Big Blue Meenie Recording Studio
Encyclopedia
Big Blue Meenie is a production house in Jersey City, New Jersey
famous for its clientele.
, near Washington Park, and was built in the late 19th Century. Prior to 1981, it was used by a Chandelier
factory, until it stopped operation in the late 20th Century.
self-titled first album Reggie Lucas
, purchased the building and opened a recording studio, Quantum Sound Studios. By 1986 it was reported to feature the first SSL
mix room, a 48 input SSL 4000 console with Total Recall, in Northern New Jersey as well as an extensive collection of MIDI synthesizers and gear and a Synclavier
digital audio system. Grammy Award
-winning music studio engineer and producer Andy Wallace
mixed tracks for Helmet
and Rage Against the Machine
, as well as and many others at Quantum in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Other musicians and producers used Lucas' studio for hire approach for recording, like INXS
and Queen Latifah
. By 1994 Lucas left the studio, and although he had spent a lot of time and effort fitting the original factory with the control rooms and recording spaces, by the time it was purchased by its successor in 1998, the old Quantum studios were in a state of extreme dilapidation.
, primarily using an 8-track recorder
. After several years of growing success and a positive reputation among musicians in the area, the group began closing down their original locations and made arrangements to buy the former Quantum Sound Studios in 1998; on February 2, 1999 the building was officially purchased. On June 18, 1999, the facility officially opened with the then first of its kind mixer, an Amek
9098i analog console built by console engineer Rupert Neve
. The Amek at Big Blue Meenie is one of about twenty in the world. Under the producer Sal Villanueva
and the rest of the engineers, several post-hardcore bands began their career recording at the studio;
Thursday
recorded their debut album Waiting in 1999, and Taking Back Sunday
recorded Tell All Your Friends
in 2001, which on its 2005 reissue featured a bonus song called "The Ballad of Sal Villanueva". Thursday has continually gone back to Villanueva, including his recording of the breakout album Full Collapse
in 2001.
Throughout its existence, 24 Gold and 10 Platinum records have been mixed or recorded at the 512 Paterson Plank facility; and some of the Gold and Platinum records are displayed in in the reception area upon entering the studio.
suites. On the second floor, Big Blue Meenie had its own mastering outfit, named Surgical Sound, but the second floor is now used by studio D. The studio has used analog
and two-inch tapes to record the initial take, and then upload them into a digital environment for further editing. In an interview regarding the reasoning behind this approach, Gilles stated:
He also states that he is most comfortable using the two-inch tape, as he is familiar with what this process does to the recordings. Processing the sound in this manner according to Gilles, gives the music the studio mixes and masters a unique thumbprint, and an authentic sound. But depending on the client request or specification, the team does use digital recordings, and are not limited to either process singularly. Big Blue Meenie has worked exclusively with Apple and uses their software Logic Pro
for mixing after analog recording. Other high end equipment and devices used in the studio include an Amek Mozart RN, ADAM S3A monitors, Yamaha
NSTO's, and SL1200 turntables
, as well as an extensive mic
locker with limited and vintage microphones, and "boutique" outboard equipment.
Since the facilities inception in the 1980s, all genres of music have been worked on; although under Quantum, more pop and R&B artists were mixed as opposed to many of the bands that record at Big Blue Meenie today, which are mainly more rock or metal oriented groups. With the equipment and editing software and hardware it has, the recording studio offers studio time for any genre of music, from Rock to Hip Hop and voiceovers. Over the years, the facility on Paterson Plank road has been renovated several times, and the business has grown from about $2000 of gear used by Gilles in his basement to record and mix his own band, to an estimated $2 million studio. It is considered one of the oldest and largest "Open for Hire" studios on the East Coast
.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
famous for its clientele.
History
The facility is located on 512 Paterson Plank RoadPaterson Plank Road
Paterson Plank Road is a road that runs through Passaic, Bergen and Hudson Counties in northeastern New Jersey originally lain in the colonial era. The route, connecting the city Paterson and the Hudson River waterfront, still exists...
, near Washington Park, and was built in the late 19th Century. Prior to 1981, it was used by a Chandelier
Chandelier
A chandelier is a branched decorative ceiling-mounted light fixture with two or more arms bearing lights. Chandeliers are often ornate, containing dozens of lamps and complex arrays of glass or crystal prisms to illuminate a room with refracted light...
factory, until it stopped operation in the late 20th Century.
Quantum Sound
In 1981, the producer of Madonna'sMadonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
self-titled first album Reggie Lucas
Reggie Lucas
Reginald "Reggie" Lucas is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. Lucas is most famous for his production work with percussionist Mtume and for producing the majority of Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album.-Biography:...
, purchased the building and opened a recording studio, Quantum Sound Studios. By 1986 it was reported to feature the first SSL
Solid State Logic
Solid State Logic is a manufacturer of high-end mixing consoles and recording studio hardware headquartered in Begbroke, Oxfordshire, UK.- Company information :...
mix room, a 48 input SSL 4000 console with Total Recall, in Northern New Jersey as well as an extensive collection of MIDI synthesizers and gear and a Synclavier
Synclavier
The Synclavier System was an early digital synthesizer, polyphonic digital sampling system, and music workstation, manufactured by New England Digital Corporation, Norwich, VT. The original design and development of the Synclavier prototype occurred at Dartmouth College with the collaboration of...
digital audio system. Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning music studio engineer and producer Andy Wallace
Andy Wallace (producer)
Andy Wallace is a Grammy Award-winning music studio engineer with a long track record of successful productions, beginning with the 1986 production of the Run-DMC/Aerosmith collaboration on "Walk This Way" with Rick Rubin...
mixed tracks for Helmet
Helmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
and Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, as well as and many others at Quantum in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Other musicians and producers used Lucas' studio for hire approach for recording, like INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
and Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
. By 1994 Lucas left the studio, and although he had spent a lot of time and effort fitting the original factory with the control rooms and recording spaces, by the time it was purchased by its successor in 1998, the old Quantum studios were in a state of extreme dilapidation.
Big Blue Meenie
In 1991, Tim Gilles and his then wife, Julie as well as Joe Mahoney and Tom Aldi started Big Blue Meenie Studios in the basement of his house, in Hackensack, New JerseyHackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
, primarily using an 8-track recorder
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
. After several years of growing success and a positive reputation among musicians in the area, the group began closing down their original locations and made arrangements to buy the former Quantum Sound Studios in 1998; on February 2, 1999 the building was officially purchased. On June 18, 1999, the facility officially opened with the then first of its kind mixer, an Amek
AMS Neve
AMS Neve Ltd was the result of the amalgamation in 1992 of AMS with Neve Electronics.-Background:Neve Electronics was a British manufacturer of mixing consoles that originated in the work of Rupert Neve in the 1960s...
9098i analog console built by console engineer Rupert Neve
Rupert Neve
Rupert Neve is an English electronics engineer and entrepreneur, who is particularly known as a designer of professional recording equipment. He is known for his work on microphone preamplifier, equalizers, and early large format mixing consoles...
. The Amek at Big Blue Meenie is one of about twenty in the world. Under the producer Sal Villanueva
Sal Villanueva
Sal Villaneuva is an Italian-American record producer. A stalwart of the music scene for years, Villaneuva cut his teeth in the New York hardcore scene, playing in various bands including Demonspeed and Murphy's Law...
and the rest of the engineers, several post-hardcore bands began their career recording at the studio;
Thursday
Thursday (band)
Thursday were an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formed in 1997, the group has released six full-length albums, their most recent being No Devolución, which was released in April 2011 on Epitaph Records...
recorded their debut album Waiting in 1999, and Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara , John Nolan , Eddie Reyes , Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell ....
recorded Tell All Your Friends
Tell All Your Friends
- Vinyl Pressings :Tell All Your Friends has been pressed four times by Victory Records, with the first two featuring artwork that differs from the CD.- Singles :*"Cute Without the 'E' "*"Great Romances of the 20th Century"...
in 2001, which on its 2005 reissue featured a bonus song called "The Ballad of Sal Villanueva". Thursday has continually gone back to Villanueva, including his recording of the breakout album Full Collapse
Full Collapse
Full Collapse is Thursday's second album and their debut on Victory Records. It combines post-hardcore influences with melodic elements and personal, emotional lyrics. The album helped to establish Thursday as an immensely popular group in the indie and alternative rock music scenes...
in 2001.
Throughout its existence, 24 Gold and 10 Platinum records have been mixed or recorded at the 512 Paterson Plank facility; and some of the Gold and Platinum records are displayed in in the reception area upon entering the studio.
Equipment and Features
The 2 floor building has a total area between 8500 square feet (789.7 m²) and 9000 square feet (836.1 m²) and has 3 main performing studios, named Studios A, B, C and a fourth room D, as well as "The Batcave", a mixing room solely for beat-making and editing. Overall, Big Blue Meenie contains 4 control rooms, 2 live performance spaces, and features 4 ISO rooms and 3 editing/support DAWDigital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
suites. On the second floor, Big Blue Meenie had its own mastering outfit, named Surgical Sound, but the second floor is now used by studio D. The studio has used analog
Analog recording
Analog recording is a technique used for the recording of analog signals which among many possibilities include audio frequency, analog audio and analog video information for later playback.Analog recording methods store signals as a continual wave in or on the media...
and two-inch tapes to record the initial take, and then upload them into a digital environment for further editing. In an interview regarding the reasoning behind this approach, Gilles stated:
He also states that he is most comfortable using the two-inch tape, as he is familiar with what this process does to the recordings. Processing the sound in this manner according to Gilles, gives the music the studio mixes and masters a unique thumbprint, and an authentic sound. But depending on the client request or specification, the team does use digital recordings, and are not limited to either process singularly. Big Blue Meenie has worked exclusively with Apple and uses their software Logic Pro
Logic Pro
Logic Pro is a hybrid 32 / 64 bit digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software application for the Mac OS X platform. Originally created by German software developer Emagic, Logic Pro became an Apple product when Apple bought Emagic in 2002...
for mixing after analog recording. Other high end equipment and devices used in the studio include an Amek Mozart RN, ADAM S3A monitors, Yamaha
Yamaha Pro Audio
Yamaha Pro Audio, Inc. is a company that offers a complete line of professional audio products for the live sound and sound reinforcement markets...
NSTO's, and SL1200 turntables
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
, as well as an extensive mic
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
locker with limited and vintage microphones, and "boutique" outboard equipment.
Since the facilities inception in the 1980s, all genres of music have been worked on; although under Quantum, more pop and R&B artists were mixed as opposed to many of the bands that record at Big Blue Meenie today, which are mainly more rock or metal oriented groups. With the equipment and editing software and hardware it has, the recording studio offers studio time for any genre of music, from Rock to Hip Hop and voiceovers. Over the years, the facility on Paterson Plank road has been renovated several times, and the business has grown from about $2000 of gear used by Gilles in his basement to record and mix his own band, to an estimated $2 million studio. It is considered one of the oldest and largest "Open for Hire" studios on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
.
Notable recordings
| Artist | Album(s) | Personnel |
|---|---|---|
| Taking Back Sunday Taking Back Sunday Taking Back Sunday is a rock band from Long Island, NY, formed in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Current members of the band are Adam Lazzara , John Nolan , Eddie Reyes , Shaun Cooper and Mark O'Connell .... |
Tell All Your Friends Tell All Your Friends - Vinyl Pressings :Tell All Your Friends has been pressed four times by Victory Records, with the first two featuring artwork that differs from the CD.- Singles :*"Cute Without the 'E' "*"Great Romances of the 20th Century"... |
Sal Villanueva |
| Thursday Thursday (band) Thursday were an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formed in 1997, the group has released six full-length albums, their most recent being No Devolución, which was released in April 2011 on Epitaph Records... |
Kill the House Lights Kill the House Lights Kill the House Lights is a compilation album by New Jersey rock group Thursday. The album includes many unreleased versions of older songs as well as three new songs. It also includes a DVD with a documentary on the band and live performances. The name of the record derives from a lyric from the... War All the Time Five Stories Falling Five Stories Falling -Personnel:*Geoff Rickly - Vocals*Tucker Rule - Drums, backing vocals*Tom Keeley - Guitar, backing vocals*Tim Payne - Bass, backing vocals*Steve Pedulla - Guitar, backing vocals*Sal Villanueva - Production, engineering*Rumblefish - Mixing... Full Collapse Full Collapse Full Collapse is Thursday's second album and their debut on Victory Records. It combines post-hardcore influences with melodic elements and personal, emotional lyrics. The album helped to establish Thursday as an immensely popular group in the indie and alternative rock music scenes... Waiting |
Sal Villanueva |
| Calico System Calico System Calico System was a metalcore band from St. Louis, Missouri. Eulogy Recordings was the label that Calico System were signed to as of Tuesday, July 17, 2007, when Calico System disbanded. via blog, they stated "CALICO SYSTEM IS BREAKING UP".-History:... |
They Live They Live They Live is a 1988 science fiction/horror film directed by John Carpenter, who also wrote the screenplay under the pseudonym Frank Armitage .... |
|
| Family Jewels The Family Jewels (band) The Family Jewels was a United States rock band, which released an album of pop with humorous lyrics.The band was formed in 1991 by three childhood friends after a quiet get-together became a drunken jam fest... |
Chuck and Louise | |
| Catch 22 Catch 22 (band) Catch 22 is an American ska punk band from East Brunswick Township, New Jersey.The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Tomas Kalnoky and drummer Chris Greer who recruited trumpeter Kevin Gunther, who was working in a local record store... |
Washed Up and Through the Ringer Washed Up and Through the Ringer -Personnel:*Pat Kays - bass guitar*Mike Soprano - trombone, vocals*Ryan Eldred - saxophone, vocals*Chris Greer - drum kit*Kevin Gunther - trumpet, vocals*Pat Calpin - guitar*Jeff Davidson - vocals, tracks 3-18... |
Tim Gilles |
| Agnostic Front Agnostic Front Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash... |
Riot, Riot, Upstart Riot, Riot, Upstart -Personnel:Agnostic Front* Roger Miret – vocals* Vinnie Stigma – guitar* Rob Kabula – bass* Jim Colletti – drumsProdcution* Recorded at Big Blue Meenie Studios, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA* Produced by Lars Frederiksen... Dead Yuppies Dead Yuppies Dead Yuppies is the seventh full-length studio album from New York hardcore band, Agnostic Front. It was released in September, 2001 on Epitaph Records and follows 1999's Riot, Riot, Upstart... |
Tim Gilles Tim Gilles, Erin Farley |
| S.O.D. Stormtroopers of Death Stormtroopers of Death, better known as S.O.D., was a crossover thrash band formed in New York in 1985. They are commonly credited as being among the first bands to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal into a style sometimes called "crossover thrash." The song "March of the S.O.D.," from their 1985... |
Bigger than the Devil Bigger Than the Devil Bigger than the Devil is the third release by crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death . The album was released in May 1999 on the Nuclear Blast label... Speak English or Die: Platinum Edition and 20th Anniversary Edition Speak English or Die Speak English or Die is the first studio album by the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death .After Anthrax finished recording Spreading the Disease, there was still some studio time left, so Scott Ian and Charlie Benante called some friends, practiced some songs, and recorded it all within... Seasoning the Obese |
Tim Gilles |
| INXS INXS INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax... |
Kick | |
| Queen Latifah Queen Latifah Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy... |
Come Into My House | |
| Vision of Disorder Vision of Disorder Vision of Disorder is a hardcore punk band from Long Island, New York, US. Vision of Disorder disbanded in 2002, but reunited from time to time over the next six years. In October 2008, they announced that they would record a new studio album... |
For the Bleeders For the Bleeders For the Bleeders is an album by metalcore/hardcore band Vision of Disorder. Released on August 24, 1999, this is the bands only release on Go-Kart Records... |
Tim Gilles |
| Breaking Pangaea Breaking Pangaea Breaking Pangaea was an emo/indie rock band from Philadelphia, PA. The band gained a small but passionate following from early 2000 to 2003, especially among college students.... |
Phoenix Phoenix (Breaking Pangaea album) Phoenix is the third and final release by Philadelphia emo/indie rock band Breaking Pangaea. It was released in 2003 on Equal Vision Records.-Track listing:#"Worst Part" - 4:10#"Phoenix" - 3:39#"Better Off" - 4:04#"Closer" - 4:24... |
Tim Gilles Erin Farley |
Notable Mixing/Editing
- Pet Shop BoysPet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
- JodeciJodeciJodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
- Rage Against the MachineRage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
- The Toadies
- Jeff BuckleyJeff BuckleyJeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
- SepulturaSepulturaSepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...