http://mixonline.com/mixl...ark-royer/

May 18, 2005 8:00 AM

Dave Hampton with his Royer R-122

Paisley Park Studios, the Minneapolis, Minn. facility owned by Prince, recently underwent an extensive renovation, which included, among other things, a sizeable upgrade to their mic closet.

Dave Hampton and his staff at MATK Corporation, along with longtime associate Khaliq Glover, managed the facility upgrade. “Studio B was totally restored, and we rebuilt the room’s API de Medio console—bringing it completely up to date,” says Hampton, who also serves as technical director for Paisley Park. “We also updated all the monitoring systems in both studios A and B. Further, the amplification was changed over as well as some of the cabinetry and traps, and we modified the control rooms to address the types of music production that’s taking place there these days.”

The newly reopened Paisley Park features four music studios: Studio A, the largest of the four, features an SSL 8000 G+ 80 channel film console with Ultimation; the popular Studio B offers a vintage API; Studio C, a small format production suite, contains a Midas Venice and Pro Tools, MOTU Digital Performer and Studer two-inch options; Studio D, a smaller DAW-based studio, features Pro Tools, Logic Audio and MOTU workstations. Paisley Park also contains an edit suite, 12,500 square-foot acoustically soundproof soundstage, prestage area, production offices, rehearsal room, dressing rooms and three loading docks for film projects.

The studio’s revamped mic collection includes, among others, two Royer R-122 Active Series phantom powered ribbon microphones, which have already been placed into active duty.

“We’ve used the R-122s as room mics for a number of drum sessions, and we’ve also used them to record piano and a number of other instruments as well. In addition to Prince’s work, we’ve used the R-122s on a number of private projects and on some commercials,” notes Hampton.

Among the music works recorded at Paisley Park using the Royer R-122s are Prince’s “The United States of Division,” “Silver Tongue,” and “Cinnamon Girl.” These and other Prince songs are available for download at http://www.npgmusicclub.com/

For more information on the studio, visit www.paisleyparkstudios.net
For more information on Royer mics, visit www.royerlabs.com
[Edited 5/31/05 18:00pm]

it would be interesting to know if paisley park as a studio complex is bringing much money into prince's camp at the moment, i take it from that they've recorded music for commercials there?

whoever is handling prince's PR at the moment is doing a good job, it seems that at the end of every press release or article like this (especially online) it mentions that his songs are for download from his music club. i suppose not many people will necessarily go on right away from that link to download 'em but if it happens dozens of times a year it must have some effect!

"Among the music works recorded at Paisley Park using the Royer R-122s are Prince’s “The United States of Division,” “Silver Tongue,” and “Cinnamon Girl.” These and other Prince songs are available for download at http://www.npgmusicclub.com "


Are we really going to hear the difference all this studio investment makes when the songs are only released as compressed downloads?

Bring back the CD!

PopeLeo said:

Yes you are. Each microphone has it's own 'sound'. or 'color' as sometimes it's called. Some of them make the sound brighter, warmer, or cleaner. When you add different mics to your collection, you have more variety to choose from, according to the sound you're looking for. you will hear it even on MP3. today's MP3 has very noticeable change, when compressed right (using the Lame encoder).


(That was 30 seconds about sound, from Heavenly A professional sound engineer)

This is legit.

These guys also work with Herbie Hancock.

I've hung with them a few times... cool and down 2 earth.

Peace.

G.

Paisley Park Boasts Monster Power

By Mix Editors

Paisley Park's Studio A

Monster Power, a division of Monster Cable (Brisbane, Calif.), had a hand in the renovation of Prince’s Paisley Park Studios’ Multimedia Production Center (Minneapolis, Minn.), which recently opened as a commercial facility.

At a recent open house, Paisley Park’s technical director, Dave Hampton, stated, “All studios as well as video edit rooms are using the Monster AVS 2000, the PRO7000 and the UPS 1000. Minnesota has some very unusual power grid fluctuations, so we use the AVS unit’s ability to clean and monitor AC power in our critical areas. This has actually helped us create a consistent operational environment for the studios.” Monster's Automatic Voltage Stabilizer protects connected equipment in the event of extended over voltage. It features a triple-shielded 8ft. PowerLine 400 cable for maximum transfer and provides consistent 120V output when AC fluctuates anywhere from 80-140V.

Hampton reports that Paisley Park will implement the same Monster units every time they design a solution, and they even have a mobile power rack that they use to create emergency “reliable” power, which helps them maintain proper electrical environment for vintage equipment

Regarding the studio’s reopening, Hampton says that Prince wanted a facility “where music and content can be developed free from the usual pressures and limitations. Paisley Park’s goal for its open house was for attendees to be given the opportunity to ‘see’ music and for the local creative community to come in and talk with several Grammy-winning engineers, and [for us] to extend our gratitude to some of the top names in technology.”

For more information on Paisley Park, visit www.paisleyparkstudios.net. For more on Monster Power and Monster Cables, visit www.monstercable.com.

http://mixonline.com/news...index.html