Studio report May 07

[Hot _Grits]

Okay, I've been busy in the studio recording basics for the 2nd Hot Grits record. This time we tracked live to 2in tape through the studio's new 70s Neve console (formerly Cesar Rosas' desk). Here's some shots (apologies for the varying quality of the pics):

Lab Studios engineer and overall top guy Olly Harmer with the amp haul (l-r: silverface twin, victoria double deluxe, NZ-made 60s Jansen b***man 50 on a custom 8x10, Mesa Blue Angel on 2x12 with V30s, silverface champ and B*** 10, Ampeg reverberocket ri, Vintage Electar, Marshall Jubillee 25/50, NZ-made SS Mustang reverb 30):

My Victoria deluxe and Blue Angel in battle formation, with the studio's 70s LP deluxe w/duncans:

Reverend Flatroc:

NZ-made Ash Customworks guitar (all local woods):

60s Hofner:

Old faithful: 70s tele custom ri:

The rack:

Tape, sweet tape:

Cesar's old Neve:

 

[Curly]

Re: Studio report May 07

looks like a great arsenal!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Studio report May 07

Amazing seeing all that equipment in one place -- and actually being put to use!

Send clips, if you can.

- Keith

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Studio report May 07

Cool pics. It's sure nice to work in a studio like that one, where you can do your thing and let someone else handle all the technical stuff.

Cesar Rosas is one helluva gear nut. I always see highend gear being sold 'once owned by Cesar.' At least he has good taste!

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Studio report May 07

Cool pics. It's sure nice to work in a studio like that one, where you can do your thing and let someone else handle all the technical stuff.

Cesar Rosas is one helluva gear nut. I always see highend gear being sold 'once owned by Cesar.' At least he has good taste!

True, that man has solid taste. That 70s neve desk is a thing of beauty. The studio replaced an 80s neve console with it, and Olly showed me the difference between the channel strips. The 70s channel strips are absolute works of art, some of the finest hand wiring I've ever seen.

The really amazing part of this last session has been going straight through the desk to tape. In the past we used pro tools for speed, and then sent the tracks out individually to tape. That's better than no tape, but hitting a tape machine hard right from the start is a beautiful thing. We set the tape machine up so that it really pushes into the red and the natural compression and crunch is amazing. It's the only way to get that old sound.

But it helps to have the right guy behind the desk. Olly has done four sessions with us, so he's now perfectly used to our weird, non-industry standard requests. I've been in other studio situations where the engineer is so far up the modern, pro tools recording path that there's no room to move at all. Olly gets what we're trying to achieve, and it seems like every time I visit he has some cool, ancient piece of gear to help with the process...

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Studio report May 07

Meanwhile, at a secure location in another part of town, The Defendants are recording basics for an August release. This is the other end of the spectrum: take over our bass player's lounge, set up pro tools, make amp forts and record some rock'n'roll live as a four piece. For FREE! (thanks to producer Jimmy Xmas, assistant Vaughan, and Ryan at www.customaudioboutique.co.nz):

The amp fort: three couches (sofas to many of you), some wood, a bunch of blankets, and a Matamp Series 2000 reissue atop a Greenback-loaded Matamp 1x12.

The series 2000 is Matamp's original design, and as Ryan likes to put it, it's a great example of when 'the rules' of what an amp should do and look like hadn't quite been finalised. It's one of the nicest EL34 amps I've played, and surprisingly high gain for the era. One of 60 in the world.

The pedals: A Catalinbread silver kiss and super chili picoso, and MI Audio Boost'n'buff , and a couple of other guys that didn't end up making the session:

 

[Curly]

Re: Studio report May 07

I always enjoy your gear, Grits ... I think we have some similar tastes.

it's funny to see what looks like a Navajo rug in NZ though.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Studio report May 07

I always enjoy your gear, Grits ... I think we have some similar tastes.

it's funny to see what looks like a Navajo rug in NZ though.

Yeah, I'm sure we'd be right at home playing each others' rigs. There's no way either of us is going to be toting an LTD and a Peavey XXX halfstack anytime soon...

I'm lucky enough to know a few people that have some nice stuff, so I'm able to call some favours in when it's rekkid-makin' time.

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Studio report May 07

Nice Matamp!

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Studio report May 07

Hell, all that vintage studio stuff gets me excited.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Studio report May 07

Sick, bro. Takes me back... dad was an engineer in NYC from the '50s to the '00s. He chased it all the way from Webcor wire recorders to CEDAR and Sonic Solutions, and he's doing his songwriter demos on Magic now! But he's still got a Tascam 8-track in the corner, and an Editall splicing block.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Studio report May 07

Sick, bro. Takes me back... dad was an engineer in NYC from the '50s to the '00s. He chased it all the way from Webcor wire recorders to CEDAR and Sonic Solutions, and he's doing his songwriter demos on Magic now! But he's still got a Tascam 8-track in the corner, and an Editall splicing block.

Too cool. I'm aching to get an 8 track tape machine.

Dig the sig. One of my all time favorite tracks...

"...and now we'll need a pound of fatback drums..."

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Studio report May 07

Nice Matamp!

To be honest, it's the only Matamp that's really grabbed me. I hold out hope that they do another run at some point, perhaps without quite as much attention to detail, such as custom moulding the knobs.

Apparently the first 40 or so sold immediately, and they still have about 20 left. I believe you have to buy the cab and reverb unit as well, though, which makes it a seriously expensive proposition...

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Studio report May 07

Well, speak to the guys at the factory, they'll do pretty much anything.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Studio report May 07

Well, speak to the guys at the factory, they'll do pretty much anything.

Word is they're clamping down a bit. They now make a distinction between 'custom' and 'special' order, so some things can be asked for with no upcharge, but anything too crazy is now a special order with upcharges. I'm guessing business sense is finally catching up with them.

I'm also told their tolex/vinyl supplier has gone bust, so certain colours are a no-go from now on. Other colours are still available, and I believe they can buy certain coverings from Marshall. So, for example, a red Matamp is an easy ask.

But, yeah, the days of matamp doing 'anything' are numbered. At least at previous costs and wait times...