Group photo from the tour
The CRAS AES chapter was ecstatic to join Don Salter, the owner of Saltmine Studios, on a very personable tour of his studios. The students arrived at Saltmine studios and walked through two gates that opened up to a winsome courtyard. The atmosphere was very welcoming, elegant water fountains led the way into a basketball goal and pingpong table for clients to get their minds off of recording and relax! Don decided to even include a venue to host live shows! An interesting fact about the courtyard is that it used to be a parking lot and was renovated into the perfect welcoming spot for clients and students. Studer the studio cat was sauntering around the courtyard and was very friendly toward the students.
Don opened up the doors to allow us into the studio lobby and it was a completely different world inside. There were many Egyptian artifacts and relics throughout the lobby that transpired into the studio rooms as well. Don explained to the students that Egyptian culture is something that he holds very close to his heart and inspired him with the theme of Saltmine! Don started the tour by talking about his background with Saltmine, saying that he first started his studio dream in his bedroom and moved to his dining room, then the garage, and gradually took more steps to achieve his goals. One of the students asked Don how he was able to stay grounded throughout the process and Don responded by paying homage to his wife for being there for him every step of the way. Pro Tools was a major emphasis talking point in Don's opening speech, he mentioned that being proficient in Pro Tools is key to being successful in major studios and he urged the students to be as proficient as possible in Pro Tools to help them in their future endeavors. Don proceeded to talk about the consoles he owns in his studios, which was truly fascinating. He has everything from a 70's Vintage Custom Neve signed by Robert Neve himself to a SSL 4056 G+ TR Console formerly owned by producer David Foster! Don's energy was extremely vibrant and friendly and did a great job making the CRAS students feel welcomed and at home! Don then guided the students into Studio A, but on the way, there was a sarcophagus at the end of a hallway with pictures hanging on a wall with multiple clientele that were recorded at the Saltmine Studios.
Studio A was the first control room the students checked out, and they were blown away by the massive speakers and outboard gear that were in the room. The unique Egyptian culture was scattered all over the control room that really added so much vibrant energy to it. Don told the students that he had back ups of every piece of equipment that he had because time is money and whenever the clients are in the zone and the energy is flowing, that any setback could be crucial to the recording process. He also emphasized how important it is to have a clean and sanitized workplace. During the COVID outbreak, being a media service allowed the Saltmine to remain open during the pandemic and Don received more business during that time because of how clean he kept his studios. Don purchased a UV-C Light Disinfection Device to kill all the DNA of the Coronavirus in his studios and also had radiation cards that would kill every germ in the room. This allowed the students to understand how important it is to keep a clean environment to allow your clients to feel safe and comfortable! He highlighted his gear, Megasound Cluster 5 Main Monitors with TAD 1603 Woofers that were hand built and designed for the room, his wide variety of outboard gear, and his tape machines! Don was fond of the combination of analog and digital when tracking and mixing.
Don then showed the students the live room for Studio A and explained how important it is to take care of your clients and make everyone feel welcomed. He brought up an event that happened recently when a group of veterans were tracking in studio A and were astonished and felt honored by the American flag that hangs up above the glass pane in the live room. He then proceeded to say that he not only has the American flag, but also a Japanese, Brazilian, and Mexican flag in the Saltmine to represent that everyone is welcomed and treated equally in his studio.
He stated that human nature is to be a good person and help each other out and if you show love to people you will receive love back. Looking at the studios and energy that Don has in the Saltmine it is obvious that those morals are a key part of his success. Expanding upon this idea, Don expressed his feelings about dealing with the problems that arise in the studios. One of his mantras is that the customer is not always right but always valued. This saying is what makes his studio run so smoothly, he spoke about how when he had issues in the studios he has open and genuine conversations with everyone involved individually to make sure everything gets resolved in a professional manner.
Don guided the students throughout the studios and showing them all the accomplishments he has achieved, from recording Lollipop and Ms. Officer by Lil Wayne in Saltmine studios to being on the cover of Mix magazine! The students were able to go into almost every studio and get a surreal experience that will stick with them forever. One of the most interesting things he told us was that his Studio E was once an Air BnB that he used to rent out and then he decided to turn it into a studio and the rest is history! Don closed the tour by opening his studio to the CRAS students for internships! He stated that he loves CRAS students and if they do great things in their time at CRAS that there will be a strong chance that he will bring the students on as an intern and even more! He then opened the floor for questions and even took pictures with the students.
CRAS AES is forever grateful for the hospitality, guidance, and knowledge that Don Salter shared with the CRAS students. We wish him the best in his endeavors and hope to see him again soon!
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