Renowned French recording studio, 'Condorcet', returns with a revitalized appearance, featuring a versatile room and the renowned Harrison 32Classic console at its core.
Harrison 32Classic Console Brings Vintage Sound to Modern Recording Studio
The Harrison 32Classic, a modern analogue mixing console, has found a new home at Studio Condorcet in Toulouse, France. This console, inspired by Harrison's iconic 32C model from 1975, is renowned for its warm, clear sound and versatility across various sources.
Olivier Cussac, multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer, and film and TV composer, chose the 32Classic for its transformer-balanced mic preamps, which deliver a forward upper midrange and a slightly warm sound. According to Cussac, the mic preamps have a punch and density similar to vintage models, making them ideal for drums, vocals, strings, and more.
The console's LPF (Low Pass Filter) is considered a creative tool by Cussac, with a "poetic" effect. The pan pots on the 32Classic offer a very steady and precise behavior across the stereo image, while the instrument input in the centre section can be used to patch a mic or keyboard on the fly.
Studio Condorcet, originally founded in the 1970s, has been reborn with a new location just outside Toulouse. The large mix room at the studio was acoustically designed to double as a recording space. The high-ceilinged room beyond the front wall is being converted into a 430-square-foot tracking space for bands or ensembles of up to 15 musicians.
Harrison, a company with over four decades of experience in designing, manufacturing, and marketing audio mixing consoles, has served various markets including music recording, film and TV sound production, and live sound reinforcement. The 32Classic's build quality, power consumption, and audio quality were important criteria for Cussac.
The 32Classic's historical significance lies both in its classic heritage and renewed modern applications, proving its lasting appeal to engineers and producers seeking analogue warmth and musical intensity across styles. Cussac has been working with the band Slift on pre-production for their next project on the new Harrison console.
| Aspect | Details | |-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Design | Transformer-balanced mic preamps, forward upper midrange, warm yet clear sound, harmonic saturation capabilities [3].| | Notable Usage | Studio Condorcet (France), modern productions including band Slift [1][2][4].| | Contemporary Application | Revitalization of vintage analogue sound for diverse genres from rock to orchestral [2].| | Creative Tool | LPF (Low Pass Filter) on the 32Classic seen as a creative tool with a "poetic" effect [5].|
The 32Classic's rich history, as part of Harrison Audio’s legacy in producing high-quality analogue mixing consoles since the 1970s, is evident in its contemporary applications. Its lineage ties it closely to landmark records from the 1970s, and its current use at Studio Condorcet continues the tradition of high-fidelity analogue recordings.
- The thriving Studio Condorcet, equipped with the Harrison 32Classic, offers a blend of modern technology and vintage charm in the heart of Toulouse, France, providing a versatile space for television recording, music production, and live performances.
- Incorporating a range of devices, such as transformer-balanced mic preamps, LPF, and pan pots, the 32Classic console delivers an assortment of audio options for creators, from pop to classical music, reflecting Harrison's extensive expertise in the realm of entertainment and technology.
- Stemming from an over four-decade background in designing audio mixing consoles, Harrison has catered to diverse markets, including music recording, film production, TV sound, and live sound reinforcement, showcasing the versatility of their products across various fields.
- The revitalized Germanium Linear Power Supply of the 32Classic brings a warm, harmonically rich sound, evoking the allure of vintage devices while staying ahead in the dynamic landscapes of modern music production and entertainment sectors.
