Sweetwater Studios Upgrade Now Complete With Rupert Neve Designs 5088 Analog Mixing Console

Photo Credit: Sweetwater

Sweetwater Studios has completed an array of upgrades to its flagship Studio A. The biggest new addition is a customized Rupert Neve Designs 5088 Analog Mixing console as its centerpiece. Studio A’s renovations have allowed for a re-imagining of the workflow and layout for artists and producers.

The following was created in collaboration with Sweetwater, a proud partner of Digital Music News.

This 32-input console is fully-loaded with Rupert Neve Designs 5052 Mic Preamp & Inductor EQ and 5051 Inductor EQ & Compressor modules, bringing high-end analog sound and hands-on control to the recording experience. “Having a tactile experience means that we can grab an EQ or fader and stay focused on the music and the creative process,” explains Shawn Dealey.

Sweetwater Studios opened in 2007 and has built a reputation for having an artist-friendly creative clubhouse. The studio’s staff of skilled engineers and session musicians are on hand alongside a vast trove of musical equipment for the creation of a diverse recording sound. Some of the artists who have recorded at the studio include Bootsy Collins, Anthrax, Jared James Nichols, Will Lee, Billy Cobham, and We Came As Romans.

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When asked about the renovations, Sweetwater Studios Producer and Engineer Shawn Dealey says the company wanted to find ways to continue doing what they’ve always done – but better.

“What that means for us in a practical sense is making upgrades that will enhance the studio and make it an even more creative and inspiring place to be,” Dealey adds. “Most people associate digital with convenience, but this analog workflow actually makes mixes come together much faster. The sheer musicality of the console makes our job much easier and more enjoyable, and the results more meaningful for the artists that we work with.”

The studio staff also took the opportunity to upgrade the entire wiring infrastructure of the studio, too. With the help of JUMPERZ Audio, all of Sweetwater’s studios were outfitted with new wall plates and all new mic, line speaker and instrument cabling.

“This allowed us to create a streamlined workflow to access and connect all our spaces and equipment in Studio A, B, and C. Utilizing Avid MTRX converters in all three rooms gives us unrivaled connectivity and expansion. This was a great opportunity to evolve how we do things at Sweetwater Studios,” Dealey adds.

“By having all of our most inspirational pieces of equipment seamlessly integrated, we can focus entirely on making music with the finest possible ingredients at hand,” Dealey says of the current upgrades. Sweetwater Studios has even more renovations planned for its other studios, including a Dolby Atmos 9.1.4 system in Studio B for immersive audio production.

“We believe in the power of music, and understand how important the feel of the studio is to the creative process,” says Dealey. “Given that, we’re always looking towards the horizon of how we can make the studios more welcoming, creative, and comfortable for the artists that we love to work with. Sweetwater Studios is a place where musical creativity has no boundaries. Where the only limit is the artist’s imagination.”