Studio B is one of the two 24-track recording studios in CARA. It comprises 24 tracks of TASCAM DA-88 MDM digital recording with an analog recording console the TASCAM M-3700. This console features VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) automation. Automated consoles are considered to be at the "top of the heap" by audio professionals becuase they allow for the computer control of mixing levels, muting and the like - features of the modern recording console. The TASCAM M-3700 is a 32 input console. Each of the 32 inputs is available to the on-board automation. This kind of technology allows the engineer (recordist) to control in "real-time" the independent level of each channel input. Mixing becomes a fluid performance which is faitfully recorded by the console computer and played back exactly the same way each time the musical passage is played back from tape. Using console automation the engineer is able to build a complex mix piece by piece - perfecting the audible result prior to recording on the mixdown DAT.
Each of the acoustically isolated spaces of CARA was designed by Walters-Storyk of New York. This is a very well known studio design company which has created many studios worldwide. Control Room B has many of the features that larger, more expensive control rooms have, such as a compression ceiling and exacting room symmetry. Some consider that this is the best sounding control room in CARA for mixing.
In addition to the MDMs and console, Control Room B has Lexicon effects processors (PCM-80 and PCM-90) Drawmer gates, compressors, DAT and cassette recorders and a sophisticaed 4-channal (quadrophonic) DAW - the MircoSound. In the photo above the device in the forground (on top of the rack) is a session controller for the 3 DA-88 recorders. This unit is used to locate tape positions and control the usage of the tape recorders during a session.
Adjacent to Control Room B is Studio B - the smallest of the recording spaces in CARA. This room is ideal for vocal overdubs, solo instrumentalists and perhaps for guitar amplifiers and so on. It is not terribly cramped but, more than two people may not work well in it. Control Room B also has sightlines into Studio A - often sessions are done from Control Room B where musicians are playing in all three of the recording spaces.
This is another view of Control Room B.
