EQ

EQ, launched in 1989, was one of the first magazines to acknowledge and address the needs of the independent music production community that had started to rise to dominance as professional recording studios began to decline. The publisher, Miller Freeman, sold EQ and several sister publications to Paul Gallo, who immediately replaced all founding employees with his staff 3000 miles away. After several more changes in ownership over the decades, the magazine was rolled [in 2011] into EM (Electronic Musician). (Jeff Burger)

1993 October

Vol. 4 No. 5

Cooking With Frank
By ?, pp 22-23

Frank Zappa and Spence Chrislu in Utility Muffin Research Kitchen. Photo by John Livzey. "Unfortunately, these photos were some of the last ever taken for the public and Zappa's devoted legion of fans."

PRODUCTION NOTES: Says Spence Chrislu: The studio is about ten to 15 years old. It was originally built in time for Frank's recording of You Are What You Is and it has evolved through a
wide array of Frank Zappa projects. Right now we're in the midst of mixing a new album FZ produced featuring the works of Edgard Varèse called The Rage And The Fury.
As far as the aesthetics go, UMRK has a great-sounding room with a hardwood floor, plaster walls, and a 25-foot ceiling. The environment gives the studio its own distinct sound. This is a facility where experimentation is encouraged, and if someone gets an idea, we can immediately stop to try it out. We have the technology to do so, and the creativity to make it happen.

Source: worldradiohistory.com

1994 January

Vol. 5 No. 1

Zappa: The Innovator
By ?, p 8

In the October issue of EQ, the Father of Invention himself, Frank Zappa, took a few moments to sit down for a photo session in his home studio, the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen. Unfortunately, these photos were some of the last ever taken for the public and Zappa's devoted legion of fans. His gracious invitation to bring EQ's readers into his legendary home studio demonstrates Zappa's unyielding commitment to his peers in sound recording. (read more)

Source: worldradiohistory.com

1994 March

Vol. 5 No. 3

Absolutely Frank
By Joe Spiegel, pp 48-50, 52-54, 56
First Impressions
By Joe Chiccarelli, p 52
The UMRK Mix
By Bob Stone, p 54
The Yellow Shark Sessions
By Jon Varman, p 56

Q. When you were working on the remastering of unreleased live material for the You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore series CDs, what sorts of problems did you have with the early analog masters in making them compatible with digital?
A. That stuff came from all different kinds of audio sources, starting with 7 1/2 ips stereo – on one of the discs there's even a cut that's mono. You have to match level, you have to match EQ, and you have to control peaks on some of it. It's the same thing you would do if you were putting together any other kind of anthology, except you're dealing with live tape. (read more)

1997 August

Vol. 4 No. 5

Dweezil Engine
By Mr. Bonzai, pp 68-70, 72-77

The Bonzai Beat falls into the spotlight with this insightful look at Dweezil Zappa's project studio – located within the larger project studio built by his father, Frank. Also learn Dweezil's techniques for recording guitar and writing songs.

Source: worldradiohistory.com