Bit to Do

Morrison and Smith were nice enough to give Louisville.com the full tour starting at the birth place of Liquid Sound Studios in Greenville, IN. When we first arrived it appeared that we had arrived at someone’s home. Shortly after looking around we found that this was not just some ordinary house, but that it had been transformed into an eight acre musicians’ compound. We started by walking behind the house where we came across a baseball diamond, a basketball court, and an arcade. There was definitely a vintage feel to the place with a Frogger arcade game from Greentree Skateland to a Mortal Kombat arcade game from Terry Middleton’s Karate and Boxing School.  There were also numerous vintage signs displayed all over the place.  Morrison explained that it isn’t uncommon to have 12-18 hour recording sessions. Being in a room with the same people for that long can get tedious and tense and sometimes musicians need to get out of the studio to clear their minds, relax, and gain inspiration. Morrison wanted to give musicians options for creative thinking and a home away from home.

After viewing the outside grounds we were led through the garage entrance into a striking live recording room. It looked like we had entered a candy shop for musicians. There were numerous guitars, amps, mandolins, organs, drums, etc all over the place. Some of the notable gear Tyler showed us included their DI Box from Fleetwood Mac's The Rumors Album, Jimi Hendrix's headphone box from the Electric Ladyland album, an original Fender/Leslie Vibratone, multiple prototype cabs from Fender, and one of only 25 in existence Custom Shop Fender Vibro King. There were also multiple vintage Martin guitars as well. Morrison said he will go anywhere at any time to get stuff which is totally believable after you view this room.

The control room was impressive as well with signed guitars hanging on the wall, lava lamps illuminating the room, and a large 96 channel analog mixing desk.  Morrison informed us that they offer every recording platform from analog to ¼” reel to reel to 2” tape into the channel desk. Morrison also noted his strong dislike of protools because of its stale sound. Smith humorously talked about how some Bellarmine students were warned not to discuss protools with Morrison since he despises the Protools program so strongly.  Morrison and Smith prefer the sound quality of analog, but the 2” tape into the channel desk is the most popular platform used. Morrison told us of his favorite recording gear, “Our MCI JH-16 24 track tape machine is my absolute baby. One of a very few tape machines left in operation and the only one of its kind in this region.”  Liquid Sound is one of only three studios that still utilizes analog in the area. All of the equipment at the Greenville location will be moving to its new home at Liquid Sound Studios at 3328 Corydon Pike in New Albany, IN. 

Photos: arcade, guitars, track tape machine; Brian Bohannon