Phil English takes time out from the studio and fires up the stove to cook up another delicious serving of the Full English.

In this 4th podcast / month Phil tries out a number of tasty SSL goodies from the studio deli counter including the Alpha Mic Pre and savoured the taste but being a top class chef, he still manages to find things to comment about…

Settle in by your radiogram and listen to this serving of the Full English!  Please feel free to add your comments in the little box below.

CLICKY HERE TO LISTEN

At last. A year after filming our interview with ann Mincieli the edits have been completed! We visited Germano Studios in New York in April to record a number of producer features and we were very lucky to bump in to Ann who very kindly said she’d record a short video too.

Ann is best known for her work with Alicia Keyes and here she talks about her engineering and production work.

Special thanks to everyone at Germano Studios and to Ann!

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Vocalstrip is an application specific plug-in that draws upon decades of SSL professional engineering expertise to combine the right four processing elements to create the simple route to professional vocal recordings. Combining EQ and dynamics sections with essential vocal processors, Vocalstrip aims to bring power, character and clarity to vocal tracks from a single interface. Vocalstrip solves the challenges of producing great vocal recordings with four processing tools carefully selected and calibrated to deliver great results every time.

Key Features

• 4 selected vocal processing tools with a unique SSL twist
• Comparative analysis & dynamic envelope based De-esser
• Comparative analysis & dynamic envelope based De-ploser
• 3-band SSL EQ with High-Pass, ‘asymmetric notch’ and ‘air’ bands
• Compander featuring compression, downwards expansion and output drive
• Informative visual feedback showing EQ curves and real time FFT overlay

Vocalstrip is an optional plug-in for Duende. Please be aware that Vocalstrip requires Duende in order to run. The plug-in will only install and run on Duende Hardware.

Find out more, clicky here.

Eleven Module Varieties Now Available for Hugely Popular X-Rack

Solid State Logic has announced a brand new module for the X-Rack modular rack system: the Stereo EQ Module.

The latest X-Rack Stereo EQ Module is a stereo version of SSL’s console Channel EQ. It is a classic SSL four-band parametric EQ that is a superb all round frequency adjustment tool kit. If you need pinpoint accuracy for surgical problem solving, smoother broader sound shaping, or a little more aggressive character, the SSL Stereo EQ will give you what you need. This is a fully featured EQ with high- and low-bands switchable between shelving or fixed Q bell curves and two mid-bands each with variable Q control. This stereo version introduces a new  ‘Selective Mode’ switch which enables independent switching of high & low bands and mid bands between SSL’s E & G series console EQ characteristics to provide an even more versatile EQ design.

Key features of the X-Rack Stereo EQ Module include:

·      Stereo version of the Equaliser as used on Duality & AWS consoles

·      ‘Selective Mode’ E and G characteristic switching of high & low bands and mid bands between E or G curves.

·      High and low-bands switchable between shelving and fixed Q Bell curves

·      EQ IN switch for A/B comparison

·      Rear panel connections on balanced TRS Jack

·      TotalRecall™ status LEDs

This module that is the 11th for X-Rack continues to build the range.  Based on SuperAnalogue™ electronics from SSL’s XL 9000 K Series console, X-Rack is a modular rack system with Total Recall™ that delivers the classic SSL sound in a uniquely versatile form. Each X-Rack chassis holds up to eight modules in any configuration; with the introduction of the Stereo EQ Module, eleven different modules are offered.

A selection of EQ, Dynamics and VHD modules can be combined to form comprehensive standalone processing solutions. Two different Mic Amp modules can be added to create high quality recording solutions. Standalone mixers can be configured by adding Master Bus, Four Input and Eight Input modules. The hugely popular X-Rack delivers the very highest-quality analogue recording and summing path and is the perfect configurable solution for studio or live applications.

The Stereo EQ Module will cost £699 + VAT.

For more info, visit SSL’s website.

Pictured is the SSL console in the control room.  Photo taken at daybreak to get the right light!

At long last we are delighted to bring a video feature shot at Dean Street Studios.

Dean Street Studios have a long history having been the site of Tony Visconti’s Good Earth Studios where a ton of huge records were made. The studio still retains much of what was so good about the old studio and has built on the excellent sonics and design featuring a brand new SSL Duality console plus more gear than you can shake a stick at: guitars, amps, keyboards and much more!

Studio manager Jazz took time out to record a short video feature – A big thanks to everyone at Dean Street Studios!!!

We plan to bring a video tour around the studio and interviews with studio owners Jazz (pictured with studio dog) and Ben in the next month.  We love Dean Street Studios, great vibe and more guitar cabs than you can shake a stick at plus a brand new Mellotron!  The studio is awash with funky instruments, some previously owned by George Harrison etc.  Meanwhile, check out our photo gallery of the studio.

This week’s star photo:  Chris Jenkins.

Chris is one of the most influential console designers and in his time at SSL has been the brains behind the Duality, AWS 900, C200, C100 etc etc.  He has worked at the BBC and was one of the early key people at the famed Townhouse Studios where he was the man that helped make that Phil Collins drum sound the Phil Collins Drum Sound.

Find out more about Simon here

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