Decca Studios, Paris

Alternative name of Studio Sofrason, as Sofrason was the exclusive representative of Decca in France. Recording and mastering/cutting studio in Paris (France). In 1970 the studios were completely renovated and modernized (getting equipment for quadrophonic) under the management of chief engineer Jean-Claude Certes. There were two studios, a small one (A) and larger one (B), and 5 cutting cabins with Neumann lathes. Also appears on releases as Studio Decca. The sound engineers Claude Naudin, Claude Achallé, Jean-Claude Egreteau, Michel Benoit and José Ponce were known among others for having worked there, as well as, the mastering and cutting engineers François Terrazzoni (1970-1980), Anne-Marie Terrazzoni (1974-1980), Jean-Pierre Michau (1972-1974), Kristina Domotor, Christian Orsini, Michel Blanvillain, Joël Savy, Catherine Patault and Yves Delaunay (until 1976). Lacquer cutting (mastering) engineers who worked here: These can be identified by a letter or two in the matrix number, e.g. 730704B T1, 5R61M 170 L7, XZAL 10072 P C1✶, 730 703 B JS2 etc.. Please note the numbers which follow the initials of respective engineers are NOT cuts numbers or pressings numbers, like 1st cut, 2nd cut, 1st pressing or 2nd pressing ! They indicate different mastering and EQ settings which were then selected or not by the chief engineer of the studio for the pressing. In example, when a version of a release is reading C1 for the side A, whereas a similar version is reading C3 on the same side, both are different versions which should be submitted separately. A (Gérard Gustave) = A Michel Blanvillain = B Christian Orsini = C Anne-Marie Désiré = D Joël Savy = JS Kristina Domotor = K L (Still unknown) = L Catherine Patault = P R (Still unknown) = R François Terrazzoni = T Y (Jean-Pierre Michau) = Y Yves Delaunay = YD For information, the initials D (before 1974), ED, F, G, J (not Joël Savy), LN, M, MC, N, O, R and S, are still unknown at the moment.