Stonebridge Installs Rupert Neve Designs 5088
Located inside an 1860’s barn on a farm within the DC Metro area, Stonebridge Studios has been in continuous operation since 2006.
Complementing the live room’s classic post-and-beam construction and 21’ high ceilings is the studio’s latest addition: a 32-channel Rupert Neve Designs 5088 console loaded with Portico 5033 EQs and Shelford 5052 mic preamp / EQs, alongside a Rupert Neve Designs Master Buss Processor.
Studio owner Stuart Martin says the studio originally grew out of his life as a musician, and he places great importance on the studio’s relaxed environment. “Trees, horses, and a pond are visible from the studio, which lends itself well to the folk, jazz, rock, country and bluegrass albums that I have recorded and/or mixed here.”
Motivated by a desire to change his workflow “from a visual to a more aural approach”, Martin began his research for a new console by reading all he could, attending AES shows, and visiting many studios. “Out of the many choices of new and refurbished consoles, the 5088 offered the best combination of sonic integrity, flexible routing, expected reliability, and customizable configuration.”
“Unlike any other consoles I have had, the mix buss offers a very open sound without folding – the headroom is tremendous. I love how the console sounds. It can perform exceptoinally clean, spacious mixes – great for acoustic music – however, its most interesting sonics are encountered when pushing the mix buss. While the console offers harmonic richness with ‘buried VU meters’, the sound stage never collapses.”
The first project Martin mixed on the new console was a David Bowie tribute album featuring over 40 artists from the DC Metro area, organized by Bandhouse Gigs. “I’ve done six of these albums for this client, and they insist that this is the greatest work that I’ve done for them.”
“The 5088 is the smartest purchase I’ve made for the studio. I wish I had bought it years ago.”
Photo credits: Stuart Martin
