The Recording Studio London adds automation to its new Neve 8424 console
UK – Replacing a large-format vintage console with a much more compact console could have meant compromises for the team behind The Recording Studio London, especially if creating more space in the control room meant sacrificing sound quality, number of channels and automation. But luckily for the owners of the facility, there was a solution available that met all their requirements: the small format and very versatile Neve 8424 console.
Producer and artist Paul Visser (pictured), co-owner of The Recording Studio London with Joe Barboza and Dave Ferguson, says: “The 8424 is unique in its class and perfect for us. She was a no-brainer. Benefiting from the high-flying analog path combined with the very well-implemented flying fader DAW control has already been a game-changer. It reminds me of mixing on a large format console.
Spread over two retail spaces in East London, The Recording Studio London is a music recording and production company specializing in songwriting production, recording and artist development. Paul, Joe and Dave are not only producers and artists, but also members of the hit rock band Black Orchid Empire. They established the studio in 2014 and since then they haven’t looked back.
“We used to produce in other studios, but we finally decided to have our own studio”, explains Paul, who is the singer and guitarist of the group. “We now have a larger tracking, mixing and mastering studio with a live venue in Mile End and a smaller writing and production space in Star Lane. The 8424 was installed in the Mile End studio and our customers love it! The few sessions I’ve had so far have been great, and ergonomically the studio is now a much nicer place, which is a huge plus.
Designed to meet the needs of a modern hybrid studio, Neve’s 8424 console is a flexible, cost-effective centralized platform that’s super easy to use and delivers all the sonic warmth of the iconic large-format Neve 80 series. Since its launch in 2020, it has proven hugely popular with artists, producers and commercial studio owners who value its unrivaled connectivity and ability to easily bridge the worlds of analog processing and digital DAW workflows.
“The console layout and its small footprint are very well thought out and powerful without being overly complex,” says Paul. “In fact, one of the main reasons this worked as an option for us was that the preamps and EQ are external to the console. We already have an outboard for these, which means we weren’t spending money on features we didn’t need to duplicate.That said, we also ordered a Neve 1073OPX and two 1073EQLBs, which are also amazing.
Neve recently introduced an automation package for the 8424 and this, according to Paul Visser, is another reason why The Recording Studio London chose the console.
“We knew the automation package was coming and it was a big deal for us,” he says. “I’ve always wanted physical control over the In The Box mix, but I’ve never found a solution like this before. As one of the first users of the 8424 to receive the flying faders, we weren’t sure what to expect, but the functionality is great, the scribble strips are great and the faders are spot on. It’s actually better than I expected! Benefiting from the analog path combined with the very well implemented DAW control has already been a major advantage for us.
Paul adds that 8424 has now become the backbone of the entire studio setup and is already impacting his own workflow.
“I always tracked as much colored material as I could and then mixed in the ITB – the need for reminders and edits makes it more efficient,” he explains. “With the 8424 I’m definitely going to be tempted to run an analog mix bus more often and possibly sum through the desk as well. The low-end weight provided by the console is undeniable.
