Meeting Topic: Analog Recording/Mixing Consoles of Yesterday & Today
Moderator Name: Jim Naron
Speaker Name: Jim Naron - CRAS Instructor Skyla Wuebber - CRAS Student, AES Vice President Colby Peterson - CRAS Student, AES Secretary David Kohr - CRAS Student, AES President Erica Aloian - CRAS Student
Other business or activities at the meeting: It Might Get Loud Documentary - 1-30-14
Meeting Location: Gilbert Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences
Tonight, the CRAS AES Student Chapter was pleased to present 'Analog Recording & Mixing Consoles of Yesterday & Today', a presentation put together by the Student AES Officer Holders and Jim Naron, the AES Faculty Co-Advisor. The goal of the meeting was to expose students to different types of consoles outside of the Conservatory. CRAS is home to two Neotek Elites, two API's, two C24 control sufaces and two SSL's. In the presentation we talked of 23 different console manufacturers.
Jim started the presentation with the R.E.D.D 51 console, featured at Abbey Road Studio, which was the Beatles primary recording console. Back in the early days of the industry, engineers would build their consoles from the ground up. Now there is a plug in by Waves that emulates the sound of the R.E.D.D. 51. Other console manufacturers mentioned by Jim were: Otari, SSL, Studer, Toft, and Trident. AES Vice President Skyla talked next, one specific manufacturer mentioned was Focusrite.
Focusrite was founded by Rupert Neve in 1985. They specialized in EQ's and dynamic processors, but faced liquidation in 1989. Phil Dudderidge bought their assets, and since has started manufacturing consoles. Other consoles Skyla mentioned were Tonelex, Calrec, and Helios.
Erica talked of Electrodyne, which is now owned by Orphan Audio. They were the first company to make a fully integrated channel strip! They also had the first mass produced console. A very inspiring company, who was a pioneer in the early days of recording consoles.
Colby went on to talk about Rupert Neve, and many of the consoles he has built in his lifetime. He concentrated mostly on the Neve 8078 from the documentary, Sound City. Many people still desire the classic 'Neve' sound, and his vintage consoles are very sought after. Colby also talked about: Midas, Oram, and Neotek. AES President David gave a great presentation on API. In 1969, they invented the modular design. Also, they were the first to use a VCA!
David also presented about: Audient, and Amek. All in all the meeting was a success. The goal was met, and the students left the presentation more aware of the different types of consoles beyond the Conservatory.
Written By: Jim Naron
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