Video Documents Historic Console at Center of Extensive Studio Expansion
Pictured in Studio A at Power Station New England is studio director Mike DiBiase at the newly restored Neve 8068 console.
Power Station New England, founded in 1995 and located in picturesque Waterford, Connecticut, has taken delivery of a historic Neve 8068 MkII console as part of an extensive studio expansion. At the center of the 2017 upgrade is the legendary main recording space with signature 35-foot dome, plus four isolation spaces and the historic Studio A control room, which now features the vintage Neve 8068.
“We waited patiently until this historic console came to Vintage King,” recalls Studio Director Mike DiBiase. “We felt that the board needed to be as legendary as the room it was going into.”
Vintage King Console Technician Rich Hunt describes the procedure, “We cleaned the frame inside and out, cleaned all the wiring looms, and then we recapped and serviced every module in the desk. We cleaned all the switches and replaced all the faders with new P&G faders. We had new faceplates made, recovered the armrest, and did new woodwork on the sides.”
Power Station NE recreates the exact design and acoustics of the original Power Station in New York City, which was designed and built in 1976. Power Station was one of the most awarded recording studios in history, thanks to an acoustical design that contributed to hundreds of Gold and Platinum records.
Power Station NE enlisted console legend Ed Evans to consult and oversee the restoration and modification of the Vintage Neve 8068. Evans conceived and designed all the mods for the console and between him and the Vintage King shop all modifications were meticulously executed.
The console was originally installed at Electric Lady Studio in NYC in 1979, and was later located at Record Plant in NYC and most recently at Pachyderm Studios in Minnesota. The console played a role in historic recordings by such artists as John Lennon, AC/DC, Van Halen, and Nirvana.
Vintage King Audio Consultant Jeff Leibovich commented, “It’s always nice when the team that services the board can come out and install it, because we did final testing at Vintage King and then this 40-year old board traveled a couple thousand miles across the country. We love it when we are able to see it through to final install, to make sure the job is done to our standards and working flawlessly.”
“We put Vintage King through the ringer during its restoration and at the end of the day they knocked it out of the park,” concluded DiBiase. “There is something about this console that’s just magic.”
See the restoration video here:
https://vintageking.com/blog/2017/07/neve-8068-power-station/
ABOUT POWER STATION NEW ENGLAND
Power Station New England is located within the Sonalysts, Inc. media center, which houses five full production stages suitable for large scale concert rehearsal and multi-camera video production. Full crews, HD cameras and post-production is available onsite. The largest of five shooting stages is 15,000 sq. ft. with a 42′ ceiling. Waterford is located in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, surrounded by water on three sides and intersected by two major interstate highways. Located two hours from New York City and Boston, Waterford features a variety of accommodations and numerous fine restaurants.
http://powerstationne.com/