Ar-Ton Studio uses Matrix and X-racks to construct compact L studio

AR-TON STUDIO USES MATRIX AND 12 X-RACKS TO CONSTRUCT COMPACT SSL STUDIO Matrix is a perfect solution. A great-sounding console, ideal for those with a lot of outboard. MAZOVIA, POLAND - Solid State Logic, the world's leading manufacturer of creative tools for audio professionals, is proud to highlight one of the most comprehensive compact studios we have seen. In creating Ar-Ton Studio owner Artur G bocki has combined an SSL Matrix mixing console with no less than twelve fully loaded X-Racks, two Mynx chassis's and a full SSL Alpha-Link I/O system and an impressive collection of analogue hardware from other manufacturers to create a superb compact studio with 32 full channels of SSL analogue hardware at its heart. AR-TON is Artur's vision of the best mixing and mastering facility in central Europe.

When starting the project in 2010, my goal was to own a studio exactly where I live, so I adapted the ground floor of my house, Artur explains. The idea was to combine two kinds of studios - mixing and mastering - into a single room, so I asked my friend Ryszard Szmit, a widely-valued recording engineer in Poland, for help. He made all the necessary calculations for the room. I simply followed his recommendations. There are no right angles and the materials used were carefully selected. Additionally, a machine room was designed to accommodate all the power and cooling devices.

Room complete, Artur set about filling his acoustically accurate but relatively small workspace floor to ceiling with an eye-popping and ear-opening combination of new and classic, digital and analogue outboard devices dedicated to the mixing and mastering processes. Some are not racked, though their owner insists this is intentional to avoid a negative influence of acoustics. The room isn't very big, so I had to apply this kind of layout. The most important thing for me is to be working in good conditions from a sonic point of view.

Sonically speaking, it doesn't get any better than SSL as far as Artur is concerned: I just love the SSL sound, hence my choice. I wanted my studio to have 32 full SSL channels, so the Matrix is a perfect solution. It's a great-sounding console, and the software patching system makes it perfect for those with a lot of outboard equipment. My Matrix has X-Rack modules on the first 16 channels and there are also X-Rack modules on the 16 ALT inputs. The remaining buses are hooked up with other units, which are then summed using the 8 Line Input and Master Modules in a Mynx chassis if a session requires it, so this gives me 96 inputs on a small console.

In creating those 32 full SSL channels, Artur's need for filling multiple X-Racks becomes clear, starting with 32 x VHD Input Modules, complemented by four Alpha VHD four-channel mic pre rack units: The VHD pre-amps add extra character - even if a line signal is run through a VHD Input Module it sounds different in the mix, while the Alpha VHD gives a completely different sound - ultra-clear, transparent, and very dynamic, which can also be enriched with the VHD technology by adding harmonics.

Of course, any self-respecting SSL channel would not be complete without channel EQ and here, too, AR-TON does not disappoint with 32 x Stereo EQ Modules playing their part in the musical proceedings. These equalisers are number one for me, their proud owner states simply. There is no way they can mess up the sound. You can create any given type of sound with them.

And there's more, 32 x X-Rack Dynamics Modules, to be precise: The situation here is the same as with the pre-amps and equalisers. Although I must admit that I often mix my SSL pre-amps or equalisers with a compressor from another manufacturer, I always use my SSL compressors for drums. They are perfect for that.

What role does AR-TON's single SSL XLogic G Series Compressor play, then? It's a great compressor, which beautifully gels the sum mix together. I always make sure it's hooked up the moment I start working on a mix, because it gives me more control of the sound.

Artur completes his SSL sonic portfolio with Alpha-Link audio converters: I use two Alpha-Link AXs and one Alpha-Link SX. SSL convertors. They are very convenient, because of the amount of inputs, outputs, and the sound they offer, in my opinion, doesn't get any better within this price range.

With affordable rates that bely the quality level of the Aladdin's cave of analogue hardware within, one thing is clear: with more than a little help from SSL, we think Artur G bocki has succeeded in creating a leading candidate for the best-equipped compact mixing and mastering studio in Central Europe.

More about Ar-Ton Studio: www.ar-ton.com

LINK:	http://www.solid-state-logic.com/news/article.asp?ID=530&T=M...
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