Downtown San Antonio hotel fine tunes new high-tech recording studio
You can now record an album where Robert Johnson recorded
One of the most important recordings in music history happened in San Antonio’s Gunter Hotel, and now patrons can try to make the second most important recording at a newly opened studio on the same property.
On November 23, 1936, Robert Johnson laid down the first of only two recordings he made in his life in Room 414 at the downtown hotel. Johnson's music became the keystone of blues and with it most modern pop music. including rock and roll. He was so talented on the guitar that popular legends hold he sold his soul to the devil;
The Gunter Hotel is honoring that legacy with a brand new, state-of-the-art recording studio on the site, the capstone of the hotel's $57 million renovation.
“From the very start of this renovation, we felt that we had a duty to honor the music that has filled these halls for over a century,” said owner Jiwon Choi in a statement. “We hope that the Gunter Studio will create more legendary musical moments that people will be talking about for years to come.”
Located on the hotel's second floor, it was designed by Michael Ramos and Steve Durr. The studio is equipped with a Neve Genesys Black 48-channel hybrid mixing console, Focal Trio studio monitors, and outboard gear from Universal Audio, Neve, Manley, and Pultec. Booking a session includes a dedicated sound engineer, and the space can comfortably accommodate a band of eight.
"We wanted to make sure this studio has everything a professional recording facility should have," said Ramos. "We worked to configure a layout that maximizes the acoustic properties of the space. Recording at the Gunter is more than a standard session; it's an opportunity to leave your mark on a place rich with musical history."
Though the studio is not located in Johnson's actual room, it can still be part of a patron's next album. Visitors are allowed to book the room and record there, then have the music piped down to the actual studio. Perfect for the musician hoping a little of Johnson's aura might rub off on their latest composition.
To celebrate the opening, Gunter Hotel is hosting public viewings from 6-7 pm on August 19, August 26, September 2, and September 9. This includes admission to the singer-songwriter series showcase being held in the accompanying studio lounge. Tickets are $15 and available from this link.
