MSR Studios, Home Of Numerous Original Broadway Cast Recordings, Shutting Down Due To Construction Noise

Its perfect midtown location on 48th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues has always been a major asset to the success of MSR Studios. Founded in 1976 as Right Track Recording, it wasn't long before the musicals playing in neighboring Broadway theatres started booking sessions to record their original cast albums. Being in the middle of the Times Square area also proved attractive to record producers and rock stars.

But, as reported by Sonic Scoop, MSR will be closing its doors for good at the end of June. It seems the ever-changing cityscape of midtown Manhattan, and the noise that comes with it, proved too intrusive for a business sensitive to sound.

Throughout the past several years major construction projects in neighboring and adjoining buildings have been interfering with recording sessions, but the news that half of 48th Street adjacent to the studio was about to be torn down with a new skyscraper set to be erected directly across the street, was the sign that it was time to close shop.

"It's hard to record an orchestra when you have a jackhammer going in the background," says owner Dave Amlen. "We had just gotten through that scenario, and to go through the whole thing all over again for three years was untenable. I've commiserated with other studio owners and they say, 'You're in a war zone, and it's only going to get worse. I don't know how people will come and work with you when there are scaffolds all around you.' We've had clients leave because of conditions on the street, regardless of what's going on inside the facility."

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To give an idea of just how popular the company has been in the Broadway community, here are some of the current and recent musical productions that have used MSR Studios for their original cast recordings.

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER

ALADDIN

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

IF/THEN

KINKY BOOTS

MATILDA

MOTOWN

NEWSIES

ONCE

PORGY AND BESS

SOMETHING ROTTEN!