Conceived by Rolling Stones tour manager Ian Stewart and built in 1968, the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio (RSM) was the first ever professional mobile recording studio.
The mobility of the truck and flexibility of its recording equipment allowed the RSM to capture some of the most iconic rock ‘n’ roll records of all time. The RSM is even referenced in the Deep Purple song “Smoke on the Water,” which tells the story of how the mobile studio was almost destroyed by a casino fire when the band recorded in Montreux, Switzerland.
Acquired by NMC in 2001, the RSM has since been restored and is now parked next to the King Eddy stage, a historic live music venue, where it can record directly from the stage or connect to any of Studio Bell’s unique live rooms.
“The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio is unquestionably the Sistine Chapel of rock ‘n’ roll.”
— John Leimseider, late Electronics Technician at the National Music Centre
How to see the RSM
Take a look at music history — the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio is visible through a large window along 9th Ave beside the King Eddy entrance.
Although the RSM is not regularly accessible to the public, there are a few exclusive ways you can explore this historic recording studio! Book a Backstage Pass guided tour, available every second Sunday at Studio Bell, or stay tuned to the King Eddy's website for upcoming RSM Listening Parties.
Did you know? You can book your own RSM Listening Party. Fill out the inquiry form at kingeddy.ca/rentals to plan your next event.
What’s Inside
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Custom Helios Recording Console
This classic British recording console helped capture the sounds of some of the most seminal albums from acts like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Bob Marley, Iron Maiden, Frank Zappa and Santana. Originally built in 1968 by Olympic Studios chief technician Dick Swettenham and later upgraded in 1973, the console was the second Helios ever made. Its specs include:
- 25 Helios mic/line inputs with 3-band EQ, filter and inserts
- 7 Helios mic/line inputs
- 48 tape returns
- 53 inputs to mix buss
- 24 mono multitrack busses with pan
- 2 mono cue send
- 4 mono effect sends with 3-band EQ
- 4 mono effects returns
- 2 24-track return cue mixes
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Facility Connectivity
- 24 mic lines to studio facility
- 24 mic lines from King Eddy stage split
- 16 tie lines
- 16-channel Aviom cue system
- Custom visual communication CCTV system
- 32 analog I/O to DAW, 2X 24 analog I/O to tape, 4 stereo analog 2-track I/O
- 5 speaker level tie lines
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Outboard Equipment
- Compressors: 2X F60o Helios (A+D) limiters (built into console), 4X F760 Helios (A+D) compressors (built into console)
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Monitoring
- Main/soffit monitors: Dyna Audio M1 Custom Speakers powered by Altec Solid State Amplifiers
- Alternative monitor choices: Yamaha Ns-10s, Yamaha HS8, Dynaudio BM MkII, and Alesis Monitor One
Albums Recorded Using the RSM
Many legendary albums were recorded using the RSM, including:
- Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street– The Rolling Stones
- Zeppelin III and Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin
- Machine Head, Burn, and Live in Europe – Deep Purple
- Penguins and Mystery to Me – Fleetwood Mac
- Live! – Bob Marley and The Wailers
- Alchemy: Dire Straits Live – Dire Straits
- Harvest – Neil Young
- Live in Italy – Lou Reed