Alto Elite Supported by Audient’s Solid Bottom End

A 36-channel ASP8024 Audient desk has found its way to Scotland, working hard at Beetroot recording studios with local producer/engineer Stuart MacLeod. Mainly used for indie records and demos, Beetroot studios’ threshold has been crossed by artists such as The Dykeenies, the Daintees and this year’s reputed next big thing: Alto Elite.

Nestled alongside a pair of RADAR V Nyquist 24-track machines, running in sync with a Pro Tools HD3 rig, the Audient console was installed when the new control room was built, and continues to be a hit with MacLeod, two years on. “The most impressive thing at first was the flexibility: I felt I could set the console up pretty much any way I wanted it, and I loved the fact it had balanced inserts everywhere – even though I hardly ever use them!”

“After I got used to it I started to appreciate just how clean the console is; I have a pretty huge collection of outboard so I can get the colour I want from there without the sound of the console dictating everything – it’s pretty neutral. It also has an unexpectedly solid bottom end.”

The pristine sound of the console has proved to be a real bonus while recording some of the bands that MacLeod has been working with. “The Fire And I material is very exciting and interesting, and working with The Dykeenies on tracks for their second album has been an honour and a joy,” explains MacLeod.

With his studio based in Airdrie, just 15 minutes by car from Glasgow, MacLeod continues to get excited about the creative process with up-and-coming bands; Alto Elite has already been singled out by BBC Radio Scotland presenter Jim Gellatly as an act he’s expecting to see big things from in 2009.*
“I think having the Audient has just given me space to lay out a mix the way I want it. I regularly use all 80 available channels plus the groups at mixdown. Once I had found the sweet spot for headroom on the desk, I was able to get mixes sounding impressive quickly – although it’s still the last 5% that takes most of the time!”

Check out MacLeod’s work on the web: www.myspace.com/stuartmacproducer