At Studio Bell, you can sort of touch the good stuff. Most museums put a rope in front of the best pieces, but Studio Bell keeps some of its finest instruments ready to play.
That’s the idea behind the living collection at the National Music Centre. Studio Bell says it holds more than 200 instruments spanning 450 years, and artists can use them to make new music. Think about that for a second. Four and a half centuries of sound, still switched on.
The headliners
Start with TONTO, described as the first and largest multitimbral polyphonic analog synthesizer. It was built to be heard, not admired from behind glass.
Then comes the studio side. Control Room B has a console from London’s Olympic Studios. Control Room A has a Trident A-Range. And the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, a recording truck with a custom Helios console, lives in the building too.
Add Minimoogs, Mellotrons, a Hammond Novachord and a 400-year-old harpsichord, all named by Studio Bell among the pieces in its three live rooms. Wild.
Why this is the right idea
This is exactly how a collection should be run. An instrument that never makes a sound is just furniture with a good story.
The wider collection is far bigger, by the way. Studio Bell says it now holds more than 8,000 rare instruments and artifacts, plus the Canadian Music Halls of Fame.
Beyond the keyboards
The rest of the collection has a sense of humour. Calgary Arts Development mentions Stompin’ Tom Connors’ stomping board, outfits worn by deadmau5 and Avril Lavigne, and Corey Hart’s sunglasses.
Yes, you read that correctly. A stomping board and a pair of sunglasses sit in the same story as a room-sized synthesizer. We adore that.
So you get the history and the noise in one building. That’s a rare combination, and it happens to be right here in Calgary.
Studio Bell lists tours with backstage access, so book one, ask about the studios and listen closely. A 400-year-old harpsichord has had plenty of time to learn how to impress you.
Next up for you is Calgary Punk Has a Map and a Cassette Archive. After that, Calgary Told Through the Things It Kept. Or try Calgary Once Hosted an Organ Competition With Its Own Mall Concerts for a change of pace.
More from the archive: Calgary Jazz Started as a One-Day Party on Prince’s Island.
Quick answers
Studio Bell says it holds more than 200 instruments spanning 450 years, and artists can use them to make new music. Highlights include TONTO, described as the first and largest multitimbral polyphonic analog synthesizer, plus Minimoogs, Mellotrons and a Hammond Novachord.
Control Room B has a console from London’s Olympic Studios, and Control Room A has a Trident A Range. The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, a recording truck with a custom Helios console, also lives in the building at the National Music Centre.
Yes. Studio Bell lists tours with backstage access, so you can book one and ask about the studios. Studio Bell says it now holds more than 8,000 rare instruments and artifacts, plus the Canadian Music Halls of Fame, all in one Calgary building.
