Will Noisy Neighbors Change Capitol Sound?

Los Angeles Landmark's Signature Echo Chambers Threatened By Next-Door Noise

(CBS)  For more than 50 years, the Capitol Records Tower has been the curved cornerstone of the Hollywood skyline. Its famed studios, a music mecca, home to many iconic recordings.

Think of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and John Legend.

Today, the studios remain some of the most sought after in the business, CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy reports.

"This is it," said record producer Al Schmitt. "This is the apex."

Schmitt, a multi-Grammy winning producer, says top-name talent come here for the unique sound produced by the studio's secret weapon buried underground: the echo chambers.

"The echo chambers are the best in the world," he said. "There's nothing like them anywhere."

Here's how they work: Recordings in the studio are piped down through the wires to echo chambers built more than 20 feet below ground. Speakers inside the rooms bounce soundwaves into nearby microphones, which are then funneled back up to the studio adding a distinctive echo sound.

You can hear the difference on one Dean Martin track.

The chambers are all behind these doors. They're so important to Capitol they wouldn't let us show them on TV.

But now Capitol has another very un-rock-&-roll like concern. They're worried about their new neighbors making too much noise.

Developers want to build a condo and underground parking lot right next door - 20 feet from the chambers.

Capitol fears bad vibrations during construction could impact them, costing millions in lost recording sessions. So executives took their fight to City Hall, demanding the developers keep the noise down.

"Within 20 feet of the property line, our loudest construction will only be done during the hours from 7 to 10 am when they're not using the recording studios," said David Jordon, co-owner of Second Street Ventures.

The condo builders will also install sound-proof foam near the echo chamber's wall. But that's not quieting fears.

"If something were to happen and the chambers were no longer usable, how much of a loss would that be?" Tracy asked.

"Oh God, it would be heartbreaking," Schmitt said.

Sentiments echoed by many artists who want to make sure that signature Capitol sound plays on.

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Editor's note: Capitol Records executives want to assure the public that the studios remain open, with their acoustic integrity still intact. Sound issues have been resolved with the developers and the agreement will be enforced by the Los Angeles City Council.

[cdfoxtrot1]

If it''s so important, why didn''t they buy the land next door, or part of it at least, to keep the construction away from the building? A lot of people have to put up with too much noise in their lives, some of it due to recordings from this place. I have no sympathy.

[octavianfdlr]

This is SCIENCE?

[rytom64]

Yes, the acoustics of sound is Science.