Caraibes

Brussels, Belgium
With the upgrading of their SSL 32 channel console into a 56 channel desk, the Brussels-based Caraïbes studio is making its mark to remain one of Brussel’s leading recording facilities. In addition, Caraïbes, owned by Caraibes S.A., opened a second studio.
“It has been quite a huge operation,” explains studio manager Christophe Tonglet, “involving quite some planning as well. In our A studio, alongside the SSL-upgrade, we also changed the monitor system and renewed the acoustics of the control room. Our B-studio returns into the Caraïbes package after it was hired to external producers for quite some time, and finally, we are opening our C studio, aiming at independent recording engineers, bringing in their own configuration, while Caraïbes remains owner of the building. So the studio isn’t hired, we prefer to talk about a partnership deal here because engineers are also attracting new clients to the two other studios for recording purposes.”
“The main philosophy throughout our activities is the analogue,” continues Tonglet, “and most of our outboard is analogue as well: Neve, Tube Tech, Manley… We remain loyal to the analogue feel because both we and our clients think this just sounds better. But we remain realistic and the high cost of the tapes makes analogue recording quite expensive. But with each album we are surprised how good the analogue sounds, especially on radio many clients return to Caraïbes for the analogue recording – and the SSL, that’s rock”n roll.” The Genelec monitor speakers were replaced by new BOXER T3 main monitors. Tonglet adds that the decision to replace the Sony Oxford OXF R3 console by the SSL desk was also crucial. “The Oxford was a really nice desk but we found that the interface was not really user-friendly, and this works really well with the SSL.”
To combine the best of both worlds, Most session are recorded on the 24 track 2 inch Otari MTR 100, for the sound quality; and simultaneously transferred on the Pro Tools HD for the editing possibilities and also the goal is to use less tape.
The heart of Caraïbes remains the huge 390m³ recording room, -with acoustics which has a really good reputation in the business- this is surrounded by several small recording room and an amplifier booth; these three rooms, just like the B studio are routed to the main A control room with the SSL. Tonglet emphasises the fact that Caraïbes is concentrating on pure sound recording, because first of all, Caraibes is a music recording facilities.
In the new B studio, Caraïbes continues the analogue philosophy, with a MCI console and Quested S8 monitors and analogues tape machines– the studio is smaller but offers the same technical qualities like the main room, and comes to a friendly budget to attract new bands and projects. The idea is to use both studio for the different stages of a production.
The massive investment for the refurbishment of Caraïbes also includes the complete overhaul of the ground floor, where a spacious hall serves as bar and meeting point for musicians. This will be open continuously and available for album presentations with kitchen facilities, adequate lighting and accommodation. The ground floor also holds a huge loading dock for equipment as well as a new elevator serving the first floor studios. “A big investment indeed but we believe that the combination of the studio’s, each with their own approach, will rentabilise the investment made – this operation will become a benefit for the whole studio and will safeguard and increase our clienthood. We get many bands from abroad, happy to see the lower studio rates, the high level of quality and the good working atmosphere, enhanced by the new spacious leisure area downstairs – everybody’s at ease and enjoying privacy when necessary,” Tonglet concludes.
Caraïbes also updated the studio’s web pages on www.caraibes.be
Marc Maes
PRO SOUND NEWS EUROPE