Recording and Production in the News

The Chairworks adds to its Prism Sound roster

Cambridge, UK: June 2014: Castleford-based The Chairworks, the north of England's largest residential recording studio complex, has bought two more Prism Sound ADA-8XR multi-channel AD/DA converters to add to its growing roster of the units.

Ryan Jarvis with the Chairworks' ADA-8XRs

"We've got six now," comments Studio owner Ryan Jarvis. "We have 32 in 64 out, and everyone who comes here uses them and comments that Prism Sound are the best converters they've ever heard."

The Chairworks has invested heavily in its facilities recently and is proud of the fact that its 96 channels of immaculate Prism Sound ADA-8XR conversion help artists to capture their performances perfectly through a large selection of first class microphones and vintage pre-amps. Recent credits include ex Beautiful South members Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbot's What Have We Become, Skindred's Kill the Power, British Steam Power, and even the entire Grimethorpe Brass Band.

Constructed in a late nineteenth century Victorian factory, The Chairworks has been careful to utilise all the space at its disposal. Its phenomenally well-equipped Studio A control room now looks through into its newest live room, which in turn leads into another large space with multiple booths and 'more keyboards than you can shake a stick at'.

"We finished the new live room, designed by studio legend John Wood, last year," says Jarvis. "It features a double height ceiling and a large diamond-shaped window. It's perfect for things like orchestral work. And while the Prism Sound converters are great for everything because of the level of detail you can hear, they're really good for that," he adds.

Studio A's control room is built around an immaculately maintained SSL 4000 G+ with flying faders, Total Recall and Ultimation. To this are added the six ADA-8XRs, a Konnektor synchroniser and several racks of vintage outboard gear.

"To be honest, I think we have enough ADA-8XRs for the moment," says Jarvis. "Besides, they're so reliable we don't need back-ups and the after-sales support from Prism Sound is fantastic. But the ADA-8XRs are fantastic too. What comes out is exactly the same as what goes in, you cannot tell the difference and I don't know of any other convertor that does that. It's just completely transparent."