George Massenburg Labs
(GML)
Introduction
If there is a renaissance man in the world of professional music recording, it would have to be Dr. George Massenburg. He is a Grammy-Award winning engineer whose work with such acts as Linda Ronstadt and Earth, Wind & Fire have made him one of the most recognizable figures in the recording community. But he is also renowned as a recording studio designer and as a product designer, as well. His company, George Massenburg Labs (GML) has developed some of the greatest microphone preamps and equalization units that are being used by fine recording studio facilities around the world.
Which products from GML that were used by the great engineers and recording studio facilities of the past would be a great fit for the educational space?
Without a doubt, the microphone preamps from GML are among the most coveted by recording studio engineers around the world. But, the GML 8200 is a legendary equalization unit and one which helped define the sounds of popular music throughout the 1980s and 1990s. GML products are not just legendary, it is their clean sonic signature and ease of use that make them coveted recording studio staples. GML products are perfect for the educational space. After all, they were designed by the person who invented the parametric equalization unit and whose entire life has been in the service of doing two things— recording brilliant music and creating the products and spaces where it can be accomplished.
GML— 8302
The GML 8302 is one of the most sought-after pieces of gear in the world of professional music recording, along with its sibling, the GML 8304. It offers two of the greatest microphone preamps ever designed for the purpose of recording music. This unit is easy to use and has the legendary sound that is characteristic of Dr. Massenburg’s work— clean, natural and true to the source.
Image: GML 8302
Image courtesy-- George Massenburg Labs
GML— 8304
The GML 8304 offers four pristine microphone preamps in a single rack-space unit. If there is a unit that houses four amazing microphone preamps that can be found in fine recording studio facilities around the world, it is the GML 8304. The unit is also easy to use and offers the same pristine sonic quality that can be found in its sibling— the GML 8302. Both units are perfect for the educational space.
Image: GML 8304
Image courtesy-- George Massenburg Labs
GML— 8200
The GML 8200 is also one of the most highly-coveted pieces of gear in the world of professional music recording. It has been used to shape and to sculpt both individual instrument tracks and stereo mixes since its introduction. The unit features 5-bands of parametric equalization from the very person who invented the concept. I have had the opportunity to use the GML 8200— it sounds phenomenal and is incredibly easy to use. It is a perfect unit for the educational space and for teaching the power and principles of equalization and its use as an art form in music recording.
Image: GML 8200
Image courtesy-- George Massenburg Labs
Why should an educational institution invest in products from GML?
GML products are among the finest in the world, it goes without having to be repeated. However, what has not been mentioned until now is how durable their products truly are— every unit that I have seen has been over twenty years old. Their products are renowned for their sound, for their use in the recording and mixing process— plus, for the engineering prowess that went into designing them in the first place. Our students should have access to excellent products which are durable and easy to use and GML products fit this description in each and every respect.
If you would like more information about GML and the amazing products that were discussed in this article, please use the following links which are listed below.
The following link will take you to the GML website where you can learn more about this legendary corporation and also, find an authorized dealer for their fabulous products in your area.
Special Note: Each of the images in this article appear through the courtesy and generosity of the wonderful people at GML.
Special Thanks— At The Recording Session Vault Educational Website Project, we would like to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to Kazuri Eng at GML for her time and assistance with this article.