Sound Emporium’s staff is pictured with the newly installed 48-channel API Legacy Plus console.
Sound Emporium Studios is a go-to destination for artists including Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, and Alison Krauss, not to mention major projects by T-Bone Burnett. The facilities, built by “Cowboy” Jack Clement in 1969, are the birthplace of legendary recordings including Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler, REM’s Document, Sammy Davis Jr.’s final album, as well as Taylor Swift’s first album. To meet the growing needs of its diverse clients, Sound Emporium consulted Rob Dennis at API reseller Rack-N-Roll, who directed the studio toward a 48-channel Legacy Plus console.
“Our clients have long requested an API in that room,” says studio manager, Juanita Copeland. “The flexibility, build and sonic quality, along with the reputation of API made it an easy decision. It just brings together a lot of great API sonic solutions into one user-friendly package. Having the 2500 bus compressor is the icing on the cake.” Copeland also mentioned having 48 inputs, 48 returns, and 12 aux inputs is a huge improvement to the studio’s former setup. The room can also be used for mixing now thanks to the Uptown 2 automation.
Since commissioning the console early this summer, it’s been used for tracking, overdubs, and some mixing. The Legacy Plus is already booked for major clients in the coming months, including one of the top 100 guitar players of all time, and a critically-acclaimed alternative country artist. Recordings for the hit ABC show Nashville are also booked for when filming resumes this month, as well as several rock projects later in the year. “We are just thrilled to finally have such an amazing console in that historic room!” adds Copeland.
For more information, visit www.apiaudio.com and www.soundemporiumstudios.com.
