Dr. Dre Equips His Aftermath Entertainment Studio with a 96-Input SSL Duality Fuse SuperAnalog Mixing Console for an Upgrade
Aftermath Entertainment, the renowned record label behind some of the biggest names in West Coast hip-hop, has recently upgraded its main studio to a 96-input Solid State Logic (SSL) Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue mixing console. This significant upgrade, spearheaded by Head Engineer Quentin Gilkey, offers several key benefits to Dr. Dre and the Aftermath team, streamlining their workflow and enhancing creative possibilities.
The new console, accommodating the entire 96 channels Dr. Dre uses during mixing, boasts SSL's Total Recall feature. This allows for fast and reliable recall of complex projects, a critical factor for Dre, who mixes across the entire board and demands quick session loading without compromising sound quality or workflow speed.
The Duality Fuse seamlessly blends classic analog signal paths and processing with advanced DAW control and integration. This hybrid approach enables the Aftermath engineers to effortlessly switch between traditional analog tone and in-the-box digital editing, supported by SSL’s Delta Plug-in automation and HUI control surface. This flexibility allows Dre and Gilkey to maximize creative options while maintaining efficient session management.
Gilkey praises the console's unique depth, width, and height of the soundstage, describing it as an elevated experience compared to purely digital mixing. The console's SuperAnalogue circuitry enhances the analog warmth and clarity, crucial for the high-profile artists they serve, including Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak.
The Duality Fuse also improves recall and functionality, designed to meet modern studio demands where session speed and recall are paramount. Its multi-layer DAW automation, flexible routing, and extensive outboard gear integration capabilities make the workflow smoother and more productive. The console allows them to retain analog sound quality without the maintenance headaches of traditional analog consoles.
Dr. Dre's debut solo album, 1992's The Chronic, introduced G-Funk to the world and defined West Coast hip-hop. With the Duality Fuse, the Aftermath team continues to push the boundaries of sound production, capitalising on the console's ability to add harmonic drive to each channel path and to push EQs and compressors differently than on the previously owned 9000 K.
The transition from the older SSL console to the Duality Fuse was straightforward for the Aftermath team. The upgrade was influenced by the console's ability to recall settings quickly, allowing multiple people to work simultaneously. Solid State Logic is the world's leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles, providing creative tools for professionals in music, broadcast, live, and post-production.
In summary, the SSL Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue mixing console enhances Aftermath Entertainment's workflow by offering a large, fully recallable analog console with deep digital integration, superb sonic quality, and flexible routing. For Dr. Dre and Quentin Gilkey, this means faster session turnaround, enhanced creative possibilities, and maintaining their signature sound quality with modern workflow efficiency.
- The Aftermath Entertainment team, known for their work with West Coast hip-hop icons, have upgraded their studio setup with a 96-input Solid State Logic Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue mixing console, featuring digital lifestyles, technology, and audio devices that improve creative possibilities and streamline their workflow.
- The console's Total Recall feature, critical for Dr. Dre who demands quick session loading, allows for fast and reliable recall of complex projects, while its hybrid approach of blending classic analog signal paths and processing with advanced DAW control and integration offers a seamless switch between traditional analog tone and in-the-box digital editing.
- The Duality Fuse also boasts entertainment advantages such as SuperAnalogue circuitry that enhances analog warmth and clarity, crucial for high-profile artists like Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak, and improves recall and functionality, designed to meet modern studio demands where session speed and recall are paramount.
