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Electrical Audio

Coordinates: 41°56′21″N 87°41′38″W / 41.9392°N 87.6938°W / 41.9392; -87.6938
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Studio B in November 2011, with the adobe bricks in the background and a variety of vintage keyboards visible.

Electrical Audio is a recording facility founded in Chicago, Illinois by musician and recording engineer Steve Albini in 1997.[1] Hundreds of independent music projects have been recorded there. Unlike most producers, Albini refused to take any royalties from musicians who record at the studio.[2]

Founded during an era of increasing popularity for digital recording, Electrical Audio was unusual for using only analog recording technology, including mixing consoles, tape recorders and many outboard sound effects.[citation needed] The rooms are also designed to offer natural reverberation rather than adding the quality in post-production.[citation needed]

In a 2007 post on the studio's message board,[3] the studio's technician Greg Norman revealed that the studio had acquired a Pro Tools rig for computer-aided recording and editing, saying it had become "as important to have as a piano". Norman also went on to write that Albini, who disliked digital recording, "won't be recording with [Pro Tools]. So don't ask him about it."[4]

Studio layout

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The facility was built by gutting an existing building and customizing the space to Albini's specifications, including walls made of adobe bricks shipped from New Mexico.[5] Electrical Audio comprises two separate studios, A and B.

Studio A

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Studio A is the larger of the two studios and has three separate performance rooms. Center Field is the largest at 1,200 square feet (110 m2), Alcatraz is a 'dry environment' room and Kentucky is a brighter live room with improved low frequency linearity. The control room runs a 48 channel Neotek Elite console and can accommodate up to 132 inputs.[1]

Studio B

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Studio B is the smaller of the two studios with an 800 square feet (74 m2) live room and a 300 square feet (28 m2) isolation room. The control room runs a 36 input Neotek Series II console.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Tingen, Paul (September 2005). "Steve Albini: Sound Engineer Extraordinaire". Sound On Sound. SOS Publications Group. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  2. ^ "From 1994: Steve Albini and the Life of the Iconoclast".
  3. ^ EA Forums: Pro Tools and Digital Performer at Electrical
  4. ^ Electrical Audio – Equipment
  5. ^ Haines, Garrett (November 2004). "Bill Skibbe & Jessica Ruffins: Behind the Gear with Key Club Recording Company". Tape Op. Tape Op. p. 22. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
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41°56′21″N 87°41′38″W / 41.9392°N 87.6938°W / 41.9392; -87.6938