The recently completed Sound Temple Studios is now open in Asheville N.C.
In many ways Sound Temple Studios is unlike any other studio you have experienced. Wes Lachot Design out of Chapel Hill N.C. designed the studio. He has created world class studios all over the world, but for this project he was asked to create a sacred recording space within a world class studio - a “Sound Temple”, if you will. As it turns out, Wes has been studying the ancient temples for many years as part of his passion - architecture. He has included Sacred Geometry, a balance of the Four Elements, the Four Directions, Feng Shui, a clockwise energy flow, various other techniques and 20 years of studio design to create an amazing vibe in this studio. (Even if you don't understand this stuff, you will still LOVE the vibe).
The acoustics and the layout of the studio space are impressive. The large control room is treated with RPG diffusers, RPG Bad Panels, custom bass traps and absorption. Tracking and mixing in the control room is truly a wonderful experience. A prominent engineer recently commented that it was the best sounding control room he had ever heard and that he has worked in some great studios. The rather large live room (10' ceilings) is great for recording drums, solo instruments or ensembles that want to record in one big room. The three roomy iso-booths (yes I said three) each have a unique sound with the middle booth having the most lively acoustics with one entire wall of RPG Bad Panels for diffusion. Overall there are a total of six recording/isolation spaces including the two sound locks - all with great sight lines no matter where you are in the studio. If you would prefer to let everything “bleed” in one big acoustical space, the double doors in the 3 main iso-booths can open up for tons of ambient bleed right into the live room.
There's also a beautiful lounge, kitchenette and artist's bedroom/meditation room with full bath and laundry facilities. This creates a wonderful "artist apartment" for musicians to come and stay in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina while recording at Sound Temple Studios (perfect for a single person or a couple).
Studio Equipment Highlights Include:
Mixer/Controller: SSL Matrix Super Analog Mixer (analog mixer w/ digital control - 32 channels inline) and 24 I/O channels of SSL converters, Apogee Duet converter.
Condenser Microphones include: (2) Neumann KM-184s, Neumann TLM103, Brauner Phantom, Miktek CV 4 (tube), (2) Miktek C5, (2) Shure KSM-32, (2) CAD E-350, (2) Audix SCX-25A, Lawson L-47, Lawson L-251, Lawson Fet 47, Lawson Fet 251 and a custom Lawson Michael Joly K-47 capsule with Fet or tube, Oktava 012 (w/Michael Joly Mods), Sterling ST31, (2) AvantonePro CV28 (tube), (3) CAD M179.
Ribbon Microphones include: (2) Royer 121, (2) AEA R84, (2) Cascade Fathead IIs (w/Michael Joly Mods) , and (2) Cascade Vinjet (w/Michael Joly Mods).
Dynamic Microphones include: Shure SM7B, Shure SM-57, (2) Audix i5, (2) Audix D2, Audix D4, Audix D6, AKG D40, Audio Technica ATM25, Audio Technica AT650, Audio Technica AE6100.
Mic Preamps include: API 3124+(4 Channels), Phoenix Audio DRS-8 (8 channels Neve type), Aurora Audio GT2QmkII (2 channels Neve type), (2) A-Designs Pacificas (4 total channels), Focusrite ISA-430, Focusrite Liquid 4 Pre (4 channels of ANY Preamp emulation), Atlas Juggernaut Twin (2 channels), (5) Fethead inline preamps.
Compressors include: Tube-tech CL-1B, A-Designs Nail (2 channel), Neve Portico 5043 (2 channel) , (2) Empirical Labs Distressors, Focusrite ISA-430 (also a de-esser).
Equalizers include: George Massenberg Labs 8200 Stereo EQ, Focusrite ISA430.
Control Room Monitoring includes: Dynaudio M3As (main soffit mount monitors) bi-amped with Hafler 9505 amps with Bryston crossovers, Mackie HR-824 (near-field).
Direct Boxes include: REDDI Tube Direct Box, Summit TD-100 Tube Direct Box, RADIAL JDI, Radial Pro D2 (stereo).
Instruments etc: Yamaha C6 Piano (6' 11' Grand Piano in mint condition), custom made Phattie Drums with Istambul Cymbals, Yamaha & DW hardware, 88 key CME weighted midi controller, Taylor 414 Special Edition Acoustic Guitar, Kurtzweil Micro Piano,. Savage Macht 12 Guitar Amp, MXR 15 band EQ, MXR Dynacomp, Line 6 M5 Multi-FX pedal.
Miscellaneous Gear includes: Hearback Headphone Monitoring System. Apple 8 core 3.2 ghz computer w/24" monitor, SSL MADI Extreme 56 channel Audio Card, UAD-2 Duo, LG 42" hi def video monitor in control room, LG 32" hi def video monitor in live room, Mackie MR8 live room monitors, Equitech Balanced Power Supply, Lexicon MX-200 reverb (for headphones), Marantz CD Player, Aphex 124A Level Interface, Telos One Digital Hybrid, Coleman Monitor Switcher, Fostex D5 DAT, MOTU Micro Lite Midi interface, Peterson Strobe Tuner, REDCO TT/Bantam Patchbays.
Digital Audio Workstation software includes: Pro Tools 9, Cubase 6.53, Performer 7.
Audio Software Plugins include: Lexicon Reverb, Waves, Slate Digital, SSL (all), Universal Audio, Native Instruments, Sound Toys, URS, PSP, Bias, Sonalksis, Sonnox, Overloud, Flux, Izotope, Audio Ease, Avox, Audio Damage, IK Multimedia, Cytomic, Steinberg and others.
Virtual Instruments include: Vienna instruments Strings, Omnishpere, B4II virtual B3 Organ, Lounge Lizard virtual E Piano, Ivory virtual acoustic piano, Superior Drummer 2, Miraslov Philharmonik, Sample Tank, and Sonic Synth.
There's also a very talented and likable owner/producer/engineer (Robert George) to help bring your music to its highest level (gotta plug the guy who's paid for all this). In addition, Independent producers and engineers are very welcome.
Bottom line, whatever style of music you play and whatever recording style you prefer, Sound Temple is the recording studio in Asheville N.C. you'll want to record in. (BTW, it's also very affordable considering what it has to offer).
Blessings to all,
Robert George
