Of course with any studio it’s important to know that your music is going through the best stuff available (and see what it looks like too). At Kog we specialise in using a great selection of some of the world’s best analog valve and solid state gear. We also use the top of the line digital stuff too. Here’s some of the gear we have on hand.
Manley Vari-Mu (Mastering Version) - Valve limiter. The Vari-Mu is used on more current gold and platinum albums than any other limiter in the world.
Manley Massive Passive EQ - 4 band parametric valve EQ. Another staple in top mastering studios around the world
Manley ELOP limiter - Valve optical limiter. A similar feel to the legendary LA-2A, but stereo for mastering.
API 7600 Channel Strip [x2] - Comprising of the 212L Pre-Amp, 550A EQ (our personal favourite EQ ever) and the 225L Compressor. Top of the line solid state circuitry.
API 2500 Master Buss compressor - A truly legendary solid state stereo compressor.
Sontec MEP-250 EQ [Muller re-model] - One of the most revered solid state EQ’s. First released in 1971 it was one of the first Parametric EQ’s and is still a staple in many of the high end international mastering houses due to the fact it is awesome! The Sontec is considered one of the ‘Holy Grail’s’ for high end mastering. Made popular by artists such as Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, and more recently Pearl Jam.
Manley Dual Mono Preamp - Valve Preamp (2 channels). Especially good for strings.
Studio Electronics Pre2 preamp - Solid state discrete class A preamplifier (2 channels). Similar feel to a Neve 1272 discrete Class A mic Pre amp.
SSL 502 Blackface EQs (x2) - Especially good for rock or punchy drums.
Neve 1084 [re-model] (x2) - A reworking of the Rolls Royce of Neve EQ’s. Rated as the next level up from the 1073’s, they have 4 bands instead of 3, and great for that classic British sound. Coming in the next few weeks.
Speck ASC EQ (transformer option) - Our current favourite EQ for snares. Amazing on Bass too. Super tight sound and amazing top end. Recommended by the prosoundnetwork, and for good reasons.
Chameleon Labs 7602 Pre/EQ’s (X2) - Made with similar circuitry to the Neve 1073, but with their own characteristic tough sheen. Really useful for when you want the Neve punch but with an added zing in the top end, and especially good on snares and Drum n Bass stuff. (Editors choice 2007 - Electronic Musician Mag).
Ekadek Mixmaster ‘The Phatomotron’ - 4 channels of Neve style solid state pre amps plus 2 channels of valve 1950’s style pres. Big dials for big sound! Well done to Greg Brice.
Lavry Blue DA/AD convertors - Some of the most sought after audio convertors in the world and the convertors of choice in many of the worlds top mastering studios. Once you hear them you’ll know why.
SSL Alphalink SX - DA/AD convertors - 24 channels of DA/AD conversion, and a further 24 of AES/EBU. Our back up convertors for when dealing with more tracks on passes, and great for stems mastering/mixing.
Manley Reference Mic - Top of the line Cardioid Mic. Used by a range of top artists for vocals (Like David Bowie and Beyonce) and also great for guitars.
We also are lucky enough to have a range of other Mics from companies like Neumann, and Blue, and a stack of different Red Witch guitar pedals which don’t just have to be used for guitars of course.
On the software side we have all the high end standards, Waves Diamond Bundle, an extensive range of UAD analog emulations and their Precision range, plus other favourites for audio post like Bias-Inc and Audio Ease. If you are a bit pitchy or want to sound like T-Pain we have not just Antares Autotune, but also the more musical and realistic alternative Celemony’s Melodyne.
