I finally finished building - the doors are open!

[VTypeV4]

I hope this post doesn't breach any forum protocol - I'm just happy.

Having worked as a live engineer for the last (gulp!) 17 years, I finally decided that enough was enough and that I wanted to pull my career in a different direction.

This all goes back to 2014 when I was knocked off my motorbike by an unobservant driver - he was responsible and as such, I got some compensation. With some of the pennies I considered it wise to invest in a better computer, a multi I/O interface and offer a live multi-track recording service. This has proven to be a success and has helped pave the way to where I'm at today.

Ml5k lamps mid by VTypeV4, on Flickr

This is a snap of the control room with the old A&H GL3000 (mentioned elsewhere on the forum) in the foreground, the big A&H ML5000 in the background and the 02R which is just out of sight under the ML. The doors are open and I've already done a recording plus a few mixes of things recorded elsewhere for a few clients. The mastering side is a little slower to take off but I've had a few sniffs so hopefully with a little more promotion that will fly too. I'm also teaching production, recording and mixing for which there seems to be an interest with all of which will soon be accredited.

Dan Window Synk by VTypeV4, on Flickr

Great player, Dan Chorlton during a session last week.

Modded 02r Synk by VTypeV4, on Flickr

02R still providing great service despite it's vintage..

I'm really excited to start a new chapter of my career - I'm still doing live sound to keep me going for now but I just wanted to share some of my excitement with this community.

Thanks for looking. Matt

[Kwackman]

Looking good, good luck on your new venture.

Is that an 02R96 or an original 02R?

[Drew Stephenson]

Looks good fella, glad you managed to turn something good out of the accident.

[VTypeV4]

Thanks for the replies..

The 02R is an original one - I know they're a bit old hat these days but I love the way they work and still think they sound great. I'd like a '96 or such similar but for now it will more than suffice. I also plan to swap those Behringer composers out too - they're ok but I'd rather dbx or drawmer.

There's still a few things I need to address but they'll be sorted in time and thankfully the audio is working well - looks like getting knocked off the Honda was a blessing in disguise!

[Kwackman]

The 02R is an original one

In a previous life, I used one of these in a very busy audio post production room for TV/Video.
It had a hard life, we used it a lot, some days for 12+ hours, and it never, ever let us down.
It was so reliable that when we finally replaced it (and another much, much more expensive digital desk), a Yamaha DM2000 & 02R96 were bought.

About 2 decades ago SOS had one of these desks as a prize in the monthly competition. It came with the TC Electronic card. It was worth over £7500 back then and probably, imho, the best prize ever.

- looks like getting knocked off the Honda was a blessing in disguise!

Ouch. I hope you and the bike (VFR I assume?) have made a full recovery.

[garrettendi]

This looks incredible!

[Dr R]

Very nice! Looks like a great way to change career, and reduce the chances of putting your back out manhandling a PA.

I've never used a Yamaha O2R, but I am fond of A&H large format desks. "One knob per function plus the big one driving it", as a friend of mine puts it.
How big is the live room, and how many channels can you track at once?

Rich

[VTypeV4]

The 02R is an original one

In a previous life, I used one of these in a very busy audio post production room for TV/Video.
It had a hard life, we used it a lot, some days for 12+ hours, and it never, ever let us down.
It was so reliable that when we finally replaced it (and another much, much more expensive digital desk), a Yamaha DM2000 & 02R96 were bought.

About 2 decades ago SOS had one of these desks as a prize in the monthly competition. It came with the TC Electronic card. It was worth over £7500 back then and probably, imho, the best prize ever.

- looks like getting knocked off the Honda was a blessing in disguise!

Ouch. I hope you and the bike (VFR I assume?) have made a full recovery.

I own three! Two live at the live venue and one at the studio. I also wrote the review on here a while back (which I've seen used as a description on ebay for any number of 02Rs for sale!) as I thought a 'modern day' look at one may be useful for some:

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... 27&t=55293 .

The example at the studio doesn't have the TC card as I'm only really using it as in 'in' but the other two do as they're used for both live and post production. I'm not massively hot on the Finalizer - it's ok and useful but just doesn't quite do it for me however, the M2000 set is fantastic and is at least (if not better) than my TC M1.

As for me and the VFR, we're both fine - I didn't have any breaks and it was rebuilt as a result so it was probably the best thing for it.

NC Rng 16BSize by VTypeV4, on Flickr

Me and the Honda at the Nurburgring post rebuild - Sept '16. Did 2000 miles on it that week!

This looks incredible!

Thanks, glad it made the right impression.

Very nice! Looks like a great way to change career, and reduce the chances of putting your back out manhandling a PA.

I've never used a Yamaha O2R, but I am fond of A&H large format desks. "One knob per function plus the big one driving it", as a friend of mine puts it.
How big is the live room, and how many channels can you track at once?

Rich

It's time for change - I wasn't ready 5 years but now I am. It's one of those things that when you know, you know.

I too am a fan of large A&H desks and have always had a soft spot for them as the first console I ever used was an ancient 24ch GS3/V at college 20 years ago. I've good experience of Soundcraft consoles (from Spirit SX to GB8 plus digital 328XD) too although if it came to the crunch, I'd pick A&H - Cornwall's finest every time. Their digital desks are nice too - I've used the Qu range on a couple of shows and they're straight forward, friendly and sound great.

Your frineds quote works for me too!!

As for my live room, it's about 25ft by 20ft plus I have a clearsonic drum booth to keep the racket under control. I can track 16ch via the ADAT cards, plus an additional six analogue so a total of 22 simultaneous and up to 26 on play back but I have a second interface on order to total 52 play back soon.

[VTypeV4]

And just as a gesture of goodwill to the good folk on the forum - anyone quoting 'I saw this on the SOS forum' until December will receive a 10% discount on any services by Synkronize Music Group.

Hope that doesn't break any rules.

Fuzz 02R by VTypeV4, on Flickr

[VTypeV4]

02R NHc Bpool SD12 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

SVT sunst by VTypeV4, on Flickr

In the four-and-a-bit years since this thread was started, the studio has truly flourished! We moved from London Road (Stoke town) into the new Sun Street Studios building (Hanley) back in July 2021 which was a huge upgrade in every sense.

Sadly, the little Honda is no more - I had a bad off in terrible weather during late 2018. I've since gone back to my much loved FJ1200 platform.

Sun St GL by VTypeV4, on Flickr

Basses & Festivals 22 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

[Drew Stephenson]

Looking very tidy!

[Martin Walker]

Wow - now that's impressive!

[Wonks]

Looks great. You've got enough knobs and channels available to keep even Arpangel happy.*

*Alternate days only.

[Folderol]

Very impressive. Way above my 'pay grade' though. I'd be like a rabbit in the headlights

[VTypeV4]

Thanks for all the kind words, folks.

Using the big A&H, I can do 48 channels OTB or 72 including FX returns at mix down - monsterous! The DM2000 is used for both tracking (24 inputs) and mix down (34 channels) - it's such a useful and powerful tool.

[VTypeV4]

1718531595345 by VTypeV4, on Flickr

I appreciate this is an old thread but I'm still proud that the studio is still alive and kicking. Six years today since we opened!

[tacitus]

6 years in business already puts you in the top 1-2% of successful start-ups. So well done on all fronts.

I’m inching back into location recording after a 20 year hiatus doing live sound - can’t move the speakers any more. And I probably can’t move my A&H 32-channel mixer, either. My Zoom F6, on the other hand is fabulously handy. Even if it lacks the Dolly Parton Factor!

[BJG145]

[ajay_m]

An inspiring post to read on a Sunday afternoon. I hope you have the opportunity to nurture some great talent and wish you the very best for the future!

[VTypeV4]

Thanks for the kind words.

I'll see you all here this time next year!

[Spells]

You're in Stoke! I'd love to pop by sometime. Congrats on the studio being successful.

[OneWorld]

WOW, it'd takle half a day to switchin everything on. Well donw and best of luck with your venture and hats off to you I can't find a hats off smilie

I got knocked off my bike too way back when. The driver of the van that hit me was being chased by the police, went through a red light, drove off after knocking me flying and when caught tried to blame the accident on me and I should pay for the body shaped in his van, my body!

[Eddy Deegan]

That's a lovely looking environment. Congratulations on 6 years

[VTypeV4]

That's a lovely looking environment. Congratulations on 6 years

Many thanks - hopefully there'll be at least six more.

You're in Stoke! I'd love to pop by sometime. Congrats on the studio being successful.

You're welcome to send me PM and see if we can put something together.

WOW, it'd takle half a day to switchin everything on. Well donw and best of luck with your venture and hats off to you I can't find a hats off smilie

I got knocked off my bike too way back when. The driver of the van that hit me was being chased by the police, went through a red light, drove off after knocking me flying and when caught tried to blame the accident on me and I should pay for the body shaped in his van, my body!

Ha, it kinda does! Thanks, I appreciate the kindness.

As for bikes, having knocks and spills is never fun and in my experience, the road never gets any softer! Glad you survived to tell the tale!