Lake Travis, TX (June 1, 2017)—Willie Nelson has renovated his Pedernales Country Club facility, purchased in 1979 but non-operational for some years, with the installation of a 40-input Rupert Neve Designs 5088 console.
Chief engineer Steve Chadie has worked with the studio, located just west of Austin, TX, since 1995. “The initial discussion about the 5088 was brought up by Buddy Cannon, Willie’s producer. He knew someone in Nashville that suggested we contact Rupert Neve Designs, since they are right there close to us in Wimberley, and the rest is history.”
The modular console is configured with 24 mono input modules with Rupert Neve Designs’ Shelford 5052 mic preamp/EQs for each, plus eight stereo input modules flanked with Portico 5043 compressors, with another eight 5043s above the master section.
“Twenty-four mic preamps are plenty for recording Willie and his band—and the eight stereo faders at the end act as a 16-channel summing system. With so many people working in the box these days, it just seemed like the thing to do,” says Chadie.
“I love the sound of this console. It’s clear and punchy with highs that aren’t crispy, but pleasant and smooth. And I like the fact that the EQ is based on different classic Neve pres coupled with modern design and mega headroom. I worked on an 8024 for close to 20 years at Pedernales, so grabbing the EQ on the 5052 is comfortably familiar—all the benefits without all those scratchy pots.”
He adds, “This board is built like a tank, I can patch from anywhere to anywhere, there’s headroom to boot, and I have yet to distort a pre or a channel. Plus, Josh and Martin and really everyone over at RND have been super helpful and accommodating.”
Rupert Neve Designs
www.rupertneve.com
