the neve a646

“Even though the studio has been open for business for over 30 years, the story of how it came to be is almost as unlikely as a dream. Olivier Bloch-Lainé is a French musician and composer who has made over 700 soundtracks for films, commercials and television programmes — and became a studio owner in the most bizarre fashion.

”In 1980, walking in the street, I met a good musician friend of mine. He said ‘Olivier, I am going to an auction sale at Barclay Studio nearby right now, come with me!”

“Eddie Barclay’s place was a great-sounding, big studio complex where we did many sessions, it was like our Abbey Road in Paris. The studio was closing and selling all its gear. I did not have any plans or money to buy anything, and I never went to that kind of auction sale before, so I came in with my friend just for the fun. Once in the place, still for the fun, as a joke, I raised my hand at the very first bid on the main studio’s Neve desk, but: big surprise — nobody followed, and suddenly a voice said: ‘Going, going, gone!’ Five minutes before, I was walking in the street with no idea of anything, and suddenly I became the owner of the biggest desk custom-made by Neve in 1973. I was shocked and totally confused, because I did not know what to do with it, and although it was not expensive, I could not pay for it. I had to stay in the place all night until I had finally borrowed enough money so they let me go.

“This joke changed my life, because, from then, I was forced to find a place to install the desk and create a studio. A few days later, near the Seine river bank outside of Paris, I saw an old mansion for sale and I thought: this is exactly what I need! I sold my apartment in Paris and bought the manor in La Frette.”

Original Brochure

This brochure is the Neve’s original brochure from Studio Barclay in 1973.