Recording and Production in the News

Classical specialists Sono Luminus achieve spectacular results with Prism Sound's ADA-8XR Converters

Upperville, Virginia, USA - September 2006: A desire to uphold the highest possible standards of audio fidelity lies behind classical recording specialist Sono Luminus' decision to upgrade its Prism Sound ADA-8 converters to ADA-8XR status.

Sono Luminus MD and Senior Engineer, Dan Shores with an ADA-8XR

Recently awarded the coveted PAR Excellence Award 2005 by Pro Audio Review and nominated for the 2006 TEC Awards, Prism Sound's precision eight-channel ADA-8XR builds on the success of the ADA-8 by operating at sampling rates up to 192kHz and providing even greater analog performance. Existing ADA-8s can be economically upgraded to XR specification and many facilities such as Sono Luminus (www.sonoluminus.com) have already exploited this option.

"We have been using Prism Sound converters for some time because they offer exceptional sonic quality," says Dan Shores, managing director/senior engineer of Sono Luminus. "However, in 2005, we acquired the classical label Dorian Recordings (www.dorian.com). In order to maintain the standard of quality for which the label is famous, we decided to upgrade our converters to XR specification so that we could record in 192kHz."

Based in Virginia, Sono Luminus has been in business since 1995 when Len Bosack and Sandy Lerner, founders of Cisco Systems, decided that their expertise in digital signal processing, computational mathematics and physics would enable them to bring a new level of recording fidelity to music. The team's mission is to bring a new audio experience to the home listener through a new approach to the miking, mixing, mastering of the new digital discrete, multi-channel recording formats.

Since 1995, Sono Luminus has recorded medieval, glass, acoustic and modern instruments in solo and large orchestral performances. In addition, the Sono Luminus team has recorded solo vocalists, chant, antiphonal and traditional chorale ensembles.

"Our philosophy is to stay on the cutting edge of recording technology, which is why our studios in Virginia have had a 7.1 system since 1997," Shores adds. "We acquired our first Prism Sound ADA-8 converters in 2003 when we were commissioned to record the world premier of Sir John Tavener's Veil Of The Temple. Such a prestigious project demanded a really tight system and, after A/B testing various converters, we chose the Prism Sound units because they provided the fidelity and clarity that was needed for this recording. They were also incredibly flexible because they could be used with 16 inputs, rather than 8 in/8 out, which was what most of their competitors were offering."

Upgrading to XR specification was a simple process for the facility and one that has brought 'spectacular results', says Shores.

"We primarily use Pro Tools HD, but are capable of working with Sonic, Pyramix, and even some analog formats when necessary. Everything, no matter what format, is routed through our fully digital system so there's no degradation of sound caused by analog equipment. The Prism Sound converters form an integral part of the recording, mixing and mastering chain. One of the units is permanently installed in our mobile recording rig, while the other is based on our studio where it is used on virtually a daily basis. Both give us unparalleled performance."

Prism Sound's ADA-8XR has enjoyed enormous success since its launch in 2005 and is already proving popular with a variety of recording studios and mastering facilities around the world. To date it has been used for film scores, music recording projects and for a prestigious computer games music project for Sony's Playstation 3.