The Cutting Room Sweetens Studio A With SSL Duality
We stopped by The Cutting Room Studios last week to check out the new 48-channel SSL Duality console that replaces their SSL 9000 J. The Cutting Room turns 15 this year, and has always had an SSL “A” room — starting with a G Series, then onto the J9000 and now the next-generation Duality.
SSL’s Thomas Jensen (right) runs through the new Duality with The Cutting Room crew.
“This Duality fits us really, really well,” says David Crafa, owner of The Cutting Room. “Sonically and channel strip-wise, it really seems identical to the 9K, but then it’s also this amazing computer that allows you to work with Pro Tools seamlessly and provides all these cool new ways to patch things and do internal routing.
“There’s also a routing section for 5.1 surround panning [multiple stereo buses double as a full 5.1 surround bus].
“I’m really happy with it. And I’m going to be even happier when I see the electric bill this month!)”
The Cutting Room is also replacing its Studio A piano with a Yamaha C3 concert grand. “Getting the new piano will, in a sense, complete the place,” says Crafa. “Between the new Duality and C3 and our rack-mounted Neve modules for additional tracking options, Studio A will be a perfect tracking and mixing environment. And then we still have our Neve 8816 for tracking in Studio B which doubles as Tony Gillis’ mastering suite.”
Brooklyn “tropical indie-pop” trio Dinosaur Feathers perform for KEXP at The Cutting Room.
Between hosting KEXP’s in-studio sessions (Yeasayer, Phantogram, The XX, Fanfarlo, ETC.) throughout the year and its in-house artist development efforts, The Cutting Room may be handling a wider variety of work than ever. And, no doubt, they’re jumping in deeper with their clients.
The studio facilitates not only full-on production — writing, tracking, mixing and mastering — but also web design and video production services.
“I’d say the studio business has been about 50-50 in terms of in-house production and outside clientele in the last quarter,” says Crafa. “Some work grows out of the KEXP sessions, like a recent 7” we did with Suckers, but we’re also developing a lot of independent talent.”
The Cutting Room manager Patrick Ermlich adds, “A lot of the independent artists we’re working with are local, but we’ve also gotten projects from overseas. They come to us and need everything from session players, production, website, video, etc. We can create a manageable budget to provide all of that, including mastering. It’s the entire package.”
For more information on The Cutting Room Studios, visit http://www.thecuttingroom.com. And click HERE for more on KEXP at The Cutting Room.