Rolling Stones Mobile Studio (RSM) & Helios recording console

The Helios console inside the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio (RSM) was manufactured by Helios Electronics Ltd.in 1968. The company had been founded that same year by Dick Swettenham, former in-house technical director at Olympic Sound Studios who designed their popular custom recording desks. Helios specialized in making custom consoles for clients, including made-to-measure wrap-around layouts and steeply angled console sections that made controls more ergonomic for the engineers using them. The RSM was used as a mobile control room giving artists the flexibility to record wherever and whenever they wanted and cutting down on studio costs. The RSM’s Helios console recorded countless classic rock albums and live shows including those by Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Queen, Fleetwood Mac and of course, the Rolling Stones themselves. Former Stones bassist Bill Wyman bought the truck in the mid 80s and used it for the Ambition Invention Motivation Success (AIMS) project, providing free recording facilities to emerging artists throughout England. Acquired by National Music Centre in 2001, the RSM and its Helios console have been restored and are now parked next to the King Eddy stage, a historic live music venue, where they can record and live stream new music directly from the stage or connect to any of Studio Bell’s unique live rooms.