The pervasive image of a recording studio many of us have in our minds is of a well enclosed and insulated space with moody lighting, darker earth-tone accents, wall-to-wall carpeting, and wood paneling. It’s this collection of commonly held impressions that inspired the design of the new M1 Larrabee Creator Edition, high-end and craft-forward music device producer Wrensilva’s first limited-run record console. With record playing popularity enduring, it only makes sense that this tech-enabled furnishing should embody the equally timeless aesthetic of mid-century modern design.
The new M1 Larrabee Creator Editon was developed in close partnership with multi Grammy-award-winning engineer Manny Marroquin – the force behind many of Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Rosalia, Usher, The Weekend, and Bruno Mars’s most successful releases. The design fully reflects the look and feel of the North Hollywood Larrabee Studios he’s long used. Established in 1969, the venue is now under his ownership and management but still retains much of its original appearance.
“We’re honored to celebrate 55 years of [the complex] by collaborating with Wrensilva on a HiFi console that brings the studio home – where every texture, every tone, feels intentional,” Marroquin says. “It’s a celebration of how music shapes space. It’s an emotional artifact – something you’ll proudly pass down to future generations.”
Meticulously crafted in San Diego, California, the 55 limited edition pieces are identified by its layer pattern walnut doors, silver and gold speaker grilles, anodized black metal legs, and leather accents: in mocha, sky blue, and white. Each is numbered and includes distinctive iconography: Marroquin’s solid brass encased monogram and Larrabee Studios’ embossed logo. Backlit LEDs illuminate various components of the piece, introducing additional visceral and nostalgic dimension.
Owing to Marroquin’s proven expertise, various R&D listening sessions led to acoustic optimization. The device emits an authentic, warm yet expansive sound. To achieve near exact replication of original recordings, the split-plinth turntable and solid-state electronics were positioned with precision. Class D amplifiers and custom 2-way speakers incorporate a 9.5-inch Egyptian Papyrus cone woofer paired with a 1-inch AirCirc textile dome tweeter. The goal: to create a studio-quality performance each time the M1 is put to use.
“Collaborating with Manny over the years has allowed us to deliver a signature sound that is warm, dimensional, and faithful,” says Scott Salyer, Wrensilva co-founder and audio leader. “Building a creator edition M1 with Manny that lives up to both his and Larrabee Studios’ sonic legacy is a privilege.”
Each device that ships will be joined by three records carefully compiled by Marroquin to reflect Larrabee Studios’ illustrious history. Some highlights include Madonna’s Ray of Light, Michael Jackson’s Dangerous, Dr. Dre’s 2001, Alicia Keys’ As I Am, and Leon Bridges’ Good Thing.
The demonstration of distilling the atmosphere and historical attributions of an iconic space within this furnishing and technological device is unmatched. It’s an interesting proposition that other designers and companies could consider exploring.
For more information or to purchase the Wrensilva M1 Larrabee Creator Edition record console for $19,900, visit wrensilva.com.
Photography by Mike Peters.