by Frank Wells.
Netherlands (November 8, 2010)–Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands, is being rejuvenated for a new century by a confluence of creative minds and with the cooperation of major manufacturers of professional audio products. Originally built in 1978, Wisseloord is renowned historically as a destination studio for rock ’n’ roll royalty.
“Wisseloord, in its prime, was known as a great creative environment for making music and was famous for its state-of-the-art technology and fine acoustics,” says engineer and producer Ronald Prent, creative managing director for the new Wisseloord. “Our overall goal is to embrace the rich history of the place while bringing back its cutting-edge status.” Darcy Proper will also sit on the board of directors, and head the mastering department. Paul Reynolds, who will serve as commercial managing director, describes the project as “a creative team of friends who still believe in the power of music.”
“With Ronald Prent having been instrumental in the development of the first Vision console, which went to the renowned Galaxy Studios in Mol, Belgium, API is delighted to be supplying a second Vision console for his use to Wisseloord Studios,” says Larry Droppa, API president, of the 64-channel Vision chosen by Prent for his studio anchor position.
Maurice Patist, PMC’s president of sales & marketing USA, calls the JV-Acoustics-developed rooms, “astonishing designs, which now feature the biggest installations of PMC BB5-XBD-A surround systems for a mixing and recording studio in Europe. In the mastering studios, along with a set of PMC AML2’s for close-field work, EgglestonWorks will be providing Savoy Signature speakers. “Since we consider ourselves firstly a consumer audio company, we respect and appreciate the foresight to utilize a full 5-channel system of Savoys at Wisseloord,” says Jim Thompson, EgglestonWorks president.
SPL’s Hermann Gier says his company is providing the mastering consoles for the two mastering suites, including an automated patchbay and motorized mastering EQs. “All products feature SPL’s proprietary 120V-technology,” says Gier.
Prism Sound’s Frank Oglethorpe commented that “with Ronald wanting the very best quality AD/DA converters, Wisseloord with over 100 channels of Prism Sound ADA-8XR conversion will probably have the most number of our converters in the world under one roof!”
Martin Kloiber, strategist for creative professional products and solutions at Avid, says Wisseloord is “installing a 40-fader Avid System 5 console and will have over 200 DSP channels capable of all surround formats up to 7.1. And, with the open EUCON protocol at the heart of this all, Wisseloord will be able to work with multiple DAW’s simultaneously from a single control surface,” including Avid Pro Tools HD systems.
