New Additions: Virtual and Real

New Panel in Control Room

We've recently added an immersive virtual tour of the studio! Max Coomer, from StudioVisa.com is the man behind these visual pieces of 360 degree eye candy. We ended up photographing six different areas around the studio:
The Control Room, Piano Room, Drum Room, Kitchen / Lounge, Red Room, and the Front Hallway.

One thing you won't see in our new virtual tour is a brand new guest tie line panel in the control room. Now it's easier than ever for an engineer to bring in a rack full of their own gear and integrate it with our studio.

There are 12 XLR inputs and outputs that go directly to our redesigned patchbay. Two custom-made harnesses are ready to interface with our clients' gear. The panel also includes two elco connections for our headphone stations.

Special thanks to Darren Redfield and his wiring skills that made this a reality. He was also responsible for building and staining the wood box that the panel is mounted in. It's a thing of beauty, and a major improvement to the studio.

Nuts and Bolts, Odds and Ends, Hot and Cold

Front Numbers

We've been busy putting the finishing touches on several projects around the recording studio. It's been a massive push to get all these things done before the end of summer...almost made it.

It was about a year ago that Vibe56 hosted an open house to celebrate the official opening of it's doors. The first year of any business is important, and that was no different here.

To the studio's benefit, we've seen a wide range of different projects come through. Dozens of mix sessions and even more overdub sessions helped us fine-tune our control room, plug-ins and equipment. The many full-on tracking sessions with a full compliment of A-list session players has helped us gear-up with plenty of microphone cables, talkback switches, headphone stations, patchbay cables, and tie-lines.

Best of all, we've made a lot of friends in our first year. Our clients have come from just about every conceivable genre; country, rock, gospel, bluegrass...they have all chimed in under our roof. A couple of weeks ago we even recorded a 20-piece choir.

Our list of clients continues to grow, and we're very proud to have such a lengthy list in just a one-year period.

Thanks to everyone that has given us a chance to prove ourselves as a rock-solid studio.

Paving The Way

Our Asphalt
...is your asphalt

Although we claim to be "Rockin' the Row", until recently, we were also rocking the parking lot. We've paved our entire parking lot with asphalt to make it easier for everyone to put a little "roll" into the rocking going on inside our recording studio.

All of the local instrument cartage companies have certainly given their collective thumbs up to our latest improvement. Imagine rolling a 400-pound Hammond B3 organ over gravel.

We've actually got a lot of little improvement projects like this underway. It was great to finally be able to put a check-mark next to "Pave Parking Lot".

In addition to paving the studio's parking lot, we also completed the driveway that now exists between our studio and the building next door (54 Music Square West). I've already almost been killed twice by people zooming up this driveway from 17th Ave. Good times.

You can view the photos taken before, during and after the paving project. It's an amazing transformation actually. There's a slideshow available via this link that shows the entire process from gravel to asphalt.

Vibe56 To Host Audio One ProTools 7.2 Clinic

Audio One presents a Pro-Tools 7.2 Clinic.

Come experience the power of Pro Tools HD 7.2 software. With a dramatically enhanced feature set — including the industry’s most comprehensive automation, extended video capabilities, revolutionary new workflows with multichannel field recorders, built-in dubber/stem recorder functionality, and the new SignalTools DigiRack™ metering plug-in — Pro Tools HD 7.2 is the indispensable upgrade for your Pro Tools|HD® system or ICON integrated console. Pro Tools HD 7.2 introduces a wealth of new features and enhancements designed in direct response to feedback from mixing and post professionals who use Digidesign systems every day.

When:
September 29th, 2006 at 6pm

Where:
Vibe56 Studio
56 Music Square West
Nashville, TN
Google Map



Please RSVP:
Audio One: (615) 341-0056

Hope to see you there…

(un)Balancing Out The Buzz

Headphone Guy
...head not included

We were finally able to nail down a hum problem that was present in our headphone stations. It was an amazingly frustrating problem to tackle, and we're very thankful to be on the other side of it now.

Initially we had considered the usual suspect of grounding issues related to power. After ground-lifting everything in the studio, it made no difference whatsoever. We also isolated the ground paths for the three separate styles of outlets we have in the studio.

We have seven headphone stations that allow each musician to maintain their own mix while tracking. Each station consists of a 12-channel mixer and an amplifier. If the piano player wants more acoustic guitar in his (or her) headphone mix, it's as simple as raising a single fader. Generally each musician wants to hear more of themselves, so this kind of set-up is often referred to as a "more-me" system.

The 12-channel mixers that we use for each headphone station consist of 4 mono channels and 4 stereo channels. The inputs for the mono channels are balanced, while the inputs for the stereo channels are unbalanced. The buzz we were experiencing was due to the fact that we were taking a balanced output (from ProTools) and trying to feed it into the unbalanced inputs of those stereo channels.

We purchased an 8-channel Hum Eliminator (stupid obvious product name) for each headphone station, and re-wired each station to incorporate it. These units are designed for taking an unbalanced signal and turning it into a true balanced signal. We needed it to do the exact opposite, so we hooked it up in reverse so that it was taking an balanced signal and making it unbalanced.

The end result is that the hum and buzz in our headphone system is gone. Mission accomplished.

Many thanks to John "Massey" Rohrer of Invisible Man Media Services for his help in tackling this issue.

Music Row Magazine

Music Row Magazine 08/06
...it's got CJ inside!

The August edition of Music Row magazine features studios, producers and engineers. I was honored to be among a select few of Nashville's "recording professionals" to be asked some pretty tough questions regarding the studio business in general. I have to admit it took me a couple of days to formulate some answers.

The article itself is organized by presenting the question and then displaying selected answers from each professional. Here are the questions and my answers:

1. What's the biggest issue facing your studio's economic survival today?
Investing in the right technologies. When resources are limited, selecting the right gear is crucial. Studio equipment is as much of an investment as the studio itself is.

2. Is the MP3 and its reduced audio quality a thorn in your side?
The fact that 44.1 kHz is still the audio standard is what's frustrating. We're sitting here working with $3000 mic pre's and the ability to do 192k on the digital recording side of things. The CD quality standard is woefully overdue for an update. We've barely progressed past the wax cylinder stage of digital audio. MP3s that are properly converted at a higher quality bit-rate are virtually indistinguishable from their CD counterparts.

3. Are you losing potential clients because they are at home using Garageband or another low-cost home recording software?
Home recording has become a part of the process. I've talked with several home studio owners that appreciate the opportunity to work in a commercial facility where they can concentrate on the project and not have to keep reminding everyone to jiggle the toilet handle. We provide an environment where creativity is king, and try to stay out of it's way.

4. What is the future for recording studios in Nashville?
A recording studio is a service business. You simply can't have sustained success without satisfied clients walking in and out of your door. That aspect tends to weed out studios that aren't being driven by a sincere appreciation for music and the process of creating it. Clients are looking for efficiency, and a limited budget demands it.

5. Has country music's sales growth trickled down to your bottom line? Why?
Growth in any part of the music industry will ideally help support all the other links in the chain. Obviously, if the record companies are making more money, that's more money they can invest in new talent. Investing a reasonable percentage of the profits back into what you've done to make those profits in the first place is usually pretty sound advice.

6. Do you believe that DRM (digital rights management) is a long term solution for the music industry?
DRM and it's implementation is still evolving, and will continue to evolve in some form to remain valid. Those that are truly determined to get around protected media are going to remain determined. Digital media should be protected enough to be an effective deterrent and to make it clear that it is indeed protected.

7. What is your favorite color?
I'm quite fond of green.

Well, they didn't really ask me that last question, but I thought it was important.

Vibe56 Hosts Pro Audio Video Podcast

There's a new video podcast out there for the pro audio enthusiast. Sonic Valentine, hosted by Scott Velazco and Ben Stano, is an entertaining glimpse into the world of recording engineers.

We jumped at the chance to host episode #3 of a podcast that is rapidly gaining a devoted audience of like-minded audio geeks. It's a must-see for anyone looking to learn more about recording engineers.

Scott Velazco and Ben Strano
...hosts of Sonic Valentine

Taking advantage of their surroundings for this particular episode, Scott and Ben review control surfaces such as our own Digidesign D-Command. As with every review so far, it's a frank and honest look, with no BS filters. That will probably change when they get sponsors and free gear.

This episode also features a shootout between Universal Audio's new 1073 Plug-in and a real Neve 1073, which they forget to mention we have eight of. Actually we have three 1073's, two 1066's, two 1084's, and one 31102. I digress...

A regular feature in the video podcast is "Guitar Gods of MySpace". This segment brings forth hilariously bad guitarists and is often accompanied by Scott and Ben's own tongue-in-cheek music video. This episode features a guy named Bobby, and the accompanying video hints at the close relationship between the Sonic Valentine hosts.

This video podcast is available for free from the iTunes Music Store. As entertaining as this podcast is, you should be aware there is some harsh language, partial nudity, and the hosts are admittedly drunk.

They don't have any weapons, but they are armed...with the truth.

Plug It In!

SSL E-Channel

We've recently installed some additional plug-ins for our ProTools system here at the studio. It's tough selecting which plug-ins to purchase, as there are plenty of them out there we'd like to have on our system.

One of my most frequent questions to the revolving door of engineers that work here is what plug-ins they can't live without. The only thing consistent in their answers has been that no two were exactly the same. A few were mentioned by multiple engineers and quickly found their way on top of our list of plug-ins to get.

The Waves SSL 4000 Bundle was first on the list. As a former studio tech in Hollywood, I've changed out upwards of 200 switches on the real thing. It really takes me back to see these channel strips, EQs, and compressors. It's weird to see them without Hennessy stains splashed across the EQ section. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no one brings in a Bernoulli disk. There's gotta be a hack out there to get the little chirping sounds of the 4K computer when you type. I've got some Neve jokes too, so you can look forward to that.

At one point in my experiences, I assisted John Lutrelle in manufacturing a SSL compressor and installing it in a Neve VR 72-channel console. So, if you are in Westlake Audio's Studio D, that's what the little "JL" in the bottom-right corner of the meter means. That is, if it is still in there and didn't blow up or something. If it did blow up, well, that's a "JL" and not a "CJ" on that meter. If it's still there...the whole thing was really my idea.

Getting back on track... We've just installed the Line 6 Echo Farm plug-in as well. This thing is way cooler than any text describing it can be. I will say the Maestro Echoplex modeling alone is worth the price of the plug-in. From the Digidesign website: Echo Models based on: Maestro Echoplexes, Roland RE-101 Space Echo, Boss DM-2, Electro-Harmonix Memoryman, TC Electronics 2290, plus Lo Res Delay, Filter-Sweep Echo, and more. Suffice to say that these delays have enough meat on them to make vegetarians think twice before using them.

Installing SoundBlender was our more economical answer to having the types of effects typically associated with the Eventide H3000. From time to time, when I was working for Westake Audio we would put a H3000 in-line with the building's paging system. At completely random times, we would take it out of bypass mode and hear the receptionist announce a phone call on line two as though she had taken a big hit of helium. I understand the H3000 was also very useful in the studio. From the Soundtoys website: Pulled from the classic Eventide H3000 and DSP4000 that our engineers created, this is an extremely versatile, professional, multi-effect processor. Already used by top audio engineers, guitarists, sound designers, and remixers, SoundBlender lets you have that pro sound for your mixes, too. Dual Delay, pitch-shifting, filters, chorus, flange, intelligent pitch-shifting and more.

For those of you playing the home-version of the game, our list of plug-ins is now as follows:

Access Virus Indigo
Auto-Tune 4
Bruno/Reso
Cosmonaut Voice
D-Fi
Fairchild 660
Fairchild 670
Focusrite d2/d3
Impact
JOEMEEK SC2 Compressor
JOEMEEK VC5 Meequalizer
Line 6 Amp Farm HD
Line 6 Echo Farm
Maxim
McDSP FilterBank HD
McDSP MC2000 HD
Moogerfooger 12-Stage Phaser
Moogerfooger Analog Delay
Moogerfooger Lowpass Filter
Moogerfooger Ring Modulator
Purple Audio MC77
Reverb One
ReVibe (of course)
SansAmp PSA-1
Smack!
Sonic NoNoise
SoundBlenderHD
SoundReplacer
Synchronic
Tel-Ray Variable Delay
The Forte Suite
Voce Chorus/Vibrato
Voce Spin
Waves 5.0
Waves SSL Bundle

I can't believe I made it through this post without one Glade joke. Well, almost.

Post Open House Mystery

Hallway

The open house held here at the studio last weekend was a great success. It coincided with the Songwriter's Festival here on Music Row, so we got to play host to a multitude of songwriters and artist hopefuls. Many new friends were made over those two days.

As I gave tours and showed off our studio, I also answered a lot of sometimes bizarre questions too. I think my favorite question was who the lady was in the etched glass window that separates the drum room and the front hallway.

Etched Glass Lady

So I guess that means we've got a mystery on our hands: Who is the woman depicted in the etched glass? I really don't know much about the history of this building. I do know that it was supposedly built in 1911, but I have no idea if the glass is original. I doubt that it is original, since it appears that the glass was put up in a previously existing doorway. I've been told that this place was once a hair salon before Brown Bannister turned it into a studio. After that it was home to a publishing company called BME.

How cool would it be if this blog reached out to someone that can answer this mystery? Well, I'll tell you, it would be very cool.

The Landscape Before Time

Landcape (after)

In the music business, having a "golden ear" is considered a good thing. Unfortunately, there are times when a "green thumb" is also necessary. I don't profess to have either, but what I do have is often referred to as a "sore back".

We've been busy with the landscaping surrounding our studio for the past couple of weeks. I guess it'll always be a work-in-progress, but we've progressed a lot in that time. We've got several new plants and what looks like a small Christmas tree planted below our front porch. If only the neighbor's dog would stop leaving presents around the Christmas tree...

Here's a picture of what things looked like around our front sign before we got started with overhauling our outside vegetation. (Pimp my garden?) At one point I had suggested we purchase concrete statues in the shape of bushes and plants. It turns out those are really expensive. We continue to struggle with a couple of bushes in the front yard that appear to be half-dead. I've been applying what I understand to be plant medication to them, so it's a waiting game to see if they'll pull through. I could always cut-off the dead parts and tell people it's a bush-sculpture of Pac-man, or a pie chart.

The push for the extra shine to our studio is in part motivated by the Songwriter's Festival coming up this weekend. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, Vibe 56 will be open for anyone interested in checking out our facilities. We'll be here from 10 to 6 on both Saturday and Sunday (17th and 18th), and would love to give you a tour of our (now even more) beautiful studio.

For more information on this year's Songwriter's Festival please visit:
www.songwritersfestival.com

Hope to see you there. I mean here. Whatever.

...and please don't mention the bushes, especially if they are made out of concrete by that time.

What Console Problem?

What Console Problem?

Last summer, Vibe 56 installed one of the first Digidesign D-Command consoles in the Nashville area. Having had experiences with only analog consoles in the past (SSL, Neve....the usual suspects), I wasn't sure what to expect from this "big mouse".

From a maintenance perspective, it really couldn't be simpler. I'm still getting used to downloading a file, rather than pulling up the master section to address the very few issues we've had with this console.

The most major issue we've experienced was an intermittent talkback button, that was addressed by upgrading the firmware in the XMON - which is the interface between the console and the rest of the world. That's certainly a different fix than having to replace the burned-out bulb in the Neve talkback button. (or was that the monitor selector that wouldn't work when a bulb burned out on a Neve?)

We recently stamped-out a really minor, intermittent problem with the pan knobs on channels 12 and 14 (or 4 and 6 on the middle fader bank). Digidesign simply came and swapped out the circuit board that the knobs were attached to. The most time-consuming part was pulling the console out of the desk, which really wasn't all that difficult. It was actually kinda cool to finally have a repair that required more than hooking up a firewire drive.

So, now that the board is 100% I guess it must be about time to upgrade something else around here. Where's that plug-in that makes a 57 sound like it's a Telefunken U47?

Songwriter Fest / Vibe 56 Open House

June 17-18 2006
Vibe 56 Open House!

Mark your calendars!

Vibe 56 has registered to participate in the upcoming Nashville Songwriter's Festival taking place in just a few weeks. Our doors will be open to anyone interested in checking out the vibe of our facility.

Myself and associates of the studio will be on hand from 10am to 6pm both Saturday and Sunday to give a tour and answer any questions about our recording studio.

More information about the festival can be found at the Nashville Songwriter's Festival website: www.songwritersfestival.com

Vibe on the Row

Vibe on the Row

A minor hard drive crash took most of the photos I had lined up for this blog a couple of weeks ago. Actually, I don't think there's any such thing as a "minor" hard drive crash.

We're busy springing into summer mode here on Nashville's music row. Should I capitalize "Music Row"? I probably should since it's such an important part of that whole "Music City" nickname that Nashville has.

We've had a flurry of clients through our doors and I'll have some pictures posted soon.

CAD Ad

CAD Ad

Vibe 56 Studio owner Tony Harrell graces the current ad for CAD microphones.

"I love the e300! Great top end, with a smooth response. The e100's are great as a pair for acoustic stereo imaging."
- Tony Harrell - producer / 1st call Nashville session keyboardist

Rusty McFarland, who mixed the bed music for the CMA's here at Vibe 56, is also featured in the ad.

Another frequent visitor to the studio, Pat Buchanan, completes the Vibe-trifecta in this particular advertisement. Pat is a 1st call Nashville session guitarist. He's also toured with Hall and Oates, so his kiss is on my list.

Naturally, we have serveral CAD microphones here at the studio. We have a pair of e100's, a pair of e300's, the tube-powered M9, and more on the way!

Special thanks to CAD representative Tony O'Keefe!

It's A Vibration!

CJ Wants U
...to spell it out already.

This would be a lot more exciting if I wasn't starting this blog to completely skirt the issue of the fact that I am helpless with the style sheets.

What are Style Sheets?


My name is CJ Sorg and I'm the studio manager for Vibe 56, a recording studio on Nashville's music row. I take care of the studio in general, including all the booking and trash taking outing.

Thankfully, I've got a song here for us to kick off the festivities, as we metaphorically break a champagne bottle against the bow of this blog vessel.

It's called, "Vibration" - and you should do it!

Vibration ( mp3 / 5.3MB / 3:49 )

That song is on one of the many demo CDs that show up at the studio on a regular basis. I'll post some more of the highlights from time to time, or at least until I get served with a cease and desist letter.

You can actually email those, and any other questions, comments, suggestions, and corrections to me at cj@vibe56.com.

Although we're trying to have a bit of fun with this, Vibe 56 is serious business with regards to being a great creative environment for recording and mixing professional audio. The studio is located in the heart of Nasville's music row, and is the perfect place for full band tracking, overdubs, and mixing.

The studio itself got rolling during the summer of 2005. 36 years too late for Bryan Adams to include a verse about it in his song. On October 27, 2005, Vibe 56 celebrated with a open-house party. Soon after, Nashville's audio elite started trickling through our doors.

We've been extremely fortunate to have already hosted many sessions with an amazing span of songwriters, producers, engineers, and top-tier session players.

I'm really happy that that interview at Lowe's didn't go so well.