Opened earlier in the year, LEC Studios offer a variety of podcast, recording and performance spaces, plus other amenities in a new creative complex in the Miami metropolitan area. The commercial recording studio is centred on a Solid State Logic Origin analogue console mounted in sculptural furniture from the Malvicino Design Group, who handled overall studio and acoustic design and system integration.
The project is the first dedicated recording studio to be built by Humberto Alvarez, CEO and founder of parent company Logistic Events Corp. (LEC). The Doral complex also encompasses a production facility, concert venue and video postproduction studio, and additionally supports the brand’s new record label initiative.
Much of the work at the recording studio is focused on developing new artists as well as also supporting established professionals, and relies on the 32-channel console and 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos monitoring,
Malvicino Design Group MD Horacio Malvicino selected the Origin for its similarity to one of SSL’s most iconic consoles: ‘I was such a huge fan of the 4k back in the day,’ he says. ‘Compared to vintage 4000-series consoles, Origin feels slightly cleaner and tighter in the low end, with a lower noise floor and more refined stereo imaging. It strikes a great balance between classic SSL punch and modern transparency rather than relying on heavy coloration. Overall, the console sounds open, punchy, clean and unmistakably SSL.’
Origin’s E Series 242 EQ is one of its highlights: ‘It has a very aggressive and musical midrange character, excellent punch and a great top-end presence. Compared to later G-series EQs, the “black knob” design feels more aggressive and characterful, which gives Origin a more authentic ‘classic SSL’ attitude without sounding overly pristine.
‘The inline architecture and routing matrix make the workflow significantly faster and more intuitive than many modern controller-and-interface set-ups,’ he continues. ‘Compared to older SSL consoles, which relied on more complicated bus assignment logic and multiple button combinations, the Origin routing matrix feels much cleaner and more efficient.’ The console’s flexibility is further enhanced by offering an insert point on both channel signal paths, he adds. ‘Most consoles that have a monitor path don’t have an insert point on the small fader.’
Like previous SSL console models, Origin’s PureDrive mic pre offers clarity and transparency, but when the Drive switch is engaged: ‘It adds harmonic density, subtle saturation, more forward midrange and a slight thickening effect,’ Malvicino says. ‘It works particularly well on vocals, bass, synths and room microphones. It’s tasteful and musical, rather than overly aggressive.’
On a typical session at LEC Studios, the DAW outputs are normalled to the Origin tape returns and large faders, while mic inputs and tracking chains are assigned to the short faders. ‘During tracking, most engineers use the console in split inline mode,’ Malvicino observes. ‘The short fader handles the input path, with the mic pre active, filters commonly engaged and EQ often applied while tracking. Inserts are frequently used for compressors, EQs, de-essers or tape simulators. The large fader is generally used for DAW playback monitoring, routed to the stereo mix bus.’
The flexibility of Origin’s subgrouping system is also useful for modern mixing workflows: ‘Typical subgroup assignments include drums, music, guitars, vocals, effects, parallel compression and stem printing. A common structure would involve dedicated drum, music, vocal and FX subgroups feeding the final mix bus.
‘Origin succeeds because it doesn’t try to simply recreate a vintage SSL console. Instead, it preserves the classic inline workflow, SSL punch, routing flexibility, analogue summing and tactile mixing experience while integrating naturally into today’s DAW-heavy, recall-based hybrid production environments. For many engineers, it represents the perfect balance between vintage console workflow and modern production practicality, all within a more manageable footprint and cost.’
The Origin was supplied by Stephen Banister at GC Pro. Horacio Malvicino and Fabiola Mena led the Malvicino Design Group team, which included studio installer Diego Mejia and system integrator Federico Petrone. Construction was by Adrian Milton and the Conacustica team.