SOS visit Funkhaus Studios Berlin - East German Broadcasting Studios

Рет қаралды 115,844

9 жыл бұрын

Sound On Sound take a tour of one of the world's most intriguing purpose-built recording complexes: Funkhaus in Berlin. Once employing over 5000 people as the nerve centre of the entire East German broadcast network until 1989, the complex was supplied by its own shops and hospital. At the heart of this site were four huge brick blocks, designed by the former Bauhaus architect Franz Ehrlich and constructed between 1951 and 1956.
Since 2006 the current owners are aiming to re-establish the entire lot as a media production facility, in an industrial area away from the centre of the current Berlin hype. The musical heart of the complex beats in Block B, a 15,000-square-metre building which is possibly the largest purpose-built recording studio in the world. It comprises no fewer than eight ‘inner houses’, each standing on its own foundations for acoustic isolation, but sharing the same outer shell. Block B is home to the enormous Gro er Saal (‘great broadcast hall’); at over 900 square metres, it’s one of the largest recording venues in the world, and even the much smaller Saal 2, with a floor area of around 400 square metres, is similar in size to Abbey Road Studio One. But Block B also encompasses Saal 3 and 4, as well as a few smaller rooms and two studios dedicated to the production of radio plays.
One of these, the former Hörspielstudio (‘radio play studio’) H1 was renamed Planet Roc, and under this name it attracted both a local and international crowd to its rooms replete with GDR patina.
READ MORE in our SOS article: www.soundonsound.com/music-business/funkhaus-studios-berlin
www.funkhaus-berlin.net/
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:51 - Saal Eins
04:19 - Saal Zwei
07:02 - Studio P-4 - Former East German Broadcast Studios
10:45 - Studio 4 Control Room
12:39 - Chamber Music Hall
18:18 - Microphone Selection
21:01 - East German Preamps
22:16 - Studio Star 1 Stereo Reference Monitoring Room
24:30 - Funkhaus Patch Bay
25:20 - Other Former Broadcast Spaces & Studio H13
27:58 - Equipment And Acoustic Instruments
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Пікірлер: 124

@marinamullermckenna-crowho458 Жыл бұрын

I had the honour to do my apprenticeship as a studio technician in these excellent Studios, back in the 1970s. Now, after half a century, it still sends shivers down my spine watching this fantastic video and seeing the different studios and buildings which in my feeling I only roamed yesterday. Even though I am now living far away from Berlin, the Funkhaus Nalepastraße will be forever kind of a "home" to me.

@ViktorKralovic 9 жыл бұрын

This is one of the most beautiful videos I've seen in my life. You can feel the dedication of everybody involved.

@moabitrockt 7 жыл бұрын

Saal 1 is easily the best acoustic I have ever played. You will feel the tension that builds up with your fellow musicians once they realize what is possible! The room is very well sealed against outside noise, because It used to be in the flight path to Tempelhof ( another highly functional building in Berlin which is denied to service). Being a prestige project, even when the GDR was having economic problems, they invested in newest japanese quadrophonic technologies, i think Philips in the late 80s. It is really annoying to think about all these buildings in Berlin which are designed nearly flawless and not used (Nalepastraße,Tempelhof), will not be used in near future (Tegel) or have been symbolically razed (Palast der Republik). It is such a waste. Instead we build crappy new things that are not up to these standards, with few expections....

@donkeyfacekilla1 9 жыл бұрын

A real anachronism. What a place! Very thankful that places like this can still exist. Thanks again SOS for another great video!

@barnabyhall6739 9 жыл бұрын

SOS are starting to make the best videos about Audio on You Tube. Please keep this up.

@deejaydubla 9 жыл бұрын

That bit at the end is a revelation.

@aljo54 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for this video. A real treat for anyone who loves recording.

@shadowmixx 4 жыл бұрын

Jeez!!! The history of recording and worldwide studios never cease to amaze me. Thank U Sound On Sound for bringing us the window to this world.

@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849 10 ай бұрын

...speaking of which...there's a massive, semi-abandoned recording complex in South Africa you might be interested in seeing. It was state of the art as of the time it closed its doors (I think in the early 90's). Your comment is 4 years old as I write this and I'm pretty sure I saw that video longer than 4 years ago. Don't remember if it's by Sound On Sound, but it's worth looking for!

@shadowmixx 10 ай бұрын

@@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849 Cool. thank you for letting me know about it. Cheers!

@VoxJ 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you SOS for a great and very interesting video!

@Itbonlinemixingandmastering 9 жыл бұрын

This goes beyond beautiful. And those are the most charming and dedicated engineers.

@pete5534 2 жыл бұрын

These philosophies are the antithesis of how things are built and utilized in my city at this moment. In a time where we pledge, or claim to be more environmentally sensitive we are churning out spaces and objects that use vast amounts of matter, yet are designed to serve for such a limited time. The notion of architects and acousticians working together is one I believe needs to be revisited. Thank you for this wonderful film.

@Signal_Glow Жыл бұрын

Same thing in my city; they built big hall for sports and musical events but didn't really consider what acousticians suggested. After a lot of rebuilding, adding materials, half finished project we have place got closed space stadium with very bad acoustics, the roof can't support speakers and lights for modern productions. It is a pity because it would require a lot less material and money for way better sound but nothing can be done anymore. I hope great place from the video will continue to improve, we have enough supermarkets and skyscrapers...

@vigilant545 9 жыл бұрын

Wow, that was a treat. Thanks SOS!

@stuff4826 2 жыл бұрын

here here, keeping a whole world alive

@cozmovox 8 жыл бұрын

the most refreshing and interesting documentary about sound recording and mixing i've seen in years. I finally got to know the real masters insted of those gear maniacs on youtube always going like "look how good this sounds"

@maxferreiroMop 7 жыл бұрын

gear maniacs ! love it!!

@greagandev 9 жыл бұрын

Wow. Wow. Wow. Why am I not in Berlin. Truly astonishing studio complex. For engineers/producers, heaven on earth.

@studiowerkvier6988 5 жыл бұрын

I'd prefer Shangri La Malibu or Blackbird Nashville... This studio in Berlin is a curiosity but has a bad vibe

@stuff4826 2 жыл бұрын

@@studiowerkvier6988 woah, metaphysical shots fired! better hope he doesnt have an old vril shield stashed away... get your whole mojo zonked.

@manteuro 6 ай бұрын

@@studiowerkvier6988 and you have came to that conclusion despite the video explaining the success and extremely favorable usage of the studio facility throughout its history? yeah we need to shut down the entire studio now cause this guy says it has a bad vibe!

@studiowerkvier6988 6 ай бұрын

@@manteuro the whole city has a bad vibe

@jmsjms296 Ай бұрын

@@manteuro Forgot those GDR days, dude?

@professorhamamoto 7 жыл бұрын

Learned a helluva lot. The proprietor of Funkhaus is a brilliant artist and teacher.

@aussie_philosopher8079 2 жыл бұрын

An R.T 60 of 2.4 sec would be beautiful in a space like that. Kudos to the architects and acousticians.

@konradwelz8752 2 жыл бұрын

This is such a gentle, wonderful video. Balm for the soul - like the perfectly aged wood and stone cladding of those studios.

@vincentmeelberg9954 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video! It is super inspiring and focuses on what is essential in recording: sound, space and skill.

@RickyLaneMusic 9 жыл бұрын

Great tour! Let's hope the new owners can afford to maintain this wonderful huge building complex!

@pietcandeel9214 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you SOS - very nice video, I enjoyed it a lot.

@FVDaudio 9 жыл бұрын

Wonderful... Thanks SOS

@juliusbernotas 5 жыл бұрын

I just checked their website and photos of that building complex. That is a truly amazing example of 1950's architecture, with tons of wood paneling and a general monumental, austere feel. I really hope it gets preserved like that.

@JCNeupert 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for your explanations, expecially on the Hörspielkomplex (25:34).

@ozorg 9 жыл бұрын

great place - thx for uploading!

@IndyVisuals 9 жыл бұрын

I don't usually enjoy long videos, but this was awesome!! Now I'm thinking of going to Germany to visit this place.

@bengom68 7 жыл бұрын

Congratulationes , what a wonderfull complex , keep it up !

@zundap100 8 жыл бұрын

Love it, thanks.

@ambientfairchild 9 жыл бұрын

was at an experimental music fest here a few years ago. sound was beyond astonishing...bastonishing actually

@vinylcity1599 4 жыл бұрын

I'm obsessed with the art of recording! I can never buy enough record's!

@lkb3rd 7 жыл бұрын

What an amazing place full of interesting people!

@GuillermoCarrasco 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks...................................................... !

@ThomasvonWelt 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!!

@GemExperience 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks SOS this stuff is gold :)

@luizronconi 9 жыл бұрын

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

@djspecialpaul 6 жыл бұрын

Nice video - i was in this place often with a friend - his father work there during the GDR (DDR) - in this time they did many things there.

@jarnoalho5573 3 жыл бұрын

GREAT! I love this video!

@bentyreman5769 9 жыл бұрын

they don't half do things properly germans...this place is incredible, truly astonishing live space.

@OmmerSyssel 3 жыл бұрын

Calm down.. Funkhaus is one of the very few constructions of excellenct quality created in the last European dictatorship. Often rest of DDR literally consisted of compressed cardboard and shiny plastic of mediocre quality 🙈

@strictlydubrecords 3 жыл бұрын

Is there a possibillity to visit this place? Just to watch and feel it in and around.... I can't describe what I feel after watching this. This totally shaped my understanding about what I'm doing and in what studios I've been.... This is true reality. A fact of best way to record music and produce it.

@quartfeira 3 жыл бұрын

19€/90 minutes tour. Maybe not now, because of covid, but in normal conditions you can.

@puciohenzap891 2 жыл бұрын

@@quartfeira This definitely goes on my bucket list then, next would be BOP in Mafikeng.

@MarcNevali 4 жыл бұрын

this video is pure gold.

@jessiebeveridge742 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Totally awesome.

@tianchezhou8383 Жыл бұрын

great!!

@jackpaice 3 жыл бұрын

What an incredibly fascinating place!

@d_s_ctube 8 жыл бұрын

Amazing. I must get to see this place.

@devtank 6 жыл бұрын

Fascinating.

@hielehielehiele 7 жыл бұрын

thanks sos

@LDdrums20 3 жыл бұрын

Wow just wow

@RayR 4 жыл бұрын

Great stuff.

@TiqueO6 5 жыл бұрын

13:45 he’s said the magic words, “Ribbon mics”! For me and a few others, but growing daily, they’re the only 'real' microphones. I’m very excited to hear some of these recordings. I also wonder how much influence of the “magic rectangles“ halls like at the Musikverein in Austria has come into play in these marvelous spaces! (I was able to go into the best hall there before anyone was there to scold me and simply clap a single hand-clap. The decay was truly like silk, so smoothe and for sure like 2.5 seconds. Then later one can sense the amplification yet diffusion of that space. Musicians I've spoken with who played there have said it’s both the most difficult and easy room to play music in because the orchestra can hear each other clearly across the stage for tuning rhythm and dynamics yet the slightest error or errant sound is also amplified.

@FishingITGuy 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@user-jv4cg5eg9j 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome guys!! Give us some more of a German sounds!!

@toraimanchester4658 4 жыл бұрын

the fact that the organ is non operational just about sums this place up...

@georgee.todddgph957 8 жыл бұрын

Werner Nieke, thus is a must to see

@revoxjazz8317 5 жыл бұрын

So amazing, this Funkhaus Berlin! Wish i had the luck of work in there!

@stuff4826 2 жыл бұрын

hmmm, OK! Behold! your luck has been granted! will you be paying in cash or check?

@ericwilhelm2941 7 жыл бұрын

There is NO Shitting around here......german precision ! ;-) Thats the way i like it. Wundervoll

@thewompclub 9 жыл бұрын

If I ever go to Berlin you can count on me to get a taxi straight to Funkhaus.

@stuff4826 2 жыл бұрын

you get in, "to the funkhaus!" and tires spin...or no wait, an old nazi portal materializes, this guy here walks out but he's got his wizard sht on, "come, theres much for you to learn, the funkhaus awaits"

@thewompclub 2 жыл бұрын

amazing lore for an amazing studio

@darrellrobinson9354 4 жыл бұрын

An entire studio dedicated to Funk. So cool.

@meshplates 6 жыл бұрын

Wonderful. The approach is hifi, being true to a live acoustic. No one knows this listening to a recording though.

@brngsh5549 5 жыл бұрын

Freaking love it.

@andym28 9 жыл бұрын

Wow

@fredbissnette3104 4 жыл бұрын

This place is nuts it's a temple of acoustics

@maxferreiroMop 8 жыл бұрын

Rammstein Recorded the Orchestra for Reise,Reise in this studios :D

@MrDastern 8 жыл бұрын

Very well entertaining and informational video! Maybe you can do one about the Funkhaus in Vienna, wich is still operated by the austrian (state owned) broadcaster, before they close it? (Yes they really sold the building to rip it down for fancy apartement space... :-(

@henwoodstudios 8 жыл бұрын

Magic.

@jacobsmith1877 3 жыл бұрын

I like how the intro says "a few of the countless rooms" like you can't count the number of rooms in a building

@THEWEIRDSISTERS69 3 жыл бұрын

Man howdy how I'm funk housin' now

@ChristianIce 8 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that's beyond. Can you give us mortals an IR impulse or something? :)

@TheSteveSteele 7 жыл бұрын

It exists.

@ideabeats 3 жыл бұрын

Ti ritrovo in qualsiasi video inerente all'audio in generale, sei ovunque ahahah

@billybeeks 8 жыл бұрын

This one looks right!!!

@javiceres 5 жыл бұрын

Oh my...

@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for this! except i had to put my hand over that light otherwise it's an instant headache for me ahah

@atomicrocker 7 жыл бұрын

I was there in the early 70s. But not inside the studios! 8:42 = EMT 140

@DOPWELLMUSICPRODUCTIONS 9 жыл бұрын

very interesant

@schattenurmel 7 жыл бұрын

Gonna be there 4-6 og August to celebrate 20 years of perlon records =)

@nordsun 5 жыл бұрын

It's my dream to play at Saal 1 on day...

@stanleybadams 7 жыл бұрын

fantastic! wonderful acoustics esp for orchestral. but even rock or bluegrass would work. the new schemerhorn hall in Nashville is comparable but on a much smaller scale. wonderful engineering.

@lowbudgetproduktion1932 3 жыл бұрын

A few years ago I had the opportunity to record in the hall. With a symphony orchestra and choir. It's definitely one of the best recording rooms. Unfortunately the building complex was a bit neglected at the time. It deserves more. At one point he said Funk, it translates to radio, not funk music. ;-)

@MTFLabs 8 жыл бұрын

Such an incredible venue. We'll be here for Music Tech Fest Berlin at the end of May! You can get tickets at: www.ticketbase.com/events/mtfberlin

@blaubeersauce353 8 ай бұрын

Thank you very much. Does a specific temperature cause a hearable difference to the acoustics? Ist 2.4 the length of reverb at that temperature? But 2.5 sound different? Thanks for yer explanations.❤

@JC3D 4 жыл бұрын

19:00 ahhh the mics

@Nullllus 8 жыл бұрын

I crave for some nice space in my life.

@tk-zh3dd 5 жыл бұрын

Hmm... It would have been nice to hear the room instead of lav mics.

@folkstudiofaisalabadpakist3348 8 жыл бұрын

i liek ths studio

@zakaroonetwork777 Жыл бұрын

Sucks That none Of the Sound of these Great Rooms come through in this Interview. Its like watching Jimmy Hendrix play Guitar with the Mute on. Who was the Failure who produced this? See you at NAMM.

@brauliosfx 9 жыл бұрын

Whast the complete name of the speakers in minute_ 12:07_ Gaitan Speakers????????? i cant find them- Can somebody help me ;=) thanks

@Tassilo1977 8 жыл бұрын

+Braulio gofio They are called "Geithain" look in google for geithain speakers you will find their page.

@stuff4826 2 жыл бұрын

senn 441?! oh i have a pair of those!...uh nevermind :O

@RollieFingers59 4 жыл бұрын

Is this man wearing a straight jacket ?

@GriffBall2cold 5 жыл бұрын

Didn’t Aphex Twin just play there?

@daleplatino 3 жыл бұрын

Yea. I got 2 studios in here. Shhhh, what Kinda car you drive?

@rexrynuloly2596 6 жыл бұрын

Thats german. Ngak setengah setengah.. Just the most best posible can be

@CzornyLisek 7 жыл бұрын

Sooo it was desing by russian end build in Berlin by germans? Or it's desing end build by germans?

@soundonsound 7 жыл бұрын

It was designed and built by East Germans.

@TheCabinneighbors 9 жыл бұрын

What is the music at 20:00 ?

@soundonsound 9 жыл бұрын

Jonathan Thompson Hey! It's www.malteschiller.com and www.spielvereinigungsued.de

@olajideparis 8 жыл бұрын

+Sound On Sound magazine I manage a unique space in the former soviet union I would love to have you guys look at, how can I get in touch?

@soundonsound 8 жыл бұрын

+olajide paris send an email to will.betts@soundonsound.com and we can discuss.

@mikefinney423 5 жыл бұрын

That studio/performance space is quite awesome. That guy's shirt....eeehhhh...not so much.

@retromograph3893 3 жыл бұрын

Ironically probably not the best place to record funk ........ but still an amazing studio ...

@musicaltechnique1620 2 жыл бұрын

The word "Funk" does translate to "radio transmission", not to be confused with the music genere ;)

@retromograph3893 2 жыл бұрын

@@musicaltechnique1620 all good, I was just messin abaat.

@ingvarjensen1088 2 жыл бұрын

You have to keep in mind that this building was not erected bei the Russians but by the East Germans ;-)

@ingoodmusic 9 жыл бұрын

This could be the best analog studio in the world, but you just ruined it with that digital stuff

@Tassilo1977 8 жыл бұрын

+ingoodmusic I think we can rather be happy that the complex itself is still existing. There have been a lot of very dubious owners promising big visions to stupid politicians but nothing was ever delivered. I think it was sold 4 times within 15 years. The newest owner sounds promising as he is dedicated to leave the Studio Renters untouched and even tries to get big companies like Native Instruments involved etc. Lets see.