MCI Criteria Historic Recording Console

Looking to purchase our MCI console? Serious inquiries can contact us.

MCI Criteria Historic Recording Console

Retro Gear Shop is proud to offer this once-in-a-lifetime chance to own one of the most historic recording consoles ever made. This is the first ever MCI recording console custom built by Jeep Harned and launched the start of his career as the MCI brand.

The console was commissioned by Criteria Recording Studios in Miami. It went on to record some of the most classic rock music of all time, with dozens of iconic Gold and Platinum records.

Four of the top 10 best-selling albums in history were recorded through this very desk:

• Eagles - Hotel to California
• Eagles - Greatest-Hits
• Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever
• Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (partially recorded at Criteria, including Go Your Own Way)

You have heard and know the epic sound of this desk. Some other recordings include:

Gold Singles
Bee Gees - Tragedy
Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven
Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love
Bee Gees - Jive Talkin
Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing
Bee Gees - Love So Right
Bee Gees - Staying Alive
Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever
Eagles - One Of These Nights
Eagles - Lyin Eyes
Eagles - New Kid In Town
Eagles - Hotel California
Eric Clapton - I Shot The Sheriff
Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around And Fell In Love
Andy Gibb - I Just Want To Be Your Every Thing
Andy Gibb - Lover is ( Thicker Than Water )
Andy Gibb - An Everlasting Love
Andy Gibb - Shadow Dancing
Andy Gibb - Our Love (Don’t Throw It All Away)
Joe Walsh - Rocky Mountain way
Samantha Sang - Emotion
Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band
Rod Stewart - Do You Think I’m Sexy
Jimmy Buffet - Margaritaville

Gold Albums
Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever*
Bee Gees - Children Of The World
Bee Gees - Here At Last – Bee Gees Live
Bee Gees - Main Course
Bee Gees - Spirits Having Flown
Eagles - One Of These Nights
Eagles - Greatest Hits*
Eagles - Hotel California*
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard
Eric Clapton - History Of Eric Clapton
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours*
Crosby, Stills, Nash - CSN
Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band
Joe Walsh The Smoker - You Drink The Player You Get
Average White Band - AWB
Average White Band - Cut The Cake
Andy Gibb - Flowing Rivers
Andy Gibb - Shadow Dancing
Marshall Tucker Band - Together Forever
Soundtrack - Grease
Stills, Young Band - Long May You Run

*Estimated over 40 million records sold worldwide.

See the last two photos for a picture of the Bee Gees during a recording session and a photo of the console in Studio C.

The recordings made on this console reflect its amazingly warm analog tone. The console has loads of transformers, with 20 channels for tracking, 24 mix channels and 3-band equalizers that can be installed for either tracking or mixing. This is a heavy desk, likely weighing over 1000lbs. The design of the desk is wholly unique, including a one-of-a-kind light-up patch matrix for routing that uses touch sensitive pins. It's also notable for having quadrant faders similar to EMI consoles. The top panels can be pulled open to easily access the internals (see photos examples). Includes external power supplies housed in a separate rack as well as external pictured patchbay.

This console was recently pulled from long-time previous owner's professional recording studio. It is currently operational (powers up, passes signal) but could use electrical servicing restoration to bring it back to optimal functional condition (recommended if intended use is for full time recording situations). It is currently offered in as-is cosmetic and functional condition for historic purposes, but Retro Gear Shop can refurbish it for additional cost (we can go through it completely electronically and cosmetically as requested, such as build a new wood frame or new leather bolster, etc, as well as perform any custom wiring / patchbay package specific to buyer's studio). Contact us with any custom requests.

Approximate console dimensions:
Height front: 30"
Height to top of meter bridge rear: 44"
Width: 76"
Depth: 46"

This will be professionally crated and freight shipped.