The 1950s Live-Room Sound in Central Bohemia: Inside Ateliér 57’s New Recording Space

Yka: Ateliér 57 already has that legendary, intimate “Manhattan club meets backyard family festival” vibe. Compared to the massive commercial recording studios across the Czech Republic, how would you describe the unique sonic character and recording quality artists get here?

Jesse: Because of the acoustics of the space, the blend of instruments that you get in one large room, and the aesthetic that I personally like (old Blue Note and Columbia recordings), you are getting something unique. I hope that truly comes across when listening to the recordings that I’ve done here.

Yka: You have an incredible ear for tone—especially with your hand-hammered cymbals. What kind of unique acoustics or vintage/modern gear does the workshop space offer that musicians won’t find anywhere else?

Jesse: As opposed to some modern recording studios, I’m not using individual booths. Instead, I’m offering live room recording like many of the old studios of the 1950s and 60s. This means that a lot more bleed happens in the mix, but as a result, you get a warmer, more realistic sound. I also employ some unusual micing techniques to try to get that specific blend and vintage aesthetic.

Yka: When a band cuts a track or a live session here, do you prefer to handle the project from the first mic setup all the way through to the final mix, or do you also welcome engineers who just want to use the room?

Jesse: I would absolutely welcome someone who wants to use the equipment I provide—the setup is quite simple for them to figure out. They are also welcome to bring their own equipment to use in combination with mine or on their own. I would even offer a discount for engineers who bring their own setup.

Yka: A lot of fans love having something tangible. Is there a pipeline or opportunity here for artists to turn their sessions into a physical product, like a limited-run CD or a custom vinyl LP?

Jesse: If they wish to take whatever project they record at the Ateliér further with a physical product, they are welcome to do so. I do have thoughts of launching a label in the future, but for now, I am only offering recording. However, I can happily advise musicians on where they should go with their projects for those next physical steps.

Yka: We want to keep the focus on the art, but local musicians are always thinking about the budget. Without giving away exact numbers, would you say booking a project at Ateliér 57 is an accessible, independent-friendly investment, or a premium boutique experience?

Jesse: This is a big part of what I think I can uniquely offer at the moment. For a day of recording (six hours) at the space, I would currently ask less than half of what many of the studios in Czechia would charge for the day.

Yka: You mentioned being a short drive or train ride from Prague. Since you also have the gorgeous guest house on the property, are you envisioning this as a destination studio where bands can stay for a weekend and fully immerse themselves in the recording process?

Jesse: Absolutely, that can easily be arranged for the musicians to stay over and record for multiple days. However, what I’m offering is a live room to record all together without overdubs. Multiple days would generally mean some time for rehearsal and then recording.