Ardent Studios has renovated all four rooms at its historic facility in Memphis over the past three years and recently completed the installation of a 48-channel Solid State Logic Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue mixing console in Studio B. One of the two original rooms at the Madison Avenue location, Studio B has long been a favourite of Ardent’s most notable clients and offers the facility’s largest control room.
‘We chose the Duality Fuse to enhance our production capabilities and efficiency,’ states Ardent Studios CEO, Mark Danger. ‘The console’s advanced automation and routing features allow seamless transition from mixing and working in the analogue domain to DAW control and in-the-box production. The Duality has enhanced productivity without the necessity for workaround solutions.’
The new Studio B set-up is optimised for the needs of today’s producers and engineers, as Danger says: ‘We’ve observed a clear trend in music production: artists and producers are increasingly comfortable working in their personal studios. However, they seek an acoustically optimised environment equipped with a large-format console to record and mix without any compromise.
‘It gives users the capability to seamlessly transfer their DAW automation onto the console through SSL’s exceptional Delta Control plug-in or traditional SSL automation, while simultaneously allowing for in-the-box work with its integrated DAW control, all at the touch of a button,’ he continues. ‘The Duality empowers users with the best of both hybrid and traditional analogue mixing approaches, offering dual SuperAnalogue and Variable Harmonic Drive mic pres, and SSL dynamics processing on every channel, as well as providing extremely flexible routing options and insert points to utilise all our available outboard gear, if desired.’
Established in 1959, Ardent has long been on the leading edge of audio technology having been the first facility in the American South to operate 4-track recorders and use EMT plate reverbs. It was also among the first US studios to adopt 3M M56 16-track machines, Dolby A301 units and the MCI 24-track tape machine. Following the most recent upgrades, Studio B’s control room is also now outfitted with Dolby Atmos mixing and monitoring capabilities.
The multi-room complex has a long history with SSL. ‘This year also marks a special milestone for Ardent Studios – our fortieth anniversary of working with Solid State Logic,’ Danger asys. During the past four decades, Ardent has been home to 6000 and 9000 series consoles as well as a Duality SE, now replaced with the new Duality Fuse.
‘This Duality Fuse embodies the latest advancements in a well-established industry standard that has been trusted ever since the original Duality console was launched,’ he adds. ‘Any initial uncertainties about its sound compared to the classic SSL sonic footprint were completely dispelled following SSL’s impressive on-site demonstration. To us, it sounds like a 9000 with modern features and much easier automation to operate. The desk also has a great footprint; you don’t need to stand up to reach the bus controls, for example.’
‘We proudly hold the record for the quietest noise floor of a Duality installed anywhere in the world. We look forward to continuing our legacy of sonic excellence and technological innovation with this incredible new addition.’
While some revere older consoles, Danger otherwise: ‘We don’t miss them at all. We would rather have happy clients and less downtime. Because people now use DAWs and desks in a hybrid workflow, some features of the classic consoles – which were not expected to last for so many decades – have become outdated and simply increase maintenance.’
It makes sense, then, to buy a new console, he contends: ‘And Solid State Logic offers the best service and support of any console manufacturer.’