James' Studio Build 2024

[James Perrett]

Big studio move tomorrow - this is how we ended up today...



Plus I discovered this on an old VHS tape - from my first shed studio when it had just gone 8 track...

https://youtu.be/kMjQRRg8F9E

we all looked so young...

[Eddy Deegan]

https://youtu.be/kMjQRRg8F9E

we all looked so young...

Brilliant! I'd love to have video of myself at that age.

[Arpangel]

Good greif James, it’s one classic piece of gear after another, that's a nice 401, with an SME too, I’m getting jealouser and jealouser.

[Kwackman]

Are your computer monitors in the first picture 4x3 screens?

[resistorman]

Ah yes, reminds me of the enthusiasm in my studio going to 8 track Wish I had a video! We smoked in my control room too

[James Perrett]

Are your computer monitors in the first picture 4x3 screens?

I used to have 2 4x3 screens but one went wrong so it was replaced by a 16x9 screen. The studio computer doesn't get used so much these days - much of the work is done by the laptop in front of the mixing desk now as the audio interfaces that I use the most require a more modern OS.

[James Perrett]

Good greif James, it’s one classic piece of gear after another, that's a nice 401, with an SME too, I’m getting jealouser and jealouser.

I bought it when it was unfashionable (the 301 was just starting to gain a following at the time) and have held on to it. The same with the other 401 that I have in the house.

[James Perrett]

Big Bertha is on the move



Big Bertha is in da house!



Whenever I move the MTR90 I always hope that it will be for the last time - although this time I know we will be moving her again (albeit just a few yards) in a few months time.

[Drew Stephenson]

It is a beast!

[Arpangel]

Good greif James, it’s one classic piece of gear after another, that's a nice 401, with an SME too, I’m getting jealouser and jealouser.

I bought it when it was unfashionable (the 301 was just starting to gain a following at the time) and have held on to it. The same with the other 401 that I have in the house.

Two!



I bought a 401 second-hand for £45 in 1978, it came with the SME plinth, huge thing, and an SME 12 inch arm, I actually didn’t like it that much, sounded a bit lifeless, I changed it for a Michell Reference, which I wish I still had.
I knew a guy at the time who was a part time hi-fi dealer, got some great bargains from him.

[James Perrett]

Progress has been a bit slow over the last few days thanks to the weather and waiting for materials but we are on the move again with the start of some bricklaying...





.

[BillB]

If, as appears to be the case, you are re-using your old bricks, well done. Not always the easiest, sometimes not the cheapest (labour to clean them up) but definitely the most sustainable.

[James Perrett]

If, as appears to be the case, you are re-using your old bricks, well done. Not always the easiest, sometimes not the cheapest (labour to clean them up) but definitely the most sustainable.

Yes, we are re-using quite a few of the bricks - fortunately we have a source of cheap labour here

[Arpangel]

Just spotted that Nakamichi, it never ends, I'm the Hercule Poirot of hi-fi.

[James Perrett]

Just spotted that Nakamichi, it never ends, I'm the Hercule Poirot of hi-fi.

I'm impressed considering there was only about a quarter of the front panel in shot and missing the really interesting unique bit (though I guess you can see the name if you zoom in).

Edit to add - but can you spot what is strange about the Otari's heads?

[Arpangel]

Just spotted that Nakamichi, it never ends, I'm the Hercule Poirot of hi-fi.

I'm impressed considering there was only about a quarter of the front panel in shot and missing the really interesting unique bit (though I guess you can see the name if you zoom in).

Edit to add - but can you spot what is strange about the Otari's heads?

You’ve got me there James, is it a 16 track head block?

[James Perrett]

You’ve got me there James, is it a 16 track head block?

You are close - the play head is 16 track while the record head is 24 track so I can choose which format I want to play with just the flick of a switch.

[Arpangel]

You’ve got me there James, is it a 16 track head block?

You are close - the play head is 16 track while the record head is 24 track so I can choose which format I want to play with just the flick of a switch.

Interesting! but how does this work if you want to play back 24 tracks? do you have a spare head block?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Play from the 24 track record head using the sync playback mode. In the olden days there was a noticeable quality loss using the rec head for replay, usually because the head gap was wider and the electronics didn't have the right EQ etc... but not in the Otari.

I have a similar function in my Revox PR99 — half -track replay head, quarter-track record head used only for replay via the Sync head buttons. (Record functions disabled)

[James Perrett]

Yes, the record head has a dual winding with the windings in parallel for recording and in series for playback so better optimised for each function. I bought the 24 track head from a dealer in the Netherlands and was expecting to receive a playback head but when the record head arrived I tried it and the results were good so I kept it.

[trunkdog]

Fascinating stuff… From a fly on the wall Me? I'm entering the second decade of trying to build my first studio
Thx for the entertainment JP.

[tacitus]

Golly! The energy in these rebuilds! I’m in my third year of dithering about a reshuffle of my listening room - I hesitate to call it a studio as I do so little work in it.

However, after struggling with a passive monitor controller I bought a Nero (so I can fiddle … ) which will integrate my studio and hifi systems. Actually quite important, as my reference points are generally existing classical LPs and CDs.

Now we’re hitting bad weather I’ve worked out how to do it without leaving half the furniture outside while it’s all shifted. Even the mental effort of that’s given me gyp.

But, a few more items into my log cabin and I can start. The studio builds featured here are definitely urging me on!

When it’s all done it’s going to feature an “organ loft”, alas, not a pipe job, but my Nord C2D with a choice of the Nord pedals or a set of radiating pedals I got for free (benefit of being in the local organists’ association). If only I could play it! Still, it’s going to be accessible to sit down and play, without losing me space beyond one of the five Kallax units I have for record storage. Four is ample, if I take the other junk out.

My lofty (ho, ho!) ambition is to be able to play the organ in church without embarrassing myself and losing sleep the night before.

Just to put this in perspective, the move involves no groundwork, no bricklaying, almost no carpentry and keeping the sofa in use through the whole project. I’m particularly proud of that.

[Arpangel]

When it’s all done it’s going to feature an “organ loft”, alas, not a pipe job, but my Nord C2D with a choice of the Nord pedals or a set of radiating pedals I got for free (benefit of being in the local organists’ association). If only I could play it! Still, it’s going to be accessible to sit down and play, without losing me space beyond one of the five Kallax units I have for record storage. Four is ample, if I take the other junk out.

My lofty (ho, ho!) ambition is to be able to play the organ in church without embarrassing myself and losing sleep the night before.

Just to put this in perspective, the move involves no groundwork, no bricklaying, almost no carpentry and keeping the sofa in use through the whole project. I’m particularly proud of that.

Are you using Hauptwerk? A good way around the console situation is to use 61 note multiple master keyboards.
I've had an ongoing on/off relationship with the organ, all my life, and never took it far enough to actually call myself an organist.
If you’re into organs, check this chap out, very, very inspiring.

https://www.youtube.com/@SalisburyOrganist

I used to work for an organ builder, that was demanding, very stressful, but extremely educational.

[James Perrett]

I know I've been a bit quiet on this thread for the last couple of weeks. Progress is being made and I will update it soon...

Currently waiting for a delivery of bricks today.

[adrian_k]

Great weather for working outdoors