Imaginary Road StudioThe Gear
Prior to 2001, we felt that any digital recording device other than the Sony 3324 DASH recorder outfitted with Apogee filters was a compromise in sonic quality. Bud Costanza (as the 3324 was affectionately called) finally retired after tracking many of the Windham Hill releases and dozens for Imaginary Road. The twin Yamaha DMC 1000 digital consoles had become so attached to Bud, that news of his departure sparked their violent revolt, followed by depression and an incurable drinking binge. The 12-step research program to find the best system to replace these key elements resulted in the adoption of Pro-Tools by DigiDesign. Version 5.1 could finally make an edit without creating digital noise and new 24-bit capabilities yield uncompromising precision in all stages of the creative process. Now, in 2007, with a full ProTools HD system powered by Apogee AD16/DA16 converters, we have amazing capabilities. The new ICON console provides a full featured automated interface with seemingly infinite flexibility, 24 assignable motorized faders, and efficiency features galore. Numerous plug-ins (Waves, Sound Toys, Sony, etc. ) provide an arsenal of tools and effects to create the same (if not higher) level of quality that Will has always demanded from his recordings. Out of respect to Bud (and habit), we still refer to "going to tape" despite the fact that everything is on hard-drives now. We have also added a Neve 8816 summing mixer for those situations which may benefit from analog summing in the final stages. The signal path prior to getting to "tape" is still critical. The Microphone locker includes numerous vintage Neumann tube microphones, all fully restored by Klaus Heyne of German Masterworks, as well as some newer mics by Neumann, AKG, Schoepps, Beyer, Earthworks, Shure, AT and Sennheiser. We are priveliged to have two "one-of-a-kind" 8 channel custom-made mic pres by Jim Hemingway. GML compressor/limiters are available, as well as other devices by TC Electronics, Eventide, Kurzweil, Lexicon, Yamaha. The primary monitors are soffit-mounted Genelec 1031-As. An array of small reference monitors by Yamaha, Boston Acoustics and KEF are used as well. Please e-mail or call us to find out more technical details. The number in Vermont is 802-257-7007. Corin Nelsen |
