SPHERE'S NEW CONSOLES REFLECT THE BEST OF BRITISH DESIGN

Sphere Studios, the state of the art three studio complex currently under construction in Battersea, has become the first recording facility in the UK to order a Neve 88R console.

The 72-channel Neve 88R features a 26/8 mix bus, Encore automation, 5.1 monitoring and 36 remote controlled mic pre-amps that can be driven from any of Sphere's production suites. It will be installed in the facility's main 5.1 surround sound recording and film scoring room.

Sphere, designed by Munro Associates and due to open at the end of May, has also placed an order with SSL for a 72-channel J Series console, which will be installed in its main mix room. The third control room will be equipped with the Euphonix CS3000 console that is currently being used (in conjunction with a Pro Tools 24 MixPlus hard disk system and Munro Associates MA1 monitors) in one of the six production suites that were officially opened at the end of last year.

Malcolm Atkin, who along with Francesco Cameli is one of the main partners behind Sphere, says the console decision was a tough one to make and involved careful consideration of all key factors, including commerciality and sonic quality.

"For commercial reasons we decided to install a console from each of the major manufacturers. AMS Neve was the obvious choice for recording and tracklaying, while SSL is unbeatable in the mixing arena. The Euphonix, which we already owned, compliments both of these desks and provides our clients with an alternative recording and mixing option."

Atkin adds that the new 88R features elements of the console that Neve originally developed for Air studios in Montserrat. As technical manager at Air, Atkin was closely involved with the design of the Montserrat desk and went on to have significant input into the design of the Neve V Series.

He says: "Although the 88R's mic pre amps were, for us, its main selling point, the EQ was also an important consideration because it is closely based on designs we developed for the Montserrat console. I was also very impressed with the monitoring facilities and with the fact that the actual construction of the desk is so good. With this console Neve has incorporated industry standard methods of working into a large format console and has achieved spectacular results. Commercially, this is the best console Neve has delivered in years and I believe they are now a serious contender for pole position in the recording console market."

Sphere Studios will operate as a fully commercial venture and it was for this reason that Atkin and Cameli chose an SSL J Series console for their mixing and overdubbing room.

"We carried out market research and discovered that in terms of preference many of top engineers have now moved from the G Series to the J Series," he says. "The console is perfect for our requirements and fits in with our general philosophy of future proofing Sphere wherever possible."