Chris saw the need for a new kind of private high quality recording facility, and approached Pilchner Schoustal to draw up some plans. Revisions were made, ideas were tossed around, construction began...........Dave became a partner and co-visionary. The studio was meticulously and painstakingly constructed during off hours from work and band rehearsals, over a five year period...as money would allow. The guys made sure absolutely no corners were cut and every detail was scrutinized.
In spring 2005 the building was finally ready (if you hate geeky tech talk skip to the next paragraph!). A 72 channel SSL 4000 G/G+ console with moving faders was brought up from Staten Island, New York and installed. The rack was filled with the most desirable and fat sounding gear (both vintage and modern) from the likes of Neve, Pultec, DBX, Focusrite, Urei, Teletronix, RCA, Lexicon, and Empirical Labs to name a few. Everything was connected with the highest quality Mogami wiring which then feeds through Apogee converters into a full blown Digidesign Pro Tools HD3 system with dual quad processor Mac Pro and 30" LCD cinema display.
Steve Chahley was brought in as house engineer at DNA after having previously worked at Metalworks and Iguana Recording in Toronto.....and 8 years across the pond in England working for various studios.
In the short time DNA has been open we've had the pleasure of working with some of the best artists, producers, and companies around Toronto and beyond. We're artists, producers, and huge lovers of music just like yourselves.......and have worked hard to put together an environment that inspires us and allows us to reach our creative goals. We'd love to be a part of yours too. Check us out!
INDEPENDENT ARTISTS - we love and support the indie scene.....and try to help out whenever we can. Drop us a note - you might be surprised at how affordable we can be!
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DNA Equipment List:
Console:
SSL 4080 G/G+ (72 loaded)
• 56 black "E Series" EQs
• 16 black "G Series" EQs
• Ultimation
• Total Recall
• 4 pair speaker switcher relay
• "Listen Mic" compressor output mod
• VCA to Monitor Inhibitor mod
• talkback foot pedal mod
• center section summing mods
Digital Audio Workstation:
Digidesign Pro Tools HD3 Accel
• Digidesign Sync I/O timecode unit
• Apogee Big Ben master clock
• Apogee A/D and D/A converters (2 x AD16x, 4 x DA 16x for a total 32 inputs, 64 outputs)
• Mac Pro Dual Quad 3.2 GHz computer, 4 GB of RAM, 2 Superdrive DVD burners, 500GB system drive, 1 TB audio drive, 1 TB backup audio drive
• Apple 30" Cinema Display
• MOTU Micro Express USB MIDI Interface
• many plug ins
Monitors:
Main:
PSI Max Quad Eight (tri-amped)
• 3 x MC Squared 750 power amps
• XTA digital crossover unit
Near Field:
Yamaha NS10M Studio
• Bryston 3B-ST power amp
• Yamaha powered sub available
Preamps and EQs:
2 x API 512c (pre)
2 x API 550 (parametric EQ)
2 x API 560 (graphic EQ)
2 x Chandler Germanium (pre)
1 x LaChapell Audio 992EG (stereo tube pre)
2 x Neve 1081 (vintage)
4 x Neve 1073 (vintage)
2 x Neve 1066 (vintage)
2 x Pultec EQP1A (vintage)
2 x Pultec EQP1A3 (vintage)
2 x Shadow Hills Gama (pre)
2 x Wunder Audio PEQ 1
Dynamics:
2 x DBX 160X
2 x Empirical Labs Distressor with "Brit" mod
2 x Neve 2254a (vintage)
2 x RCA BA6A (vintage) with attack/release mod
1 x SPL Transient Designer 4
2 x Teletronix LA2A (vintage)
2 x Urei 1176LN Blackface (vintage)
1 x Urei 1178 (vintage)
Effects:
1 x EMT 140 tube plate reverb (stereo)
1 x EMT 140 tube plate reverb (mono)
1 x Lexicon 480L (version 4.1 software) with LARC remote
1 x Marshall Time Modulator 5002
1 x Roland Dimension D
1 x Roland RE-501 Chorus Echo (tape echo unit)
1 x Roland RE-201 Echo (tape echo unit)
1 x Ursa Major Space Station
Microphones:
2 x AEA R-84 ribbon (stereo matched)
2 x AKG C-12A tube condenser (vintage)
1 x AKG D-112 dynamic
2 x AKG 414B-ULS condenser
1 x Audio Technica ATM-25 dynamic
1 x Audio Technica Pro 37 condenser
1 x Crown PZM
2 x Earthworks Z30X condenser
1 x Neumann U-87 condenser
4 x Sennheiser 421 dynamic
1 x Shure Green Bullet dynamic
2 x Shure SM-57 dynamic
1 x Shure SM-7 dynamic
1 x Sony C-37 tube condenser (vintage)
assortment of speaker mics
***other mics available upon request***
Miscellaneous:
1 x Radial JDV Mark 3 active DI box
1 x Tascam -10/+4 balancing amp
48 point XLR and 1/4" tie bay on back of outboard rack
63" JVC D-ILA HD TV in control room
42" Hitachi HD Plasma TV in lounge
(on request):
1960 Fender Bassman 5F6-A (yep....the HOLY GRAIL amp!!!)
1960 Fender Champ
1966 Fender Vibrolux Reverb
1968 Marshall Plexi Guitar Amp Head (50 watt)
1970 Marshall 4 x 12 speaker cabinet (with original 25 watt greenback speakers)
***the highest quality Mogami cabling is used throughout the facility (including microphone leads)***