Our New Console

When we decided too replace the existing

console at Cloud 9, Jack and I left no stone

unturned. Despite the claims of all the

manufactures, we knew, after listening to

several digital consoles, that a digital console

was not going to give us the kind of warmth

and punch that we were looking for.

So, our search began.

For over three years we spoke with every manufacturer and broker that existed. We spent countless hours surfing the Internet, relentlessly looking for the console that would be all we wanted and needed it to be. Our quest led us on many road trips that resulted in some funny travel stories but still no console.

Finally in late 2003 we became reacquainted with Andrew Roberts who is the owner and head designer of a company called Purple Audio. We first met Andrew several years earlier after he installed a meter up grade on one of his world famous MC-76 Purple Audio compressors. He did it in 2 seconds flat and didn’t even charge us.  Needless to say it was refreshing to meet some one who took so much pride in his work and was more than fair in his business practices.

Our paths crossed again in 2003 because we had heard through the grape vine that Andrew might have a console that would fit our needs. Now buying a used console is a scary proposition. But since the seller was Andrew, Jack and I got a real good feeling about it.

When we got to Andrews shop, (which is something you have to see to believe) we saw several used consoles in various states of completion. After looking at all he had to show, we sat down and had a long discussion about what we wanted in a console. After listening to all our wants Andrew showed us the console that now sits in the control room of Cloud 9. I can write a novel on what took place over the following year. But the bottom line is that we finally got the console that we wanted and it sounds amazing!

The console Microphone pre-amps and Equalizers are based on the old trident series consoles from Great Britton and world-renowned engineers, Kenny Laguna, Brian Malouf, and Michael Barbiero like what they hear. It is a 32-channel inline console with 24 busses and 10 aux sends. It has brand new P&G 8000 and 3000 series faders across the board. The master section was designed and built by Andrew Roberts and customized for Cloud 9 Recording. It is laid out and has similar features to that of an SSL but with the sonic integrity and punch of an old Neve console. To put the finishing touches on the upgrade we commissioned Matt Marinelli of Coral Sound to install a full Audio Exsessories bantam TT patch bay complete with Mogami cable and Neutrik connecters.

In closing Jack and I would like to thank Andrew Roberts and Matt Marinelli for their incredible workmanship, solid support and honorable business practices. They are both a credit to themselves and to the audio industry they serve.

 

I hope you enjoy the rest of the web site. Thanks.

 

Kind regards, Joe Napoli. 

Here are some more photos of the console being installed at Cloud 9 by Andrew and Jordie.

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