SSL On Wasp’s Radar
Wasp Studios in Bayswater, Perth has the distinction of being the first facility on the west coast to own a SSL AWS948 desk. Owner of Wasp, Derek Fernandez, was in the market for a new console for his studio, but as can often happen when you’re not living in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the MCG, it wasn’t easy for Derek to actually get his hands on any of the desks he was considering and try them out for size.
This is where Cliff Backburn and Sinclair Communications came to the rescue. Sinclair Communications has a studio in its own right, but the space is also a facility for audio distributors and manufacturers to demonstrate equipment and provide seminars in a secure, well-equipped room. In other words, if a supplier is feeling a bit nervous about whacking a $120K mixing console in a padded postbag and sending it to any prospective clients to try — Cliff’s your guy. Sinclair Communications will provide the studio, any ancillary gear needed to demonstrate the product and, of course, a secure venue and delivery point.
Sinclair Communications has had a long association with Amber Technology, who in turn were holding seminars around the country including Perth with SSL’s Chris Jenkins and Paul Lindsay showing off the new AWS948 console. As you can guess, the planets aligned and Derek Fernandez accepted an invitation to attend the sessions. However, Derek didn’t roll up with just his favourite Carpenters compact disc and Tandy microphone to try out — he brought his entire Radar system to plug in. In fact, Derek was the first studio in WA to adopt a Radar recording system, but he’s since upgraded to the latest version. Still, Derek’s preferred signal path is always as analogue as possible with the Radar often relegated to the role of virtual tape machine whenever he can. Much of the appeal of the SSL AWS948 lay in the potential to continue working like this.
Obviously Derek was impressed with the results, voting with his wallet in favour of the SSL AWS948. Delivery of the desk didn’t happen quite so quickly with a high demand for the new consoles putting pressure on SSL, but the crew at Amber Technology managed to pull a few strings and a unit was sourced from the first batch of desks manufactured this year (hopefully, whoever missed out isn’t reading this…).
So the console is now in place at Wasp Studios and Derek is currently having a fat time re-evaluating earlier sessions and discovering that the AWS948 is opening up a whole world of new possibilities to offer his clients — of which there is an extensive list after more than 30 years in the business. You can check out Wasp Studios by contacting Derek Fernandez on 0400 714 914 or wasp_studios@iinet.net.au
Sinclair Communications
08 9271 4993 or www.sincom.com.au
Amber Technology
1800 251367 or www.ambertech.com.au
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