Press Releases

NEW YORK — AVATAR Studios, New York's premier tracking and mixing facility, is proud to announce the completion of its redesigned 'D' studio. One of the four main studios, 'D' took three months to refit and now boasts AVATAR's second SSL-9000 series console and Westlake BBSM-15 monitors.

Acoustically and architecturally, AVATAR's Chief Engineer Ken Bailey had the challenge of "tightening" up the room in an attempt to make it more listening and worker friendly. "We want this room to be an overdub/mix room and that's what we set out to achieve," explains Bailey. Major reconstruction and acoustic treatment of the entire front wall including soffit mounted Westlake BBSM-15 speakers done by long time in-house carpenter Vinny Sofia. Bailey explains that the back wall was moved in and "a combination of acoustic treatments and calculated construction were used to provide proper low frequency 'trapping,' something this room really needed. Vinny also gave the room a new visual by using a very slick black stain on all the woodwork. It's a whole new world."

The Westlake BBSM-15's which were chosen as Studio D's main monitors are a 3-way design incorporating dual 15" high performance woofers, 10" midbass drivers and 1" compression tweeters. The soffit mounted monitors are being bi-amplified via the systems internal passive high level crossover with amplification from a single Crown MacroTech for the low frequency and a pair of Bryston 7B monoblocks for the mid and high frequencies.

Other room characteristics include a spacious 575 sq. ft. control room with a 323 sq. ft. live room with a ceiling height of 12 feet at its highest point. "The new Studio D is ideal for mixing and overdub sessions," states Kirk Imamura, AVATAR's president. "The control room size also makes it a perfect environment for 5.1 Surround mixing and the isolated location of the studio ensures maximum privacy. Since the refit the studio has been locked out 24/7 and will be through the fall into winter. People have been thrilled."

For the Studio D console, the SL 9000 J Series SuperAnalogue™ console was chosen for its combining ultra-high quality analogue electronics with sophisticated digital control and automation to accommodate the evolving needs of modern audio production. Advanced DC-coupled analogue technology offers a new high in audio performance, designed to complement the latest digital recording media, whilst the signal routing options provide unparalleled levels of flexibility. Enhanced versions of Ultimation and Total Recall give the SL 9000 J the most accomplished console automation system available. 5.1 developments ensure the SL 9000 J Series console provides the most extensive support for DVD and SACD productions available.

During demolition, Bailey and his team removed all of the old and previous wiring and made sure to clean out all of the wiring troughs ("A clean studio does sound and work better"). After establishing the wiring path and measuring new harnesses were laid and tie lines were added. For the HVAC, Bailey first took into consideration the 'heat load' of all the equipment to make sure the units were sufficient to cool them. One unit is utilized for the machine/computer/power supply room, and a second unit for the control room and a third unit for the client lounge with registers and returns placed in proper proximity for maximum cooling and minimal noise.

However the real concern for Bailey wasn't the HVAC, wiring, equipment or any of the technical issues, but was how to best service the clients. "We have a wide range of clients and styles of music," he says. "Our clients are at the top of the spectrum and we make sure every base is always covered. We make sure no matter who the client is that they are comfortable, and that any possible thing they want is either in the room or on the way in."

Some of the artists that have used Avatar's Studio D prior to its redesign, include Diana Ross, Missy Elliot, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Foxy Brown, Latoya Jackson, Nile Rodgers, Joe Jackson, Brenda Starr, Maxi Priest, Coko, Bad Company, Tony Visconti, Ric Wake, Celine Dion, Dream Theatre, Erykah Badu, Luther Vandross, Bebe Winans, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and John Patitucci.

Studio D Outboard List: Eight Pultec eqp 1a3; two Urei 1176N; one SSL G384 compressor; one Drawmer 1960; one Lexicon pcm81; two Lexicon pcm42; one Lexicon pcm91; Roland sde3000a; TC M3000, two Drawmer ds201; one Eventide Orville; four Shep eq/mic pre; one Eventide H3000; two Focusrite isa115hd; two Lexicon pcm70; Universal Audio LA3A; one TC 22 90; one Urei Dig. Metronome; one Yamaha Rev5; two Teletronix LA2A; two MXR phaser/flanger; one Lexicon 480L; one TC finalizer; six EMT/Live Chamber Ports; two Neve 33609.

AVATAR Studios is a 31,000-square-foot multi-room facility on Manhattan's west side dedicated to providing the highest possible quality audio recording services to the recording industry. The studio houses four premier recording rooms containing Neve 8068, two SSL 9000Js and a Neve VRP. The four rooms are equipped with four ISDN lines per room and a remote recording session can set up at a moment's notice. A 24-hour facility, AVATAR also has two Pro Tools editing suites available. For booking information, please contact: Studio Manager Tino Passante at Tel: 212.765.7500, Fax: 212.765.7450, or E-mail: tino@avatarstudios.net.