ESHEL STUDIOS
Eshel Studios’ history goes back to the early 50s. Meir Eshel, then a skillful and experienced radio engineer, feels an urge to launch a new enterprise of sound recordings. The ground, he feels, is ready and waiting: many Israeli musicians seek a home to create their music. No one has offered them a place. Until Meir Eshel came. Meir hired a humble gear, and started recording musicians of all ages and styles. He made Israeli greatest artists’ first records, and they were grateful to him for the rest of their career.
Soon enough the reputation of Meir Eshel was widespread. Meir had no choice but to initialize a full-equipped studio, that could offer a wide-range of services to musicians. When the Israeli TV was launched, in the late 60s, the demand for studio services accelerated. Moreover, the Israeli cinema, still in its youth, was creating new opportunities for composers, who sought a facility to create their music in.
Meir Eshel and Mr. Danny Bain at the Radio Studio
Meir and his partner Mr. Weisman in one of the very first sessions - 1969
On this background, the Eshel family decided to open the studios.
The managers and owners were Meir Eshel and Shimon Weisman, who both left IBA radio for the new enterprise: Israkol (which was named as a twist on the IBA radio name, Kol Israel). In the next few years, the Eshel studios recorded Israel’s best musicians.
Well, there was almost nobody else around...
And when others did arrive, and purchased the newest equipment, Eshel studios were never behind: from Monual equipment to 2 Ch. Stereo, and then to 4 tracks.
Meir and Arik Lavie
Live Session - 1970
that stage, local musicians had the chance to listen to the wonderful possibilities of 8-track recording done abroad. One of them wrote anxiously: “Israkol, Israkol, four tracks – that is all.” Well, Eshel Studios had no choice, but to move on to 8 tracks, and later to 16 In the early 80s, a real revolution occurred: Eshel Studios has imported a brand new 24-track tape machine and console.
The cutting room was also renovated, and has become Israel’s most elaborated and sought after cutting facility.
Ten years afterwards, the studios in Frug St. could not satisfy the growing amount of customers and the new technology needs. The Eshels moved to Rival St., their current dwelling, a much more spacious and luxurious complex. And the rest is history…
Don Mclean eating american pita - 1981