Sydney’s A Sharp recording studio opened in the late 1960s and now claims to be the oldest independent recording studio in the city, joining Studios 301 in leading Australia’s music recording heritage. Now owned by Richard Lake, an engineer and musician who bought the facility in 2014, the facility has completed a comprehensive upgrade and redesign. Key to this upgrade is the installation of a 24-channel Solid State Logic AWS 948 Console.
‘We hired some of the best people in the Australian industry to redesign the studio’s architectural, acoustic and technical aspects,’ Lake says. ‘With a sophisticated, ergonomic workflow in mind, we chose the AWS 948. Because of the console’s reliability, reputation and ease-of-use, we knew it was the only way forward within our chosen workflow.’
Lake uses the AWS – which replaced an aging console – with an Avid Pro Tools HDX DAW system: ‘We particularly like the integration of Pro Tools via the dual-layer notion of controlling the analogue source and Pro Tools source via simple selection,’ he explains. ‘This saves quite a bit of time, especially when writing automation into Pro Tools on the fly, or navigating and editing complicated mixes consisting of many audio stems. It is also useful to be able to instantiate and control plug-ins via the console centre section, allowing a more natural and precise approach.’
The AWS also allows integration and routing of A Sharp’s outboard – the studio boasts an SSL XLogic X-Rack loaded with eight E Series dynamic modules and extensive other processors, as well as preams from Neve, API, Manely and Avalon – while its monitoring section controls a variety of loudspeaker monitors. The mic cupboard is similary well stocked, and inclides ribbon models from RCA 44B, Royer R122 and Reslo Sound alongside more usual options. ‘Reputation, and therefore success, is built on results, so the console is all-important as the controlling factor in the studio,’ Lake says.
‘Sound quality is something you expect with an SSL. It’s something the clients observe straightaway; they love hearing their music through the console. Having this desk has also proven a bonus to us in terms of guest producers and engineers who can immediately sit and use it, whether because of the console’s user-friendly simplicity or previous experience with SSL consoles. We have been extremely busy with new and existing clients since the upgrade; everyone is impressed with the sound of the AWS. You can hear the quality – clear and crisp, with loads of headroom.’
