Les Paul, DigiDesign win Grammys

From staff and wire reports

NEW YORK -- Guitarist and engineer Les Paul and the technology firm DigiDesign were the big winners Tuesday when the National Academy of Recording Arts & Science announced the recipients of its technical Grammy awards.

Paul, credited with inventing the eight-track tape recorder, the electronic-reverb effect and the overdubbing recording technique, will be honored for his contribution to modern recording during the Grammys awards show in February.

Paul is perhaps best known as the father of the solid-body electric guitar, and as the designer of the Gibson electric guitar that bears his name.

DigiDesign, a recording technology firm, will be honored for its Pro Tools digital audio workstation, which has become a common feature in recording studios. Pro Tools pioneered recording functions such as real-time editing, digital audio mixing and improved signal processing.

"The technical and creative innovations and contributions of Les Paul and the inventiveness of DigiDesign's Pro Tools system are the towering achievements of true visionaries," said Michael Greene, the academy's chief executive.

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