MediaPros recently supplied and installed a new recording studio for world-renowned music producer Stephen Street, who's credits includes Kaiser Chiefs, Blur, and The Smiths to name only a few.
The new studio is based around an Avid Pro Tools|HD3 system and features an Audient Zen mixing console with DAW control - “I wanted an analogue console with facilities forDAW control,” explains Street. “I was well aware of the quality of Audient desks having used one at the last studio that Cenzo Townsend and I shared at Olympic. Zen features a similar dual-input design to the ‘big’ consoles, with both DAW sends and returns handled throughthe same channel strip. A demo was sorted out at MediaPros and after ten minutes I knew it would be right for me.”
After a few short weeks with his Zen, Street continues to be satisfied. "I like the way it provides balanced inserts for users to plug in their own external processors. I also lovethe stereo bus compressor built into the Zen’s master section that can help to ‘glue’ a mix together,” he enthuses.
“I’m now able to enjoy the advantages of Pro Tools DAW music mixing with complete recall and plug-in processing, but then use vintage analogue processing for the final balance.Individual track elements are more present than when mixed “in the box” - they seem to have more ‘air’ around them.”
Street has been spending his time working on several unsigned acts this year, most recently The Funeral Suits from Dublin. “There seem to be so many great bands around these days, who 5 years ago would have a deal no problem.”
Street's Zen is currently based in his home studio, where he uses it along with an API 'Lunch Box' with some EQ. With his move into a new studio room scheduled for October, size and ease of use were strong factors in his choice of desk. “The Zen was extremely easy to set up, and the manual is very well written and clear which is a nice bonus.
“Overall it sounds clean and transparent. I've not had chance to use the mic amps yet, but if they're anything like the ASP8024 desk I had in the Bunker, then I'll be happy.”
Street also remarked on why he chooses MediaPros as his regular supplier “Whenever I'm on the lookout to purchase any Professional Audio equipment my first port of call is Andy Brooks at Media Pros. Andy always manages to understand exactly what I need without any unnecessary additions, and then on delivery, his team including the ever reliable Yan Gilbert-Miguet make sure that everything is working fine. This is incredibly important to me as I don't want to get hung up on whether a particular software program is loaded correctly or not I just want to get on on with recording! – On service and delivery, MediaPros are hard to beat”.
For further information please visit the Stephen Street Website and the Audient Website