SSL Nucleus streamlines production at Price Studios

Multipurpose performing arts facility Price Studios, owned by the Entertainment and Media Group, is utilising an SSL Nucleus to accelerate production.

Price Studios offers a suite of production spaces including a 1,500 sqft professional dance studio and a recording studio. The recording studio splits its 572 sqft of plush purpose-built space evenly between a control room and live room capable of accommodating a small ensemble. The studio handles a busy schedule of artist development, songwriting, music and voiceover recording and mixing. Recent projects include work for Charlie Simpson (ex Busted and Fightstar), X-Factor winner James Arthur, Australian rockers Tonight Alive, West End theatre star Hadley Fraser, the vocal trio Blake (winners of the Classic BRIT Awards), in addition to recording themes for TV and advertising.

The addition of Nucleus to the studio was driven by a range of factors, Sam Featherstone, Price Studio’s in-house producer/engineer and technical manager explained:

"I needed something that gave me hands-on control of various DAWs, sounded great, and was versatile and modern. It had to be a product that could add something to the studio, but also integrate well with the Pro Tools | HDX system that was already in place. I looked at all sorts of options, and Nucleus ticked all the boxes: control of all the major DAWs, great mic preamps, a flexible monitoring section, and it could act as a soundcard if needed. Not to mention that it looks cool in my room."

According to Featherstone, the Nucleus allows him to work more quickly in the way he is accustomed. "I’ve heard some horror stories about dodgy DAW controllers," he explained. "If I’m going to have a set of faders, they need to work flawlessly, and that’s what I get with the Nucleus. It’s a joy recording automation moves, flicking between the sends in Pro Tools, and using the user shortcut buttons. Hands on the faders, fingers on the send pots and you can get a mix together much quicker."

For Featherstone, Nucleus delivers as only an SSL can. "I wouldn’t say it surprised me, because my expectations were pretty high," he said. "But the Nucleus didn’t disappoint me in any way."

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