At the foot of the Alpilles, in a former madder factory turned residential studio, the Studios de la Fabrique have been welcoming the greatest names in music since 2008: Radiohead, Morrissey, Nick Cave, but also Julien Doré, Jean-Louis Aubert or Grand Corps Malade. An extraordinary place, matching its history.
3000 m² of buildings, an analog Neve console with 14,000 knobs and the largest private vinyl collection in France: welcome to one of the most fascinating studios in the country. Here is the complete portrait of this place that has attracted the greatest since its creation.
What are the Studios de la Fabrique?
The Studios de la Fabrique are a recording and residential studio based in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, created in June 2008 by sound engineer Hervé Le Guil. The place occupies "La Fabrique", a former madder and thistle factory active from 1819 to 1967.
This residential studio allows artists to live on site during their sessions, in a unique Provençal setting. The atmosphere is both industrial through its volumes, and warm thanks to the thousands of vinyl records lining the walls of the main room.
Where is La Fabrique studio located?
The Studios de la Fabrique are located in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, at the foot of the Alpilles. The site, named "La Fabrique", is a former madder and thistle factory that operated from 1819 to 1967.
This industrial heritage has been fully rehabilitated into a studio: 3000 m² of buildings offer rare volumes for recording, in an exceptional natural environment. Artists come there to find the calm of Provence and the richness of a place steeped in history.
Key takeaways
- ✔ The place : a former madder and thistle factory, active from 1819 to 1967, in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
- ✔ The founder : Hervé Le Guil, sound engineer and founder of Studio Gimmick in Yerres.
- ✔ The gear : an analog Neve console with 14,000 knobs, surrounded by vinyl records.
- ✔ The artists : Radiohead, Morrissey, Nick Cave, Julien Doré, Jean-Louis Aubert and many others.
Who founded the Studios de la Fabrique?
The Studios de la Fabrique were created in June 2008 by Hervé Le Guil, an experienced sound engineer who had already founded Studio Gimmick in Yerres, where Charles Aznavour, Étienne Daho and Michel Petrucciani recorded.
This experience of the great Parisian studios, combined with the magic of the Provençal place, gave birth to a residential studio designed for the most demanding artists. Hervé Le Guil knew how to turn industrial heritage into a first-rate musical setting.
Which artists recorded at La Fabrique?
The list is impressive. On the international side: Morrissey, Nick Cave, Radiohead, Rammstein and Foals. On the French side: Arthur H, Jacques Higelin, Julien Doré, Jean-Louis Aubert, Les Têtes Raides, Axel Bauer and Piers Faccini. In 2022, Grand Corps Malade, Ben Mazué and Gaël Faye recorded the mini-album Éphémère there.
As France TV summed it up in 2014: "the sound of La Fabrique attracts the greatest". This international reputation owes a lot to the quality of the gear and the unique atmosphere of the place, which artists seek out for their most ambitious projects.
Which gear builds the legend of La Fabrique?
The centrepiece of the studio is an analog Neve console with 14,000 knobs, an absolute reference in the world of recording. This monster of technology offers unrivaled routing and sound possibilities, in the purest tradition of the great studios.
Around the console, the main room is surrounded by vinyl records, creating natural acoustics and a timeless atmosphere. The 3000 m² of buildings make it possible to record orchestras and large ensembles in exceptional conditions.
To equip your project, explore our selection of Neve-style consoles and studio microphones at Green Musicians.
🧠 Pro tip
A tube Neve console colours the signal in a musical way: do not try to record "clean", let the console bring its natural saturation to vocals and instruments. In a home studio, the software emulation of Neve preamps reproduces this warmth on most modern interfaces.
What is the Armand Panigel collection?
The house houses the Armand Panigel collection, an exceptional set of 200,000 classical music vinyl records, 40,000 films and 160,000 books. It is the largest private vinyl collection in France, an invaluable treasure.
These records are not just a decor: they form a living memory of classical music, consultable and used by artists in residence. The main room, surrounded by these discs, offers a unique setting where sonic heritage meets contemporary creation.
What are the Mix with the Masters masterclasses?
Since 2010, the Studios de la Fabrique have hosted the "Mix with the Masters" masterclasses, led by the greatest sound engineers on the planet. These training sessions attract professionals and enthusiasts from all over the world.
It is this double life, recording studio and teaching place, that makes La Fabrique unique. Young talents rub shoulders with mixing legends, in a setting that inspires the transmission of know-how. If you are a beginner, our article on the cheap home studio will give you the foundations to progress at your own pace.
Is La Fabrique studio still active?
Yes, the Studios de la Fabrique are still in operation. The studio continues to welcome artists in residence and to organize the Mix with the Masters masterclasses, which punctuate the year of the place.
Its reputation is not fading: the greatest names keep pushing its doors, attracted by the sound of the Neve console and the magic of Provence. For your own recordings, master the fundamentals with our article on choosing a microphone for vocals.
Why is La Fabrique studio cult?
La Fabrique is cult because it combines the audacity of a reinvented industrial place, a mythical Neve console with 14,000 knobs and the largest private vinyl collection in France. It is a studio that managed to preserve the soul of a heritage while attracting the most innovative artists.
From Radiohead to Grand Corps Malade, from Morrissey to Julien Doré, everyone comes to La Fabrique to find this unique blend of sound and atmosphere found nowhere else. Discover the world of studio gear on the Green Musicians studio category.
FAQ - La Fabrique Studio
Where is La Fabrique studio located?
The studio is located in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, at the foot of the Alpilles.
Who founded the Studios de la Fabrique?
The Studios de la Fabrique were created in June 2008 by sound engineer Hervé Le Guil, founder of Studio Gimmick in Yerres.
Which artists recorded at La Fabrique?
Radiohead, Morrissey, Nick Cave, Rammstein, Foals, Julien Doré, Jean-Louis Aubert, Grand Corps Malade and many others.
What is the Armand Panigel collection?
It is a collection of 200,000 classical music vinyl records, 40,000 films and 160,000 books, the largest private vinyl collection in France.
Can you visit the Studios de la Fabrique?
The studio is a working and residential place for artists, but the Mix with the Masters masterclasses allow you to discover its world.
Is La Fabrique studio still active?
Yes, it is still in operation and continues to welcome artists in residence as well as the Mix with the Masters masterclasses.
Ready to record your next session?
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DISCOVER STUDIO GEARAnd there you have it! We hope this article has given you the urge to (re)discover the history of French recording studios and the gear that shaped music.
We offer a complete catalogue of musical instruments featuring brands from all over the world. Whether you are an amateur or professional musician, our marketplace is designed to bring you the best of music.
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For any question or comment about this article, or if you would like to suggest a topic for an article, feel free to leave a comment below.
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