Studer
Studer is a Swiss professional-audio brand known for studio tape recorders, multitrack machines, and digital mixing consoles for broadcast and live-production environments.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Studer is a Swiss professional-audio brand founded in Zurich in 1948 by engineer Willi Studer. Its early work included high-voltage oscilloscopes, but the company became internationally recognized after entering audio equipment and developing professional tape recorders. In 1949, Studer began adapting imported Ampex machines, and by 1950 it had created its own Dynavox recorder line. During the following decades, the company built a reputation for precise, robust analog recording machines used by recording studios, broadcasters, and other technically demanding customers. The brand’s tape-recording portfolio expanded from two-track stereo machines into multitrack systems. The J37, introduced in 1964, recorded four tracks on one-inch tape and became an important studio machine; a pair of J37 recorders was used at EMI Studios in London during the recording of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Later A80, A800, A820, and A827 machines supported wider tape and configurations of up to 24 tracks. Studer recorders were installed in major studios around the world and were frequently paired with high-end mixing consoles. Although digital recording and computer-based digital audio workstations displaced most new analog recorder sales, the sonic character and engineering heritage of Studer machines continued to influence engineers, producers, restoration projects, and software emulations. Studer also developed a consumer-oriented relationship with the Revox brand. The company introduced Revox in 1951 for consumer products, and some Studer designs were adapted and sold under the Revox name at lower prices. Revox versions generally omitted professional features such as balanced connections while retaining closely related core circuitry. The Revox A77, introduced in 1967, became one of the best-known products associated with this technology family. The corporate structure changed substantially in the 1990s. Studer sold the Studer-Revox group to Motor-Columbus in 1990, after which Studer, Revox, and manufacturing activities were separated. In 1994, Harman International Industries acquired Studer-Revox AG; Revox was excluded from the transaction and transferred to private investors. Under Harman, Studer operations were reorganized and some manufacturing, support, and engineering activities were moved among Switzerland, England, Hungary, China, and the United States. The original Swiss operating entity was ultimately closed in March 2018, while the Potters Bar, England facility had been closed in 2016. From the mid-1990s onward, Studer increasingly focused on digital mixing. The OnAir 2000 introduced the Touch’n Action interface in 1997, followed by the D950 large-format digital console in 1998. In 2003, the Vista series introduced Studer’s Vistonics “knobs-on-glass” interface, combining touch-screen graphics with physical rotary controls. Vista consoles and OnAir and Glacier control surfaces broadened the brand’s role in television, radio, live production, and other broadcast applications. Harman sold the Studer brand and intellectual property to Canadian broadcast-equipment manufacturer Evertz Microsystems on February 9, 2021. Evertz continues to develop and manufacture selected Studer products, including Vista 1, Vista V, and Vista X systems. The brand therefore remains active, although its business is now focused on specialized professional audio and broadcast infrastructure rather than the broad analog-recorder manufacturing base that defined its earlier history.
History
Willi Studer established the company in Zurich in 1948. Its initial products were high-voltage oscilloscopes, which remained in production until 1968. Studer entered audio in 1949 by modifying imported Ampex tape recorders and developed the Dynavox series by 1950. The company subsequently built professional two-track stereo machines and multitrack recorders, establishing a reputation for engineering precision and dependable operation. Studer introduced the Revox brand in 1951 for consumer products. Revox machines often shared core technology with Studer professional products but used a lower-cost configuration, including consumer-oriented features and fewer professional connectivity options. The relationship helped distribute related recording technology beyond commercial studios while preserving Studer’s professional positioning. The J37, released in 1964, was Studer’s first multitrack machine and recorded four tracks on one-inch tape. Its use at EMI Studios during the production of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” helped cement the machine’s historical importance. Studer later produced the A80, A800, A820, and A827 families in configurations ranging from eight to 24 tracks. These machines became standard equipment in many leading studios. Studer also developed D820 and D827 digital multitrack recorders using the Digital Audio Stationary Head standard, but hard-disk recording and digital audio workstation software eventually displaced most tape-based digital formats. Corporate ownership changed during the 1990s. In 1990, Studer sold the Studer-Revox group to Motor-Columbus. Motor-Columbus separated Studer, Revox, and manufacturing operations in 1991 and subsequently sold various subsidiaries and plants. Harman International Industries completed its acquisition of Studer-Revox AG on March 17, 1994. Revox was excluded from the transaction and sold to private investors. Willi Studer died on March 1, 1996. During Harman ownership, Studer operations were reorganized internationally. Manufacturing and support activities were associated with Harman’s Soundcraft operations in England and were later moved to Hungary. Harman also relocated professional-division support and manufacturing activities in an effort to reduce costs. The original Swiss operating base in Regensdorf was eventually closed in March 2018, with remaining activities distributed across several countries. Studer entered digital console development in the 1990s. The OnAir 2000 appeared in 1997 with the Touch’n Action interface, and the D950 followed in 1998 as a large-format digital desk. In 2003, the Vista series introduced Vistonics, a graphical interface built around touch-screen displays and rotary controls integrated into the screen surface. The Vista family expanded across studio, broadcast, and live-production applications. The Vista 9M2, introduced in 2013, targeted television and live production and was adopted by broadcasters in multiple countries. Studer’s radio portfolio included the OnAir range and later Glacier control surfaces. Harman sold the Studer brand and intellectual property to Evertz Microsystems in February 2021. Under Evertz ownership, Vista 1, Vista V, and Vista X remained active products, manufactured through Evertz facilities in Canada. Studer’s present identity is consequently that of a specialist professional-audio and broadcast brand whose legacy spans analog tape recording, digital console design, radio production, television production, and live sound infrastructure.
- 2021
Evertz Microsystems acquires Studer
[1]Evertz Microsystems acquired the Studer brand and intellectual property from Harman.
- 2013
Vista 9M2 launched
[1]Studer introduced the Vista 9M2 for television broadcast and live production.
- 2003
Vista series launched
[1]Studer launched the Vista family with its Vistonics knobs-on-glass interface.
- 1998
D950 digital console introduced
[1]The D950 became Studer’s first large-format digital mixing console.
- 1997
OnAir 2000 introduced
[1]Studer entered digital broadcast-console development with the OnAir 2000 and its Touch’n Action interface.
- 1994
Harman acquisition completed
[1]Harman International Industries completed its acquisition of Studer-Revox AG; Revox was subsequently separated from the acquired business.
- 1990
Studer-Revox group sold to Motor-Columbus
[1]The Studer-Revox group was sold to Motor-Columbus AG.
- 1964
J37 multitrack recorder released
[1]Studer introduced the four-track, one-inch J37, its first multitrack recorder.
- 1951
Revox brand introduced
[1]Studer introduced Revox for consumer-oriented recording products.
- 1950
Dynavox recorder line developed
[1]The company developed its own Dynavox tape recorders.
Products and positioning
Professional-grade audio engineering focused on recording accuracy, operational reliability, workflow integration, and broadcast-scale production.
Multitrack analog tape recorder · 1964
J37
Introduced in 1964, the J37 was Studer’s first multitrack tape machine. It recorded four tracks on one-inch tape and became historically associated with major 1960s studio productions, including sessions for The Beatles at EMI Studios in London.
Multitrack analog tape recorder
A800
The A800 was a professional multitrack analog recorder offered in configurations including eight-, 16-, and 24-track versions. Its recording electronics, transport design, and characteristic tape sound made it a durable reference point for studios and later software-based analog modeling.
Digital mixing consoles · 2003
Vista series
The Vista family is Studer’s digital-console platform for studio, television, live-production, and broadcast use. Its defining Vistonics interface places rotary controls within a graphical display, while the range includes models such as Vista 1, Vista V, Vista X, and earlier Vista 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 systems.
Television and live-production console · 2013
Vista 9M2
The Vista 9M2 is a broadcast and live-production console introduced in 2013. It combines the Vistonics control concept with FaderGlow workflow features and was designed for demanding television production and outside-broadcast environments.
Radio broadcast consoles and control surfaces
OnAir and Glacier
Studer’s radio portfolio includes the OnAir console family and Glacier control surfaces. Glacier was positioned as a newer control-surface platform alongside remaining OnAir products, replacing discontinued OnAir 2500 and OnAir 3000 controllers.
Brand decisions
2021
Evertz acquisition of Studer brandM&ABackground
Harman decided to divest the Studer brand and its intellectual property.
Action taken
Evertz Microsystems acquired the brand and intellectual property on February 9, 2021.
Aftermath
Evertz continued selected Vista products and retained Studer as a specialist professional-audio and broadcast brand.
2006
Relocation of support and manufacturing activitiesStrategyBackground
Harman pursued cost reductions across its professional-audio portfolio.
Action taken
Harman moved Studer support and manufacturing activities to Pécs, Hungary after closing the original brand headquarters.
Aftermath
Studer’s operating footprint became more internationally distributed, with later activity also associated with England, China, Switzerland, and the United States.
1994
Harman acquires Studer-Revox AGM&ABackground
Motor-Columbus reorganized and divested parts of the former Studer-Revox group.
Action taken
Harman International Industries completed the acquisition of Studer-Revox AG, while the Revox group was excluded and transferred to private investors.
Aftermath
Studer became part of Harman’s professional-audio portfolio and its operations were progressively integrated with international facilities and Soundcraft activities.
1990
Sale of Studer-Revox group to Motor-ColumbusM&ABackground
The Studer-Revox group underwent a major ownership change after years of operating as a combined business.
Action taken
Studer sold the group, including subsidiary companies, to Motor-Columbus AG.
Aftermath
Motor-Columbus separated Studer, Revox, and manufacturing activities in 1991, setting up later divestments and the eventual Harman acquisition.
Recent events
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