André Perry gained fame as a recording engineer working for
John Lennon, and in the early 1970s was looking to expand his studio, built in a downtown Montreal church. He moved to the remote town of
Morin-Heights, where he owned a lake, and built his studio there, Initially it included a guesthouse about a half-hour's drive away, but it was accidentally burned down by
Roy Thomas Baker and
Ian Hunter, according to studio designer and engineer Nick Blagona. A new house across the lake was later acquired and expanded. By August 1981, the studio had acquired a
JVC BP-90 digital 2-track processor at the choice of André Perry, producer Terry Brown, and then-Le Studio staff engineers
Paul Northfield and Nick Blagona. It was supposedly first used on a double live LP that The Police were mixing at Le Studio that same month, although the André Perry website cites their album
Synchronicity (1983) as being the one. In 1986, Le Studio issued stock on the
Montreal Exchange looking to acquire funding for building a second studio, with audio and video capabilities in
Washington, D.C. 1.1 million shares valued at $3.50 were sold. Perry and Brandeis retained majority interests. They spent $500,000 on a
Quantel Mirage digital video effects unit, hoping to install more equipment to allow the recording of sound effects and film music, as well as a
Synclavier room. In 1988, Perry and Brandeis sold the studio, The property remained for sale until 2009, when the land was purchased with the intent to convert the area to a retreat and spa, but this never eventuated. The complex remained unoccupied and gradually deteriorated, and was broken into and vandalized many times. A US $2.4 million kickstarter campaign was begun in 2015 to rebuild Le Studio, but only $4,000 was pledged. The residential area of the studio was completely destroyed, while the original recording area still stood but was severely damaged.
Geddy Lee of
Rush told the
CBC, "it was truly a part of the great Canadian landscape... and literally a home away from home for us. It will always have a special place in our hearts." as well as in April Wine's music video for "
I Like to Rock". Also, an episode of the show
Popular Mechanics for Kids was taped there, with actress
Elisha Cuthbert demonstrating recording and mixing techniques. == Albums and songs recorded at Le Studio ==