The API 512c preamp, made famous by the sonic purity delivered by their legendary 2520 Op-Amp, is one of the most sought after microphone preamps available.  At House Studios we are avid users of API products and included in our vast collection of audio equipment and technology, we own a 512c, an API 3124, the Waves API Bundle and an API Lunchbox.  Our API preamps are the rock of our studio operation.  From drums to synths to electric and bass guitars, these preamps capture every sonic detail, frequency and transient put forth from a sound source.  The 512c delivers a certain bite and punch to the signal, truly allowing an instrument to cut through a dense mix with ease.  The Waves API bundle is an essential asset to the mixing process as the EQ’s are extremely musical and transparent.  It is an engineer’s dream to have the ability to add that pristine API touch to each track in a mixing session (without hogging CPU power) and API did an incredible job emulating the hardware in which the software algorithms replicate.    

Check out our review and profile piece on the API website at apiaudio.com.

As a proud owner of this sturdy, classy studio rack, we feel that it is the perfect solution to holding our outboard gear, including various preamps, compressors, etc., while providing ease of access to the controls on the equipment.  We are confident that our outboard gear is resting in a well made, professionally built case that will last for many years.  Check out our review on the Nice-Racks website at www.nice-racks.com/comments.

Purple Audio, a manufacturer of high end audio microphone preamps, eq’s and compressors, has included a review that we wrote about their Purple Biz Mk mic preamp on their website.  As a proud owner of this versatile mic pre, we feel that it produces a wide range of tones and colors that prove to be a perfect choice on everything from vocals to drums and synths.  By engaging the dual circuitry, one can dial in many tones with the gain and level parameters, obtaining a colorful, dirty tone or a pure, clean tone.  I have many preamp flavors to draw from in my rack (including API, A-Designs and Avedis), and the Purple Biz always shines!  Check out our review on the Purple Audio website at www.purpleaudio.com/Product/Biz.

The 311 Day show featured the band’s biggest stage ever.  An intricate light and laser show was enhanced by circular video screens and an in-the-round stage, where the band played to fans in the front, in the back and to the sides of them.  No matter where you were in the venue, fans were on their feet for five hours, grooving hard to 60 songs, feeling the 311 Day magic!

After the 311 Day show, the musical week in Vegas had just begun.  The following night I saw Bob Marley’s legendary Wailers perform at the Mandalay Bay beach front and wave pool.  Some of the members are originals who actually toured and recorded with Bob Marley.  They played many classics including “Waiting in Vain,” “No Woman No Cry,” and “Jammin.”  It was amazing seeing these timeless songs executed perfectly in such an authentic fashion.

The last part of my musical journey consisted of the incredible Cirque Du Soleil Beatles Love show at the Mirage hotel.  It was wonderful to see breathtaking acrobatics, technical choreography and abstract visuals to some of the most famous Beatles songs ever written.  The audio of the show was in 5.1 surround sound and they achieved this by placing left surround and right surround speakers in the head cushion of the seats.  After seeing the show, I now have an all new appreciation for the Beatles Love album, as I experienced it in such a unique fashion.

The musical experience I had in Vegas was not only enlightening, but inspirational.  I got to experience some incredible shows with my best friends and it was unanimous that everyone had a blast!  I could have easily stayed in Vegas for another 2 weeks and experienced more musical endeavors (and there were some great acts coming to Vegas shortly after I left) but I have sessions to attend to at House Studios and great music to make here in NY!

I was able to give people a tour of the rooms, explain the acoustical thought that went into the construction of the studio, show various sessions I have recorded and mixed, and answered many questions about recording and mixing services I offer. I also had several microphones on display in my live room and people were able to do some vocal recording and hear their voice through my audio signal flow chain.

I thank everyone so much for coming out to support me and House Studios. I really believe that this will be a successful endeavor and I am so grateful to have the best support team in the world from all of my friends and family. I am passionate about my client’s projects and I strive for the utmost professionalism. I look forward to working with so many diverse, talented people here at House Studios.

The competition was a success and all of the bands rocked! Most of the entries were full, electric rock ensembles, however one company, Cline Davis & Mann, entered as an a cappella group (called Bom) and arranged a rock medley consisting of The Machine by Pink Floyd and Enter Sandman by Metallica. The winner of Pharmapalooza II was Bom a cappella group! They received an LP with my logo and information on it and when they are ready, they are welcome to record at House Studios. It was a true honor to get involved with such a good cause and to be able to network and promote my business at such a legendary venue. I look forward to working with Bom in the near future.

I remember listening to the distinct tones of about 6 different, very expensive Neumann microphones. There are not too many places where one can really feel, hear and experience the gear like AES. I also remember learning about a new 500 series Obsidian 2-Buss Compressor. I have used the rackmount version of this stereo compressor many times on drums, guitar busses and of course, the stereo buss.

Being a huge fan of 500 series modules, I thought this would be the coolest thing to fill in the last 2 spots of my API Lunchbox. I found it so amazing to be able to approach the people who actually designed and built the equipment that I use in my studio. Everyone was very friendly and willing to discuss their products and their competitive advantages.

AES was a great networking event and I handed out many business cards and let people know of the near opening of my studio. I left with a ton of literature, brochures and magazines. It was definitely an educational and inspiring event that made me feel part of an incredible community of very talented people.

I met with Frank Comentale for a consultation and we began studio construction on July 27th, 2009. What was originally intended to be a 6 week build out, we are approaching 3 months now and the studio is about 90% finished. No one can possibly imagine the amount of work and curve balls that are involved with building a recording studio.

Everything must be taken into account to build an acoustically sound structure including air conditioning vents, electrical, ceilings, special doors, parallel walls, studio lighting, etc. The floors at House Studios are comprised of 5 different layers. The walls are massive and multi-layered as well. A recording studio is much more than a sound proofed room…it is a finely tuned instrument.

Only an acoustic expert and studio designer can accomplish a task like this and do it right. I almost made the mistake of having a regular carpenter build the studio and I now know, after having experienced all of the variables involved with this project, that there is no way it could have been done with the craftsmanship and precision of Frank. Everything he does is extremely custom.

There is still much work to be done after he finishes the construction before doors are officially open for business. This includes carpeting, painting, getting nice furniture for the studio and moving in all of the audio equipment.

The fabric colored panels just went up in the control and live rooms and it looks great! I can not wait for my clients to see it. House Recording Studios will truly be an ideal place for artists to feel at home and let their creativity flow in a serene and comfortable environment.