“In the last year we probably had around 100 platinum records recorded through these consoles,” says House Of Hits owner, Vinny DeLeon. The consoles he refers to are the two Audient ASP8024 Heritage Edition desks he now owns. The first is in the original studio, the second at the heart of ‘House Of Hits phase two’ which opened in July, yet was still on the drawing board just a few short months ago.
“the vibe, the build, the analogue gear, the Audient console…people just love everything.”
Vinny brings some big creative ideas to the table when it comes to House Of Hits. “We are the go-to luxury recording studio in Miami,” he says – and this latest incarnation is no different. “This time I tried to go the extra mile, make it even more modern – more ‘2035’,” he explains. Indeed he has: besides the 24-channel Audient console with patchbay and some tasty outboard gear, the newest control room also boasts a fish tank. “I think the vibe is truly amazing!” he says.
“The fact that it’s an inline console makes for an easy workflow”
People’s reactions to the space – “just jaw-dropping” – seem to be boosting Vinny’s output. “I got another two Billboard number ones with Daddy Yankee in the last month and six of my records reached 100 million streams on both YouTube and Spotify.” That reflects in the amount of repeat business, suggesting that clients are appreciating it too. “I don’t know if it’s one specific thing or a blend: the vibe, the build, the analogue gear, the Audient console…people just love everything.”
According to Vinny, House Of Hits team members as well as visiting engineers have nothing but praise for the desk. “The fact that it’s an inline console makes for an easy workflow and the quality is amazing. The built-in patchbay makes it simple and straightforward, too. It has just been seamless.”
“I get great results as my sounds have gotten super-sized!”
As for Vinny himself? Despite his online alter ego, multi-platinum mixing engineer Mr Mix & Master originally confessing to “not being the most analogue mixer”, he now works on the Audient desk on a daily basis. “I went from using a laptop and headphones to an analogue console with $60k speakers, and the transition has been quicker than I thought. I get great results as my sounds have gotten super-sized!” Having recently recorded Busta Rhymes on an El Alfa remix for La Mamá de la Mamá (“a massive record”) as well as mixing the new Black Eyed Peas single featuring Mariah, he’s certainly been busy.
Now Vinny’s dream of opening a second studio has become a reality, he is keen to up the ante on growing his record label. “I’m opening up another four rooms across the street for my new artists and writers. My producer, two-time Grammy award winning Vinny Venditto and I are working on a lot of big records right now. I’m really excited about the future,” he says.
“My producer and I are working on a lot of big records right now.”
That’s not surprising really, as he’s also talking about working with his acoustician and studio builder, Christopher Bentley to expand even further. “With this business model we have such a great presence online – number one on Google for recording studios in Miami, over 300 reviews and a 4.9 rating – that we are going to go for the moon and franchise it in other cities, like Los Angeles and New York.”
Audient reckons you’ve got a shot at the moon and the stars, Vinny! We wish you every success.
