API 1608 delivers analogue ambition for Sydney studio

AUSTRALIA: An API 1608 console has been installed into Sydney recording facility Studio One Flight Up, fulfilling the ambition of owner Nick Irving to achieve as analogue a solution as possible. The 32-channel desk – described by Mr Irving as ‘a dream console’ – was supplied by Deb Sloss of Studio Connections Australia.

A self-proclaimed ‘analogue-minded person,’ Mr Irving works with independent singers, songwriters and musicians in the studio, which is located in a restored federation house in the Sydney suburb of Lindfield. Comprising three live rooms and a central control room, the studio houses several examples of vintage analogue outboard equipment, but Mr Irving was keen to find a new, reliable analogue console for mixing. The API 1608 – fitted with 24 550A EQs, and eight 560 EQs – was chosen in part for its modular design, coming in 16-channel sections that mean it can be expanded depending on requirements and as the studio grows into new premises.

Mr Irving is deeply enthusiastic regarding the new console, including an entire gallery of images dedicated to the desk on the studio’s website. ‘Computers make great multi-track recorders, but for the actual work of recording and mixing sessions, I need to be hands-on,’ he explained. ‘The 1608 is chock full of API's EQs and mic preamps, silky-smooth faders, nice, bright, clear LED lights in all the buttons, and full metering with the brightly-lit VU meters.’

The desk is used for both recording and mixing, while the inclusion of instrument inputs on every channel means no DI boxes are required. ‘My sounds just get better and better now that I have an API console,’ Mr Irving continued. ‘Switching the metering between input and direct out is fantastic and very useful. Having buttons to engage the insert points is also a great and useful feature. It's also great that the power supplies are quiet enough that they don't have to be housed in a separate machine room.’

Mr Irving is currently recording and collaborating on an album with Grammy award-winner Myles Heskett (formerly of Wolfmother). ‘It is proving to be lots of fun. We're really enjoying working on the API console. Everything I've done on it sounds fantastic – solid, crisp, and clear,’ he proclaimed. ‘I'll never need another console in my lifetime.’

www.apiaudio.com
www.oneflightup.com.au
www.studioconnections.com.au