Alicia Keys’ private facility, The Oven Studios in New York City, has taken delivery of a 48-channel Solid State Logic Duality console from SSL. The Duality, which joins the SSL AWS 900 Analogue Workstation System installed in 2005, is housed in The Oven’s newly-constructed mix studio. Keys’ upcoming album will be mixed on the Duality console.
Duality was the only choice for The Oven’s new mix room, says engineer Ann Mincieli, who has worked with Keys from her multi-Platinum debut Songs in A Minor to the present. “It’s a dual-function desk,” Mincieli notes. “I love the fact that you get 48 channels of mic preamps and the classic SSL gates and compressors on every channel. You can also connect a mouse and monitor to it and it serves as an interface with Pro Tools. I especially love the third-harmonic distortion knob on every channel.”
Duality’s Variable Harmonic Drive circuitry introduces controlled distortion of either second or third harmonic, providing variable valve-type warmth or transistor-type distortion on every channel. The VHD mic preamp is featured on every channel, in addition to the sound of the XL 9000 K SuperAnalogue mic pre.
“We started the Oven with an AWS 900 and loved it,” Mincieli recalls. “When SSL was ready to unveil Duality, I thought it would be a great opportunity. Duality has a lot of the features of the AWS 900, plus all the extras that I would have in a large-format desk. Duality is where the future is going, and it’s also a ‘best-of’ console, incorporating a lot of features from many of SSL’s previous consoles.”
For more information, visit www.solid-state-logic.com and www.krucialkeys.com.
