GROOVE ADDICTS UPGRADES

—Top Production Facility Takes Delivery of Yamaha DM2000,
New ProTools System—

Designed by Brett Thoeny of Boto Designs with acoustic design by George Augsperger, Studio A is used for live recording and audio post-production.

BUENA PARK, CA (March 21, 2003)—Los Angeles-based production house Groove Addicts has taken delivery of a Yamaha DM2000 Digital Production Console for Studio A in the company's recently-opened production facility, according to chief engineer Gerhard Joost. Designed by Brett Thoeny of Boto Designs with acoustics by George Augsperger, the floating floor design Studio A features a 5.1-capable, 600 square foot control room, and is set up for either live recording or audio post-production with the DM2000 and a 192K Digidesign Pro Tools HD digital audio workstation.

"Considering operating features, functionality and cost effectiveness, we believed that we could get the most out of the DM2000," notes Joost. "We wanted something that an engineer could easily manipulate and control, and have all the phantom power, mic preamps and inserts available in one location. The biggest benefit was that the DM2000 both passed audio and controlled ProTools. That allows the operator to work in two mediums, and eliminates relying entirely on a computer or having to boot up ProTools in order to listen to a CD or monitor a video; you can go right through the board to the speakers. When used in combination, you have a very powerful production tool.

Groove Addicts' chief engineer Gerhard Joost at the newly-installed Yamaha DM2000 Digital Production Console. The facility's clients include Michael Kamen, Danny Elfman and Stewart Copeland.

The high performance Yamaha DM2000 digital console offers 96 input channels, extensive surround production features, integrated digital audio workstation and ProTools control. While in 96k mode, there is no loss of any inputs or outputs, made possible by utilizing the newly developed DSP7 LSIs with 32-bit (accumulative 58-bit) internal processing. The Yamaha DM2000 also features downmix matrix, which enables L-C-R-S and stereo mix monitoring—ideal for 5.1 surround mixing to DVD. Multiple 5.1 stem mixes can easily be handled.

"Because of the smaller size, you don't have to leave the 'sweet spot' and operate this console. Plus, having all the onboard effects, including eight onboard reverbs, gives us tremendous power in the room. We recently completed five spots for Disney with Danny Elfman using the DM2000/ProTools combination. Elfman's orchestrator (and former Oingo Boingo guitarist) Steve Bartek did the sessions with a 15-piece orchestra, and was very pleased."

Studio A also contains a Pioneer 50" plasma screen and JBL LSR28E Monitors with two LSR 12p cabinets, configured for stereo or mono in 5.1. Additional outboard gear includes products from Avalon, Eventide, Lexicon and Sony.

In addition to the DM2000, Studio A features a 192K Pro Tools HD DAW, Pioneer 50" plasma screen and JBL LSR28E Monitors with two LSR 12p cabinets configured for stereo or mono in 5.1.

The new headquarters, owned by Dain Blair, serves as home for Groove Addicts' original music, sound design operations, and its affiliate, Who Did That Music?, and features two recording studios and two sound design suites. Studio B is a dedicated recording room equipped with a Yamaha 02R digital recording console and Pro Tools system. An internal high-speed network links all production rooms, and external T1 and ISDN connections enable the studio to do remote recording at 192K.

"Groove Addicts writes and produces music in-house for television, radio and film applications in four divisions," Joost explains. "The Broadcast division covers music for television and radio promotion and branding for clients that include FOX networks, KISS-FM, SAT 1 and various stations and networks in Europe, plus the BBC1 and BBC2 outlets in the U.K. The Commercial division composes and scores music for national TV spots for major advertising agencies. The Library division produces music for our libraries, for which we have over 500 CDs." Groove Addicts, the custom division, Joost says, houses the music production group which represents all of the company's composers, including Michael Kamen, Nicholas Pike, Danny Elfman and Stewart Copeland.

Recent projects include spots for Burger King, Honda, Disney, SONY and various radio stations. For more information about Groove Addicts, visit the studio's official website at www.grooveaddicts.com.

For more information on the DM2000, contact Yamaha Corporation of America, Commercial Audio Systems Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone 714-522-9011, email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/proaudio.