Emerson College upgrades studio with API 1608

Emerson College has purchased a 32-channel API 1608 analogue console with full automation for its studio facilities.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the school currently has over 4,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The 1608 will be used for the Advanced Recording and Introduction to Sound Design courses.

“We are a school of communications, focusing on Sound for Visual Media Arts,” commented Bruno Caruso (pictured), Emerson College’s audio technical supervisor. “We use our studio facilities to teach sound design, mix to picture, ADR, foley, sound for gaming, and voice-over.”

The college offers an entry-level room, with an analogue console workflow and a high-end post-production suite with Avid ICON digital workflow. The post-production area features a collection of API 512c mic preamps and an API channel strip for source recording. “We were certainly very happy with that sound,” Caruso continued. “That was a factor that moved us in the direction of API for our console purchase.”

The aim was to introduce a studio space that would bridge the technological gap between the entry-level room and the post suite. “Of course the API sound was an important part of our decision to add a 1608, but there was more to it than that,” stated Caruso. “It’s an analogue board with a great sound that’s very easy to teach. The students can stand around the board while the Faculty demonstrates techniques.”

Emerson bought the desk through local firm Parsons Audio.

“Everyone at Parsons was great,” Caruso added. “They gave us demos of everything we were considering and lots of other support. They were instrumental in pointing us in the right direction for our needs. Through them, Todd Beeten of Sound Construction built us custom furniture and racks for our facilities.”

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