Katara Studios installs Middle East’s first API Vision console
Published: MEA
QATAR: Katara Studios has become the first studio in the Middle East to purchase and install API’s Vision large format analogue console. The studio is currently in the configuration stage.
‘It’s very nice for us to have the first Vision console in the Middle East,’ said Ninos W Sakhria, head of music production at Qatar Media Corporation. ‘The studio is not complete yet, but I feel really happy to have it here.’
While the console was installed and commissioned towards the end of 2014, the story of the sale actually goes back further than this. ‘Several years ago we received a casual inquiry about a large format API console,’ recalled API director of sales, Dan Zimbelman. ‘It was just before a trip that I had planned to Mumbai for a show, so I offered to swing through Doha and visit the site and meet the people involved. The result of that excellent visit was the request for quotation for a large Vision console.
‘There were a couple of producer/musicians there at the time who really understood what API was, and we established a warm and cordial relationship,’ he continued. ‘At some point the consultants from Metropolis London were engaged, and we already had a good relationship with them. At the end of the day, the client was convinced that they wanted to have the Vision as it was really the only analogue solution for simultaneous mixing of stereo and surround.’
‘We looked at a variety of consoles but we wanted to try API,’ added Mr Sakhria. ‘API is well known and my colleague and I recommended very strongly that we should have the API Vision.’
Following the purchase, there was a pause in the project until the facility had been constructed. When the studio facilities were completed, the console was one of the first pieces of equipment to be installed.
‘It’s a beautiful console and after they installed it and we had an overview on it, it’s friendly and not complicated,’ said Mr Sakhria. ‘When the studio is configured we will be ready to go.’
From the API side, Mr Zimbelman is clearly happy to have such a prestigious facility as a reference project. ‘The facility has the potential to be one of the world’s most excellent recording facilities and we are honoured to be a part of it,’ he noted. ‘We believe that the facility will spark much more development throughout the Middle East region and we are excited to be a part of this with large format consoles, smaller footprint consoles like our 1608 and Box consoles, as well as mic pres, equalisers and compressor signal processing.
‘Prior to this, we have had a smattering of small console and module sales in the region,’ continued Mr Zimbelman. ‘We believe there is a demand and a presence there. We are extremely interested and enthusiastic about developing distribution and representation in the region.’