Case Study:
Juno Award Winning Composer and Producer Ian Nieman is no stranger to API gear, or Vintage King Audio for that matter. Having owned the API 8200, 7800, 205’s, 550a’s and 560’s, the API 1608 instantly grabbed Nieman’s attention during his search for a new console. When the time came to outfit the new room at his production company Nieman Music, Ian contacted Vintage King’s Mike Nehra to inquire about the 1608.

As a client of Vintage King’s for nine years, Ian knew he could trust Vintage King Audio while outfitting the new space, designed by Martin Pilchner.

“I still remember the first call I made to Vintage King,” Nieman says. “I was in the market for a microphone and compressor and heard from various sources that Vintage King was the place to go for quality vintage gear.” He continues, “the person that answered the phone was named Mike. He answered my million questions and together we agreed on a Neumann U-67 and old Neve 33609. It wasn’t until months later that I learned Mike actually owned the company. That has always stuck with me. It illustrates Mike’s approachable personality, love for gear and desire to help the client. He always has time to answer questions and his recommendations to what best fit my needs are still scoring big today.”

To that effect, while working with Mike on the 1608 purchase, Nieman also decided to pick up the Shadow Hills Mastering compressor based on Mike’s recommendation. Ian first used the Mastering Compressor across the 2 buss and hasn’t moved it since, thanks to the layer of polish it gives to the overall final mix.

After working with Vintage King’s Jeff Leibovich on the details of the API purchase, including furniture from Sterling Modular, Ian’s first mix on the new setup was for the single “Move With It” by Linnea, which recently hit #10 on the Billboard Club chart. Additionally, Nieman has remixed material for artists like Mariah Carey, LeAnn Rimes, Deborah Cox, Nelly Furtado, Ludacris and Snoop Dogg.

For more information on Nieman Music,visit www.niemanmusic.com

Case Study:
Back in 2003, Mike Bridavsky started Russian Recording as a fairly small-scale operation housed in an A-frame style cabin in the woods of Brown County, Indiana. Five down the line, however, he decided that although the acoustics of the unique building were “very cool and gave a great overall sound”, he needed a bigger space that was closer to downtown Bloomington. He knew that along with this expansion would come a lot of new equipment, and luckily Mike knew exactly who to turn to.

“I needed a company that would reply to my emails, get me the best deal for my money, and provide excellent service even after the equipment was installed,” he says. “I was totally happy with my experience ordering from Vintage King and working with Jeff [Leibovich] from the get go. The equipment selection is great, the website is very functional and easy to use, and the customer service is flawless.”

Mike’s old set up was based around a Speck M72 – a console that had no mic preamps and a very basic EQ. To supplement this he ended up purchasing a rare 1972 Speck Alpha Series II 24x16x2 mixing console which was, as he says, a big step up for the studio. In order to optimize this new piece of gear, Mike then decided to sell most of his old outboard gear and invest in some more high-end compression to complement the new board.

“I couldn’t be happier with my purchases,” Mike gushes. “The Manley ELOP is a brilliant device that gets used on literally every session. I love it for tracking bass and guitars. The UBK Fatso also turned out to be a great addition to the studio – the high frequency compression is perfect for taming bright or harsh guitars and the “Glue” compressor setting gets used very often as a parallel compressor. But my favorite purchase,” he continues, “is definitely the matched pair of Coles 4038 microphones. I had used these many times in other studios and had been wanting a pair of my of my own for years. They’re the best sounding overheads I have used, hands down.”

With recording artists such as Good Luck, Release the Sunbird, and comedian Tig Notaro taking advantage of – and being very pleased with - Russian Recording’s amped up facilities, Mike says that new upgrades are constantly on the horizon for the studio. “Every time I make an upgrade, I promise myself that it will be my last… But it never is! I will absolutely go with Vintage King for my next upgrade – I really like working with Jeff because, well, to put it bluntly, he is a cool dude and I don’t cringe every time I have to call him with a question or place an order. I never feel pressured to buy anything more than what I ask for. He’s easy to get a hold of, very knowledgeable, and most importantly, neither condescending nor a kiss-ass.” Well said, Mike.

For more information on Russian Recording,visit www.russianrecording.com

CASE STUDY:
Originally built in 1970 by Jimi Hendrix and designed by architect and acoustician John Storyk, Electric Lady Studios in New York City hardly needs an introduction. Vintage King Audio Co-Owner Mike Nehra recently worked with the legendary recording space on the commission and Premium VK Service of a Neve 8078 recording console.

Electric Lady Studios has worked with Vintage King on a variety of recording equipment for the past four years; Studio Manager Lee Foster and Vintage King Co-Owner / Director of Sales Mike Nehra developed a relationship during Electric Lady’s search for a vintage Neve recording console, which was kicked into full gear October 2010 when Nehra found the exact console to meet Electric Lady’s requests.

Electric Lady Studios’ current mission is to perform at a world-class level using the standards of 1980 – to truly go back to the practices and expectations of audio recording at its peak. After exhaustive research, Foster and the entire team at Electric Lady weren’t just searching for a vintage Neve, they were searching for this Vintage Neve. Previously belonging to Clinton Recording Studios, Vintage King Audio acquired the console after Clinton closed its doors in July 2010. Shortly thereafter, the wheels were in motion to install this piece of musical history into Electric Lady’s illustrious Studio A.

Studio A is a classic live room and naturally asks for ‘classic Neve’ on its own,” says Foster. “We wanted to make it whole and give our clients what they would expect inside Electric Lady’s flagship tracking room.”

Replacing an SSL J900 (Electric Lady still has two other J900’s in operation), Electric Lady was understandably concerned with how quickly the Neve 8078 could be completely refurbished and installed in order to eliminate downtime. Nehra had Vintage King’s renowned tech department on the case immediately, who began an ambitious VK Premium Service straight away.

The Vintage King Tech Department completed rigorous tests on the Neve in order to determine what sonic, technical and aesthetic changes had to be made in order to restore the console back to its original luster and 1970’s factory specifications. After tests and re-tests, all faults were corrected to ensure that the console would operate perfectly. Vintage King replaced the capacitors, cleaned the desk by hand inside and out, re-painted and re-screened worn panels. To ensure the Neve 8078 looked as good as it would sound, Vintage King Audio commissioned a custom wood-worker to completely re-create the custom-built mahogany producer’s desk.

In this day and age, most studios are moving forward to mix in the box and rely primarily on computers with their artists,” says Mike Nehra. “In Electric Lady’s case, they’re reviving history and breathing life into the premium, classic and sonic perfection of the Neve 8078. They challenged the industry standard and purchased the best that money can buy with this vintage desk. We can’t wait to hear the musical histoy the continue to make in Studio A.”

LINKS: Neve 8078 Restored for Electric Lady Studios

CASE STUDY:
Members of the Grammy Winning band Wilco worked with Vintage King Audio’s Darrin Fendley on the purchase of a Neve BCM 10 Recording Console earlier this year for their lauded recording studio, The Wilco Loft, in Chicago. While the band was recording their 2009 release Wilco (The Album), producer and engineer Jim Scott brought his own Neve BCM-10 sidecars loaded with 1073 & 1079 EQ’s into the studio for the session. Wilco fell for the sound and contacted Fendley shortly thereafter to get a BCM-10 of his own permanently installed in The Loft.

“Vintage King has assisted with outfitting the Wilco Loft since August of 2008,” says Fendley. “We’ve set the studio up with Micpreamps, EQ’s, Headphone systems and mics over the years. The BCM-10 will definitely round out the Loft’s roster of gear and give the band an opportunity to capture the tone of the classic records they grew up listening to.”

Most recently, Tweedy collaborated with legendary soul singer Mavis Staples as producer on her forthcoming album You Are Not Alone, in the Wilco Loft. Vintage King looks forward to hearing what the band will do next with the newly installed BCM-10.

LINKS: Neve BCM-10

CASE STUDY:
The Oberlin Conservatory of Music began planning the construction of their state of the art Joseph R. Clonick Recording Studio over ten years ago, with acoustic consultant Dana Kierkegaard of Kierkegaard Acoustic Design at the helm. While developing plans with the college’s project liaison, Michael Lynn, Kierkegaard turned to Vintage King’s Ryan McGuire for assistance with the studio’s new gear. Kierkegaard has worked with Vintage King (and McGuire in particular) on previous projects; the pair took the same innovative approach to selecting gear for the Clonick Recording Studio and performance space.

“Working with Dana Kirkegaard on this project was a pleasure as he is very familiar with the best audio gear available both past and present,” says Ryan McGuire of Vintage King. “He had Oberlin’s best interest in mind while selecting gear that’s a bit ‘outside of the box’ compared to what most educational institutions install nowadays. I really believe the result is a studio that rivals the best in the United States. The Clonick Recording Studio will be relevant and up to date for decades to come and will offer Oberlin staff and students the flexibility to handle any project that comes their way.”

Now equipped with a 16 channel Rupert Neve Designs 5088 Console with Shadow Mix Automation, McGuire and the team at Oberlin created a unique, state of the art package of gear for the new space, from the stereo pair of Telefuken V76’s in a custom Vintage King rack to the Neve 8816 and Thermionic Culture Phoenix Mastering Compressor (a complete list of gear can be found above).

An impressive roster of musicians have since utilized the state of the art facility, including pianist and composer Hiromi Uehara who mixed her latest album with producer Michael Bishop, Richard King, principal hornist of the Cleveland Orchestra, and Stevie Wonder, who stopped by to play the studio’s Hamburg Steinway during the studio’s opening ceremony festivities.

For more information, visit The Oberlin Conservatory of Music’s Joseph R. Clonick Recording Studio

CASE STUDY:
Renowned Austin based guitar player David Abeyta worked with Vintage King’s Drew Townson on acquiring a few pieces of used gear to supplement his studio setup with his band Reckless Kelly. Abeyta and Townson immediately connected on a musical level; after some great gear talks, Townson was confident that Vintage King Audio could help Abeyta achieve his musical goals. Having heard a Germanium Compressor and admiring its aggressive sound and “in your face” applications, Abeyta’s gear search began. When the Germanium Compressor became available through Vintage King Audio, Townson immediately let David know, just in time for their work on the Reckless Kelly album, Good Luck & True Love.

“The Germanium Compressor’s sonic characteristics suit Reckless Kelly perfectly,” says Abeyta. “I’ve used it to toughen up everything from acoustic guitars to Wurlitzer piano and have been really happy with the color it brings.”

Drew also worked with Abeyta on choosing different converters for the studio. While mixing at Wire Recording in Austin, TX, Abeyta became familiar with and a fan of the Auroras. As luck would have it, a unit became available through Vintage King Audio and Drew let David know immediately.

Acknowledging that the search for used gear can be a harrowing process, Abeyta continues, “I feel really confident buying used pieces from Vintage King thanks to the profess all of their used gear goes through once it’s sold. It goes to the tech bench and gets a complete work through, so I totally avoid the feeling of dread I usually have when buying used gear. I can’t say enough good things about the used gear process and the confidence Vintage King gives you while purchasing.”

For more information on Reckless Kell

CASE STUDY:
13 Analog Recording Inc. is a locally owned and operated recording studio in Tempe, Arizona. Under the direction of owner Catherine Vericolli, the studio maintains an analog focus with the modern technologies (and convenience) of digital mixing and editing. A client of Vintage King’s since 2006, 513 Analog, Inc. turned to Vintage King’s Jacob Schneider earlier this summer when the time came to make some major system upgrades.

In addition to the impressive list of outboard gear that 513 Analog acquired, Catherine specifically connected with Schneider for Pro Tools HD Native, which Vericolli and the rest of the 513 team are currently acquainting themselves with. Upgrading from Pro Tools 7.4 to 9, the studio embarked on a total makeover.

“513 Analog had already purchased a Trident console locally, so they were looking for gear that would fit well in the new mix suite,” says Schneider. “Between the gear that the studio had already purchased from Vintage King – such as their first Culture Vulture and custom racked pair of Neve compressors – and their growing wish list, we secured a really great variety of equipment for the studio.”

513 Analog, Inc. first tackled their list of new 500 series mods, including the API 512 reissues, which they purchased from Vintage King. While searching for a more affordable EQ to add to their lunchbox, Jacob suggested the Inward Connections Step EQ, now known as the Inward Connections Impulse, after the unit underwent some major aesthetic and sonic upgrades, including the VF-600 discrete amp block. Additionally, the studio purchased gear from Shadow Hills (a Dual Vandergraph and Mono Optograph), API (the 2500 SB compressor and the 525’s) and more.

“We’re really excited about the new API gear being installed,” says Vericolli. “The 2500 was a great suggestion from Jacob. We were originally looking into getting some other compressors, but the 2500 was a more cost effective option that allowed us to stay within our budget and still provide the options that we wanted for our clients.”

The majority of 513 Analog’s new gear will be part of their second mixing suite, set to open later this summer. “Our biggest issue was tackling large Pro Tools sessions on LE without console automation. With the HD Native system and Trident 80B in place, we can move sessions from room to room with ease,” Vericolli remarks. “Our new outboard options are a perfect combination with our old vintage gear and allow us to bring in more guest engineers. Working the Vintage King [on these purchases] has been awesome. The customer service and affordability outweigh any other gear company I’ve dealt with.” She continues, “They are super knowledgeable and honest about all the gear that they sell, which is a huge plus for newbies like us. Bottom line, if Vintage King carries it, we trust it.”

LINKS: 513 Analog Recording Inc

CASE STUDY:
DTS, Inc., a company specializing in digital surround sound formats used for both theatrical and consumer grade applications, recently purchased a 7-channel Barefoot Sound monitoring system from Vintage King Audio, under the direction of West Coast sales representative, Jeffrey Ehrenberg.

The monitors were installed in DTS’ “Mastering Room,” at company headquarters in Calabasas, CA. Used for listening tests, mixing (music and audio for video clips mainly), and mastering in 7.1, the Barefoot MM27’s are the only speakers in the room. “Testing high end codecs can be quite challenging because we are constantly pushing a human’s ability to detect change in the audio to the absolute limit,” says Kent Moore of DTS, Inc. “The only way to test this accurately is with accurate equipment and the Barefoot MM27’s meet this requirement. The mid range clarity is incredible for an active pro audio speaker.”

LINKS: Barefoot Sound

CASE STUDY:
Ben’s Studio, previously the private recording studio of Ben Folds now available as a commercial recording studio in Nashville, TN, worked with Vintage King Audio’s Jeff Leibovich on the acquisition and installation of a vintage API 3288 recording console.

Studio manager Sharon Corbitt-House and chief engineer Leslie Richter contacted Leibovich while looking to replace the Neotek Elite Console Ben’s Studio was operating on. After careful deliberation, the team decided on the API 3288 that Vintage King acquired in the fall of 2010. The console itself is rich in history, allegedly the desk that Fleetwood Mac mixed the Grammy Award winning Rumours on, and a confirmed part of music history as part of Conway Studios and Electric Lady.

“Sharon and Leslie were so easy to work with throughout the whole deal,” says Leibovich. “They asked the right questions ahead of time so that there weren’t many surprises once they took delivery. They of course realized they were diving into the world of Vintage API, which is very “Rock and Roll” in my opinion.

LINKS: API 3288 Vintage Recording Console

CASE STUDY:
The North Warehouse Media Group (NoWare) is a digital content studio specializing in sound design, composition, and training for audio related production. As a group of certified Pro Tools Expert Trainers, the media collective wanted to get their hands on a Pro Tools HD Native System and Avid HF 16 I/O converter as soon as possible. NoWare Media contacted Vintage King sales representative Alex Oana (who now resides in Los Angeles, but is originally from Minnesota himself) with the query.

“NoWare Media partners Scott LeGere, Eric Olsen, and Joel Dodson are long time friends of mine,” says Oana. “Having just acquired a gorgeous Minneapolis warehouse district work space, they were taking their music and production collective to the next level and needed an affordable, yet powerful step up from the limited world of Pro Tools LE and Digi003. They took a leap of faith with HD Native and the HD I/O and were blown away by the performance. Eric shares his ninja-level Avid certification teaching at one of the largest Avid training institutions in the country - IPR, also a client of mine. In light of his status, I arranged some special red-carpet treatment for Eric related to his Avid upgrade from 003 LE to HD Native.” Oana continues, “Partner Joel Dodson additionally purchased all of the audio equipment for the new multimedia production suites at Olson Co, the Midwest’s largest advertising agency, also named one of Inc’s fastest growing private companies, where he is director of audio and video production.”

In addition to HD Native, NoWare media also purchased a Furman Headphone system. Dodson worked with Oana on the purchase of a BAE 11 space 500 series rack, Retro 176 Matched Pair, Antelope Audio Zodiac and M-Audio Sputnik tube mic. Integrating the gear into their setup quickly, the NoWare Media partners were particularly pleased with HD Native.

After a quick and painless installation, we heard the system come to life with an openness in the high end that sounded natural and rich, a wide and spacious stereo image, and a low end that felt tight and reassuring. After the first week of use, we believe that every session we called up sounded stronger, more defined, and had better balance across the listening field. Bottom line, this upgrade has become what you always hope any capital expenditure will be- indispensable. We’re thrilled. Our work sounds better, our clients are more inspired, and we’re happier to come into the office.”

For more information on NoWare media, visit NoWare Media

LINKS: Avid Pro Tools HD Native, Furman Headphone System, BAE 11 space 50 series rack, Retro Instruments 176 matched pair, Antelope Audio Zodiac, M-Audio Sputnik tube mic

CASE STUDY:
When Paul Cavanaugh and Scott Kennerly started looking to add outboard gear to an existing home studio, they turned to pro audio forums like Gearslutz and Tape Op for the most trusted and recommended source for gear. Vintage King Audio was at the top of that list and Cavanaugh and Kennerly quickly began working with Jeff Leibovich. It was right around this time that the partners also realized they were outgrowing their home studio so they set out to expand the Lost Ark’s location and gear list.

The space was built around an SSL Matrix and Pro Tools HD rig from Vintage King Audio. To supplement the board, Leibovich sent The Lost Ark his personal “wish list” of gear, suggesting a number of boutique options, such as the Retro Instruments STA-Level, 176 Limiting Amplifier and 2A3 EQ, which they purchased. Cavanaugh and Kennerly recently used the Retro Instruments gear on a session for local alt-country artist John Meeks with Jimmy La Valle of Album Leaf and Matt Resovich from The Black Heart Procession for Meeks’ latest project, a country duets record with singer/songwriter Joanie Mendenhall.

“We’ve been really impressed with how all of the Retro Instruments gear keeps the natural vibe of the tracks but add their own magic,” says Cavanaugh. “And the SSL Matrix’s ability to move quickly from Pro Tools to the analog world and back again has been a big plus as well.”

When asked why The Lost Ark, a project studio available to local artists at no cost, turned to Vintage King Audio, Cavanaugh stated, “Everyone knows that it’s a price sensitive world out there, but it was important for The Lost Ark to have a relationship with a trusted source – a company that would be straight with us and stand by what they sell.” He continues, “Vintage King has been that and Jeff is great to work with – he cares about what we’re trying to do and he doesn’t just sell the gear, he knows the gear.”

LINKS: SSL Matrix, Pro Tools HD, Retro Instruments STA-Level, 2A3 and 176

CASE STUDY:
Built on 20 acres of land in idyllic Woodstock, NY, Levon Helm Studios is legendary not just in clientele – Muddy Waters, The Band, Eric Clapton, My Morning Jacket, Elvis Presley Band and The Black Crowes to name a few – but also in architecture. Built using no nails, only wooden pegs and locally quarried bluestone, the studio has optimal sound quality and a unique, creative vibe. Earlier this year, Production Manager and Chief Engineer Justin Guip was looking to update the studio’s DAW setup and acquire a few pieces of boutique gear for his own studio; he and Vintage King Audio’s Drew Townson connected to get the ball rolling.

Justin and I spent quite a bit of time consulting and formulating the new system,” says Townson. “Levon's barn has been there for decades as a live music venue and recording studio, so there was already some nice classic analog gear in there. But it was time to upgrade and freshen up the rig, especially as far a DAW goes. We did that in a way that it would integrate smoothly and transparently with the existing outfit, and this is why Justin called on Vintage King in the first place.”

Guip also added HD Native at his home studio for post production/mixing, which has enabled him to work through transitions seamlessly from is PT HD 3 Accel System without sacrificing quality, speed or power. Additionally, Guip also purchased a Shadow Hills Equinox summing system, which he’s been incredibly pleased with since its integration.

Justin was a pleasure to work with – he’s both professional and down to earth,” says Townson. “He tells me the sonic improvement is more than subtle. Levon is a huge hero of mine, so it was especially gratifying for me to be part of this, and I look forward to working with Justin and Levon Helm Studios again in the future. As Neil Young would say. ‘More barn!’”

For more information on Levon Helm Studios, visit Levon Helm Studios

LINKS: Avid HD Native, Shadow Hills Equinox summing system, Universal Audio UAD-2 Quad DSP card

CASE STUDY:
Critically acclaimed drummer Chad Cromwell, best known for his work with Neil Young, Mark Knopfler and The Eagle’s Joe Walsh, began working with Mike Nehra and Jeff Leibovich at Vintage King Audio in 2009 while expanding his career as a successful producer. Living outside of Nashville, TN, Cromwell wanted to create a studio that was still very much a part of the city’s thriving music scene on his farm in Primm Springs, about 50 miles away. Nehra and Leibovich assisted Cromwell in outfitting Lamplight Studios with Pro Tools HD and a wide array of high-level front-end gear to compliment the studio’s primarily DAW setup. From the computer to the API Waves bundle; the mic stands to the mic pre’s, Nehra and Cromwell worked together on the entire studio.

“My relationship with Vintage King started when John McBride at Blackbird Studios suggested that I speak to Mike Nehra,” says Cromwell. “Once we started working together on setting up Lamplight Studios, it was a fantastic process. I’ve always been on the other side of the glass as a musician so the advice that Mike provided on what to purchase for Lamplight was the cornerstone of the studio.”

Nehra first recommended the Shadow Hills Equinox. As a mic pre, summing mixer and monitor section all in one, the Equinox fit into the Digital Audio Workflow of Lamplight Studios and helped create a seamlessness with the other gear Cromwell purchased, including the Shadow Hills GAMA Mic Pre and more. The entire space was wired with Mogami Gold Cabling.

Most recently, Cromwell invited AAA recording artist Pieta Brown into the studio to track and mix her forthcoming full length. While Chad played drums, Bo Ramsey served as producer with up and coming engineer Mark Polack tracking.

LINKS: Shadow Hills Equinox, Shadow Hills Mono GAMA Mic Pre, API 512C Preamp, Urei 1178

CASE STUDY:
In the Fall of 2009, WNYC Radio, the nation’s largest public radio station, consulted with Peter Kehoe and Vintage King Audio to outfit the station’s new street-level public space, The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. Marking the first relocation for WNYC-FM in 85 years, WNYC-FM was in search of a new console for both The Greene Space and WNYC’s music studio in their new Hudson Square facilities.

The technical staff at WNYC, led by Chief Technology Officer Steve Shultis, turned to Peter Kehoe on the purchase and installation of large format analog and digital consoles. Kehoe’s expertise in the area, combined with Vintage King’s existing industry relationships proved valuable in assessing the various consoles WNYC was considering.

WNYC broadcasts a vast spectrum of content, from traditional news programming to live music performances, so they require a high quality console to meet on-air and mixing demands,” says Kehoe. “We narrowed the selection down to three choices based on sound quality, reliability and redundancy. After demo-ing the consoles, the API Vision was a logical choice. With 3 Stereo Buses, 24 Main Buses and their legendary EQ and dynamics processors inserted on every channel, the console is equipped to seamlessly segue between interviews and on-air performances, ranging from intimate acoustic artists to the rich, full sound of an 8-piece jazz band.”

Kehoe and Vintage King ultimately recommended the API Vision console not only for superb sound quality, but also dependability. An uninterrupted power source was a crucial deciding factor to meet WNYC’s needs and ensure that the station’s broadcasts run uninterrupted. The redundancy provided through the console’s traditional analog power supply design creates the reliability necessary for on-air broadcasts.

For more information about WNYC Radio and the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, visit www.thegreenespace.org .

LINKS: www.thegreenespace.org

CASE STUDY:
Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, musician Merlin Moon is an artist with a deep appreciation for vintage recording equipment and the rich sounds they encourage. Pizzorni first consulted with Mike Nehra and Vintage King Audio in 2004 on a pair of Neve 33102’s, Neve 2254e compressors and handful of additional outboard gear. As his studio grew, so did his gear list; Pizzorni began working with Vintage King’s Jeff Leibovich last year.

Beginning with a Telefunken ELA-M 251 Diaphragm Mic, Leibovich assisted Merlin Moon with his vintage equipment search and transitioned his modest home studio into the impressive collection of vintage pieces it is today, including Merlin Moon’s 1969 germanium 24-channel console (personally acquired) serving as the centerpiece. A CLASP system was recently installed (from Vintage King Audio) as well, fully integrating today’s modern technology with Merlin Moon’s classic analog sensibilities.

“In today’s world, we can blend the sound of vintage discrete technology with fast tools to get every possible idea out when the creative spark hits our brain,” says Merlin Moon. “I have never been in love with the sound of modern gear, except for the Inward Connections Vac Rac, which I’m learning to love, and the beauty of my two Mytek converters.” He continues, “I have A/B’ed more than a hundred mics against my ELA 251 and the closest match to its smooth and beautiful sound is the AKG C60/CK4, another vintage mic that I also bought from Vintage King. I have a pair of those for my piano and when I turn them on, something magical happens with the sound of my compositions.”

After releasing his debut album “Stoned By Dreams” in 2008, Merlin Moon spent much of the last few years composing what eventually became “Bohemian Side of the Sky,” his sophomore album, recorded in part at Merlin Moon studio and mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Bloc Party). For more information, visit www.merlinmoon.com.

LINKS: CLASP, Vintage Telefunken ELA M 251E, Vintage EMI 12413 Comp/Lim Pair, GML 8200, Mytek 8x192

CASE STUDY:
Keith Harter, owner of Keith Harter Music Studios, emphasizes not only the unparalleled, quality recording experience the studio provides for its clients but also the close-knit dynamic of this family business (Keith’s son Jonathan also works at KHM). So it was only natural that Keith Harter Music Studios turned to Vintage King Audio when upgrading the facility’s Studio A earlier this year. Vintage King sales engineer Darrin Fendley first connected with Harter during his search for a great vocal compressor. After sending Harter a few units for demo, the two began discussing additional upgrades, from summing mixers to clocking systems.

“Keith decided to take a very interesting approach to summing when he chose two summing mixers to use in tandem for his room, the Chandler Mini Mixer and Dangerous 2Bus,” says Fendley. “With such a diverse client roster, from musicians like George Strait, Jurassic Fight Club and Harry Connick Jr., to radio, television, video games and films including No Country for Old Men and Spiderman 3, Keith obviously needed options. The Chandler provides room to really rock on recordings of all genres of music. Alternately, the Dangerous has a cleaner sound for their commercial work. Keith has taken his studio to a new level over the last month with us. Having the necessary tools for the job gets you to the right decision faster, with less trouble and that’s what Vintage King is here for.”

In addition to the two summing mixers, Harter also consulted with Darrin on the purchase of both the Antelope Trinity master clock and Antelope 10M atomic to be used in conjunction with the studio’s Apogee converters. With the addition of the Trinity/10M combo, Harter notes that the studios’ sound has become even more focused and clear, cohesively bringing together the equipment he and Fendley decided upon. “We’re always striving to supply our clients with the highest quality experience available, from the best vintage microphones to cutting edge clocking systems or sometimes just really great tasting coffee in our lounge. In other words, we’re committed to incredible sounding audio with a fast workflow in a comfortable environment,” says Harter. “We’re a family business and we’re looking for a dealer that takes care of us the same way we take care of each other. Vintage King is committed to endorsing and selling the best gear anywhere and that falls in line with our mission. As long as there is new and exciting gear to experience, Vintage King is where the Keith Harter Music family will look first.”

LINKS: