Legendary audio engineer Donn Landee, RIP

[Michedelic]

He helped create the Van Halen studio sound…

Donn Landee, the engineer who masterminded 5150 Studios, and helped shape Van Halen’s sound, dies at 79 — Guitar World

The recording engineer was a key figure in Van Halen’s first eight albums and made Eddie Van Halen's ahead-of-his-time vision for 5150 Studios a reality

apple.news

Donn Landee: Engineering Van Halen's Classic Sound

Legendary engineer Donn Landee reveals his groundbreaking techniques behind Van Halen's iconic albums, from drum sounds to guitar recording. Essential insights for rock production.

tapeop.com

 

[winston]

Oh jeez, growing up in the ‘80s, those VH records produced by Ted Templeman and engineered by Donn Landee are etched into my soul. Some of my favorite songs and sounds of that era, and my God the way they captured Eddie Van Halen’s performances was remarkable! R.I.P Donn!!

 

[Michedelic]

Oh jeez, growing up in the ‘80s, those VH records produced by Ted Templeman and engineered by Donn Landee are etched into my soul. Some of my favorite songs and sounds of that era, and my God the way they captured Eddie Van Halen’s performances was remarkable! R.I.P Donn!!

While the sound on those VH albums is singular and classic, I always thought that the first Montrose album was a ‘dress rehearsal’…getting a huge sound out of just power trio plus vocals with minimal overdubs. I mean, “Eruption” sure as hell didn’t sound like the Doobie Brothers, ya know. But the most fascinating thing about him is all the other stuff he had a hand in. If you take the time to read the Tape Op interview, it’s like a fly-on-the-wall account of LA recording studio history. I had no idea he was responsible for the flanging on the Animals’ “Sky Pilot”, for instance. The drunk Van(and also Jim)Morrison stuff was hilarious.

 

[brianrost]

Ted and Donn also were responsible for the best sounding Captain Beefheart LP ever and the most accessible one for most folks.



Ted and Donn also were behind the board for Little Feat’s “Sailing Shoes"



They also worked on Doobie Brothers albums together from Toulouse Street to Minute by Minute.

 

[MonetBass]

I just read about this on Mix.com. Very sad. He was one of the best.