
- (1) Drawmer DS-201 Dual Noise Gate
- (2) DBX-160XT Compressor
- (1) Yamaha SPX-90 II Digital Multi Effects Processor
- (2) Distressors¹
Material Produced
Albums
The following albums have been recorded in Sunset Sound in whole or partially. Check album pages for details.
Prince:
Associated Artists:
Songs
The following songs have been recorded and / or mixed in Sunset Sound.
Click the "show" link on the right to show this section.
|
You can sort the songs listed below per "Title" or "Year".
Title
|
Year
|
Work produced
|
101 |
1987 |
Initial tracking
|
17 Days |
1984 |
Re-recording
|
2 Nigs United 4 West Compton |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
3 x 2 = 6 |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
4ever |
2009 |
Initial tracking (assumed)
|
A Couple Of Miles |
1985 |
Initial tracking and overdubs by Eric Leeds
|
A Million Miles (I Love You) |
1984 |
Initial tracking
|
Adore |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
All My Dreams |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
All That |
1986 |
Initial tracking (of Adore)
|
All The Critics Love U In New York |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
Annie Christian |
1981 |
Overdubs, mixing
|
Another Lonely Christmas |
1983 |
Initial tracking
|
Anotherloverholenyohead |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
Around The World In A Day |
1984 |
Demo by David Coleman (no Prince input)
|
Automatic |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
Baby Doll House |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Baby Go-Go |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Baby, You're A Trip |
1982-1986 |
Initial tracking, Mixing
|
Blanche |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Blue Limousine |
1984 |
Initial tracking
|
Bob George |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Bold Generation |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
Boom, Boom (Can't U Feel The Beat Of My Heart) |
1989 |
Additional recording and lead vocal overdubs by Jill Jones
|
Boy U Bad |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Boy's Club |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Breathless |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
Can I Play With U? |
1985-1986 |
Initial tracking, saxophone overdubs by Eric Leeds, additional recording by Prince
|
Chili Sauce |
1983 |
Initial tracking
|
Chocolate |
1983 |
Initial tracking, Vocal overdubs by Morris Day (assumed)
|
Christopher Tracy's Parade |
1985 |
Initial tracking (as Wendy's Parade)
|
Cloreen Bacon Skin |
1983 |
Initial tracking
|
Colleen |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
Colonized Mind |
2009 |
Initial tracking (assumed)
|
Come Elektra Tuesday |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
Computer Blue |
1983 |
Initial tracking of re-recording
|
Condition Of The Heart |
1984 |
Initial tracking
|
Controversy |
1981 |
Overdubs, mixing
|
Conversation Piece |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Cookie Jar |
1988 |
Initial tracking
|
Cosmic Day |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Crimson And Clover |
2008 |
Initial tracking
|
Crucial |
1986 |
Saxophone overdubs by Eric Leeds, Guitar solo overdub (assumed)
|
D.M.S.R. |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
Delirious |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
Do Me, Baby |
1981 |
Overdubs, mixing
|
Drawers (Little Rock) |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
Dream Factory |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
Drive Me Wild |
1983 |
Remix
|
Duet with Dad (no known title) |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Eight |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Emotional Pump |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Erotic City |
1983-1984 |
Initial tracking, vocals overdubs by Sheila E.
|
Eternity |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
Euphoria Highway |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Everybody Want What They Don't Got |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
Evolsidog |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
Extraloveable |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
Feel U Up |
1981 |
|
Five |
1986 |
|
For Love |
1985 |
|
Four |
1986 |
|
Free |
1982 |
|
Frustration |
1986 |
|
Funny Love |
1986 |
|
G-Spot |
1983 |
|
Get On Up |
1986 |
|
Gigolos Get Lonely Too |
1981 |
|
Girl |
1985 |
Remixing
|
God |
1983 |
|
Good Love |
1986 |
|
Groove In C Minor |
1986 |
|
Groove In G Flat Minor |
1986 |
|
Heaven |
1985 |
|
Hello |
1985 |
|
High Calonic |
1985 |
|
Holly Rock |
1985 |
|
Housequake |
1986 |
|
How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore |
1982 |
|
I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man |
1982 |
|
I Wonder U |
1985 |
|
Ice Cream Castles |
1984 |
|
If A Girl Answers (Don't Hang Up) |
1982 |
|
If I Could Get Your Attention |
1986 |
|
If I Was Your Girlfriend |
1986 |
|
If It'll Make U Happy |
1982 |
|
If The Kid Can't Make You Come |
1983 |
|
In A Large Room With No Light |
1986 |
|
In A Spanish Villa |
1984 |
|
International Lover |
1982 |
|
Irresistible Bitch |
1981 |
|
It's A Wonderful Day |
1986 |
|
It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night |
1986 |
|
Jack U Off |
1981 |
|
Jaguar |
1987 |
|
Jerk Out |
1981 |
|
Joy In Repetition |
1986 |
|
Jungle Love |
1983 |
|
Junk Music |
1986 |
|
Killin' At The Soda Shop |
1985 |
|
Kiss |
1985 |
|
Koo Koo |
1986 |
|
Lady Cab Driver |
1982 |
|
Last Heart |
1986 |
|
Le Grind |
1986 |
|
Let's Pretend We're Married |
1982 |
|
Let's Work |
1981 |
|
Life Can Be So Nice |
1985 |
|
Living Doll |
1985 |
|
Love And Sex |
1984 |
|
Love And Sex (Sheila E. song) |
1986 |
|
Love Like Jazz |
2009 |
|
Love On A Blue Train |
1986 |
|
Madrid |
1985 |
|
Manic Monday |
1984 |
|
Married Man |
1985 |
|
Mia Bocca |
1982 |
|
Mobile |
1985 |
|
Moonbeam Levels |
1982 |
|
Most Strongest Whiskey |
1985 |
|
My Baby Knows |
1982 |
|
My Drawers |
1984 |
|
My Love Belongs To You |
1983 |
|
My Man |
1986 |
|
My Summertime Thang |
1983 |
|
New Position |
1982 |
|
Next Time Wipe The Lipstick Off Your Collar |
1984 |
|
Nine |
1987 |
Initial Tracking
|
No Call U |
1982 |
|
Noon Rendezvous |
1984 |
|
Old Friends 4 Sale |
1985 |
|
Oliver's House |
1984 |
|
One |
1986 |
|
One Day (I'm Gonna Make You Mine) |
1986 |
|
Ooo She She Wa Wa |
1984 |
|
Others Here With Us |
1985 |
|
Paisley Park |
1984 |
|
Play In The Sunshine |
1986 |
|
Polka-Dot Tiger |
1985 |
|
Pony Ride |
1986 |
|
Pop Life |
1984 |
|
Possessed |
1983 |
|
Power From Above |
1991 |
|
Pride And The Passion |
1986 |
|
Private Joy |
1981 |
|
Rearrange |
1981 |
|
Rebirth Of The Flesh |
1986 |
|
Rescue Me |
1986 |
Initial Tracking
|
Rockhard In A Funky Place |
1986 |
|
Romance 1600 |
1985 |
|
Ronnie Talk To Russia |
1981 |
|
Rough |
1985 |
|
Run Amok |
1985 |
|
Seven |
1986 |
|
Sexuality |
1981 |
|
She Pony |
1985 |
|
She's Always In My Hair |
1983 |
|
Shockadelica |
1986 |
|
Shortberry Strawcake |
1984 |
|
Sign O' The Times |
1986 |
|
Six |
1986 |
|
Six And 1/2 |
1986 |
Initial Tracking
|
Slaughterhouse |
1985 |
|
Slow Groove In G Major |
1986 |
|
Some Kind Of Lover |
1984 |
|
Something In The Water (Does Not Compute) |
1982 |
|
Sometimes It Snows In April |
1985 |
|
Stella And Charles |
1985 |
|
Strange Relationship |
1982 |
|
Strawberry Lover |
1986 |
|
Sugar Walls |
1984 |
|
Superfunkycalifragisexy |
1986 |
|
Take Me With U |
1984 |
|
Teacher, Teacher |
1982 |
|
Telepathy |
1986 |
|
The Beautiful Ones |
1983 |
Initial Tracking
|
The Belle Of St. Mark |
1984 |
Initial Tracking
|
The Bird |
1984 |
Initial tracking (studio version)
|
The Cross |
1986 |
Initial tracking
|
The Glamorous Life |
1983-1984 |
Initial tracking & Sheila E. vocal overdubs
|
The Question Of U |
1985 |
Initial tracking of 12 Keys (instrumental version of The Question Of U)
|
The Walk |
1982 |
Initial tracking
|
There's Something I Like About Being Your Fool |
1981 |
|
Three |
1986 |
|
Tibet |
1985 |
|
Traffic Jam |
1984 |
|
Tricky |
1983 |
|
Turn It Up |
1982 |
|
Two |
1986 |
|
Twosday |
1986 |
|
U Got The Look |
1986 |
|
U Gotta Shake Something |
1985 |
|
U Just Can't Stop |
1985 |
|
Under The Cherry Moon |
1985 |
|
Up From Below |
1986 |
|
Velvet Kitty Cat |
1983 |
|
Violet Blue |
1986 |
|
Voodoo Who |
1985 |
|
Walkin' In Glory |
1986 |
|
Wall Of Berlin |
2008 |
|
We Can Funk |
1983 |
|
Wendy's Parade (Christopher Tracy's Parade) |
1985 |
Initial tracking
|
When Doves Cry |
1984 |
|
When The Dawn Of The Morning Comes |
1986 |
|
Wild And Loose |
1982 |
|
With You |
1979 |
|
Witness 4 The Prosecution |
1986 |
|
Wouldn't You Love To Love Me? |
1976 |
|
XYZ |
1987 |
|
Y'All Want Some More? |
1986 |
|
Yellow |
1985 |
|
Yo Mister |
1986 |
|
You're All I Want |
1982 |
|
You're My Love |
1982 |
|
Zebra With The Blonde Hair |
1985 |
|
|
Trivia
- The string section on Purple Rain was recorded at Sunset Sound's Studio 3 by David Leonard who used a pair of Telefunken 251 microphones to recorded violins while a Neumann U47 was used on the cello.
- While working in the studio on Sign O' The Times material, Prince has been reported to have used the following material at Sunset Sound, wired through the 32 x 24 x 8 API-DeMedio console console to the Studer A-800 recorder.
- Piano & Synthesizers:
- Upright piano
- Oberheim OB-Xa or SX
- Yamaha DX-7
- Ensoniq Mirage
- Roland GR-700 (a guitar synth) with a Roland Jazz Chorus-120 amp.
- Drums:
- LM-1 Linndrum machine.
- Yamaha drum kit.
- Other Gear:
- Boss pedal board.
- Neumann U 87 microphone (for vocals).
References
¹ The Distressor is an automatic gain (or volume) control device (AGC in engineering terms) designed for pro audio (music) applications. Read more about distressors: http://www.empiricallabs.com/distdes.html