Pal Recording Studio
Encyclopedia
Pal Recording Studio was an independent recording studio that operated in Cucamonga, California (now known as Rancho Cucamonga
.) The studio was started by engineer/innovator Paul Buff. The studio is known for its instrumental Surf music
recordings like Wipeout and the original demo recording of Pipeline
. The original location was at 8020 North Archibald Avenue. The studio later moved down the street to 8040 North Archibald Avenue.
Pal was also the training ground for a young Frank Zappa
who worked at the studio starting in 1961. Zappa learned basic recording techniques at Pal. He recorded his first rock n' roll record, Breaktime, by The Masters, which consisted of himself, Paul Buff, and Ronnie Williams. In 1964, Zappa bought the studio and re-named it Studio Z. Zappa lived at the studio building for a few months before it was closed in 1964. The building had to be torn down in order to widen North Archibald Avenue.
Zappa made many other recordings at the studio. Some were released on small Los Angeles
based record companies, such as Original Sound
. Other recordings were kept in his vault and released later on albums such as Lumpy Gravy
(1967), Mystery Disc
(1985), The Lost Episodes
(1995), and Cucamonga
(1998).
Paul Buff engineered the original demo recording of Pipeline by The Chantays
and Wipe Out by The Surfaris
using his unique custom built recording machine, which recorded 5 tracks on 1/2 inch recording tape. Buff went on to invent the Kepex, an acronym for KEyable Program EXpander (the opposite of an audio compressor). Paul Buff's Alison Research studio products became common on pop recordings (Alan Parsons
would use a Kepexed drum sound to create the 'heartbeat' heard on Pink Floyd
's The Dark Side of the Moon
.)
Other notable musicians/bands that recorded at Pal Recording Studio:
Notable songs:
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga is a suburban city in San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,269, up from 127,743 at the 2000 census. L. Dennis Michael was elected as Mayor on November 2, 2010. Jack Lam is the City Manager...
.) The studio was started by engineer/innovator Paul Buff. The studio is known for its instrumental Surf music
Surf music
Surf music is a genre of popular music associated with surf culture, particularly as found in Orange County and other areas of Southern California. It was particularly popular between 1961 and 1965, has subsequently been revived and was highly influential on subsequent rock music...
recordings like Wipeout and the original demo recording of Pipeline
Pipeline (song)
"Pipeline" is a surf rock tune by The Chantays which was recorded in 1963.The tune, originally called "Liberty's Whip," was renamed after the band members saw a surfing movie showing scenes of the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. The tune, fitting in with the popular surfing craze of the time, swiftly...
. The original location was at 8020 North Archibald Avenue. The studio later moved down the street to 8040 North Archibald Avenue.
Pal was also the training ground for a young Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
who worked at the studio starting in 1961. Zappa learned basic recording techniques at Pal. He recorded his first rock n' roll record, Breaktime, by The Masters, which consisted of himself, Paul Buff, and Ronnie Williams. In 1964, Zappa bought the studio and re-named it Studio Z. Zappa lived at the studio building for a few months before it was closed in 1964. The building had to be torn down in order to widen North Archibald Avenue.
Zappa made many other recordings at the studio. Some were released on small Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
based record companies, such as Original Sound
Original Sound
Original Sound is a Los Angeles, California-based record label. It was founded in the early 1950s by KPOP deejay Art Laboe. It began as a small label that specialized in compiling and re-releasing "oldies" R&B and rock 'n' roll songs...
. Other recordings were kept in his vault and released later on albums such as Lumpy Gravy
Lumpy Gravy
Lumpy Gravy is the first solo album by Frank Zappa, originally released in 1967, but not generally available until May 1968. Zappa was credited as conductor on the album cover and he described the contents as "a curiously inconsistent piece, which started out to be a BALLET, but probably didn't...
(1967), Mystery Disc
Mystery Disc
Mystery Disc is a compilation album by Frank Zappa. It was released on CD in 1998, compiling tracks that were originally released on two separate vinyl records and included in the mail order Old Masters box sets, which were released in three volumes between 1985 and 1987...
(1985), The Lost Episodes
The Lost Episodes
The Lost Episodes is a 1996 posthumous album by Frank Zappa which compiles previously unreleased material. Much of the material covered dates from early in his career, and as early as 1958, into the mid-1970s...
(1995), and Cucamonga
Cucamonga (album)
Cucamonga is a compilation album consisting of songs recorded with the involvement of Frank Zappa and Paul Buff at Pal Recording Studio in 63-64. In 2004, Rhino Records re-released the album with extra tracks and a new track order, after acquiring Del-Fi...
(1998).
Paul Buff engineered the original demo recording of Pipeline by The Chantays
The Chantays
The Chantays are an American surf rock band from the early 1960s, known for the hit instrumental, "Pipeline" . Their music combined electronic keyboards and surf guitar, creating a unique ghostly sound.-History:...
and Wipe Out by The Surfaris
The Surfaris
The Surfaris were an American surf rock band formed in Glendora, California in 1962. They are best known for two songs that hit the charts in the Los Angeles, California area, and nationally by May 1963: "Surfer Joe" on the A-side and "Wipe Out" on the B-side of a 45 RPM single.-Career:The original...
using his unique custom built recording machine, which recorded 5 tracks on 1/2 inch recording tape. Buff went on to invent the Kepex, an acronym for KEyable Program EXpander (the opposite of an audio compressor). Paul Buff's Alison Research studio products became common on pop recordings (Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons is a British audio engineer, musician, and record producer. He was involved with the production of several significant albums, including The Beatles' Abbey Road and Let It Be, as well as Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon for which Pink Floyd credit him as an important contributor...
would use a Kepexed drum sound to create the 'heartbeat' heard on Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in March 1973. It built on ideas explored in the band's earlier recordings and live shows, but lacks the extended instrumental excursions that characterised their work following the departure...
.)
Other notable musicians/bands that recorded at Pal Recording Studio:
- The Tornadoes
- Dino Dupree and the Pharaohs
- Conrad and the Hurricane Strings
Notable songs:
- Wipe Out - The Surfaris
- Pipeline - The Chantays (Demo)
- Tijuana Surf - The Hollywood Persuaders (a Zappa production)
- Grunion Run - The Hollywood Persuaders (another Zappa production, which was a hit record in Mexico.)