Ever wonder where some of the most iconic music of the late 20th century was recorded? Right here at Hansa Tonstudio. This unassuming building at Kōthener Strasse 38 in Berlin, is a place of pilgrimage for music fans. It is a place where legends were made and where the echoes of creativity still resonate.
Hansa Tonstudio started modestly in the early 1960s. Brothers Peter and Thomas Meisel founded Hansa Music Production. They began with a small recording studio in their Berlin headquarters. By 1965, they were using the Meistersaal for most productions. This space was formerly the Sonopress Studio of Ariola-Eurodisk. It later became the legendary Hansa Studio 2 known as The Big Hall By The Wall.
The Meisel brothers established Hansa Tonstudio GmbH in the early 1970s. They wanted independence. Hansa Studio 1 opened in 1973 on Nestor Street in Berlin Halensee. Many renowned artists recorded there. In 1975, the Meisels took over the former Sonopress Studio on Kōthener Street. They transformed it into Hansa Studio 2 producing hit after hit. At that point, two studios operated under the Hansa Studios name.
In 1976, the Meisel Brothers purchased the building on Kōthener Street. It had been severely damaged in World War II. They gradually developed it into a music production house. The Hansa Mixroom was built on the 4th floor. Beside it, they built Studio 1 which opened in 1980. This replaced Studio 1 on Nestor Street. A training studio was built on the 3rd floor for sound engineers. In the early 1980s, Hansa Studio 3 was created in a former cinema on the ground floor. This brought the total to five studios.
The vision was a music production house. Work could happen in several studios simultaneously around the clock. Hansa Music Production became a leading company in Germany. They handled artist development plus songwriting and production. Hits by Mireille Mathieu, Drafi Deutscher and many more were produced. Also successful albums from Peter Maffay, Udo Jürgens and Roland Kaiser.
David Bowie lived and worked in Berlin in the 1970s. He gave Hansa Studios worldwide recognition. In the studio beside the wall, Bowie wrote his hit “Heroes”. He recorded numerous albums here. Iggy Pop also recorded here. “Low” and “Heroes” both from 1977 and “Baal” from 1982 were recorded here. Hansa Studios gained a reputation for good equipment exceptional acoustics and international success. It was considered a leading international recording studio.
Depeche Mode recorded “Construction Time Again” here in 1983. U2 recorded “Achtung Baby” in 1991. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds and Marillion also recorded here. In the 1990s, the Meisels focused on Hansa Studio 1. They discontinued use of Studios 2 and 3 due to declining demand. Hansa Studio 2 was restored to the Meistersaal. The former Hansa mixing room was rented permanently. Offices for film companies were built into Studio 3.
Today, Studio 1 is still active. Acts like Supergrass, Snow Patrol and R.E.M. record here. The Meistersaal is still available as a recording studio. Kent recorded their whole album there. R.E.M. recorded a live session. Mark Knopfler gave a record release concert there. The Hansa building on Kōthener Street is a creative music hub. Numerous independent studios and production companies work there.
Hansa Tonstudio stands as a testament to Berlin’s vibrant artistic history. It is a place where music history was written. As you stand here, imagine the sounds, the artists, and the stories that echo within these walls. It’s a truly special place in the world of music.