Producer, musician, recording and mixing engineer Fede Soto Roland has recently taken delivery of a brand new ASP8024-HE console for his Negril Music Studio. Based in Buenos Aires yet inspired by the music styles of Jamaica – everything from reggae to ska and dancehall – the studio’s latest addition is the culmination of a four-year shift towards analogue and represents the beginning of a new era for Fede and his clients.
“[ASP8024-HE] gives me the opportunity to start expanding my analogue chain with no limits”
He opened the studio back in 2017. At the time his setup was almost entirely digital. Over the years he has released over 110 songs including three well-received Spanish Tributes to Gregory Isaacs (‘Reggae Album Of The Year in Argentina’, 2017), Israel Vibration and Don Carlos. “As I got more and more involved in the production of albums and singles however, I became more aware of the difference of having a hybrid setup. So after a few years I decided to add more hardware.
It was whilst the world was in the grip of a global pandemic that Fede got really motivated. “In 2020 realised I wanted to go all-in with my idea of professionalising the studio,” he explains. “I started to buy more hardware – for the mastering chain in particular. I believe that there is something about hardware that digital plug-ins still can’t capture. The more hardware I bought …well, it is like a drug – you just can’t stop!” he laughs. “Then the time came to explore analogue consoles.”
“ I have to admit the way it looks played a key role, too”
Originally in the market for Audient’s more compact ASP4816 console, he did his research and decided that in fact, ASP8024 Heritage Edition would serve him best. “When I discovered the functionalities and aesthetics of the ASP8024-HE, there was no turning back. This console gives me the opportunity to start expanding my analogue chain with no limits. Its versatility, its many send/return options, the point of being an in-line console that makes things so easy and fast when tracking, the quality of its mix-bus, its integration with the DAW through its DLC module and the fact that is made from a recognized brand like Audient in the UK, were many of the reasons for my selection.
“Also I have to admit the way it looks played a key role, too. I believe it will be an essential differentiator in the marketing of my studio in the years to come. Everyone who sees it automatically falls in love.”
ASP8024-HE: “an in-line console that makes things so easy and fast when tracking”
Indeed, the arrival of the new analogue console at Negril Music Studio has helped broaden its musical horizons as well. “I am partnering with some top-notch local producers to start recording and mixing other styles beyond reggae music, such as indie rock, pop and electronic music. I am pretty excited about this and I couldn’t attract such talented people without my new setup,” adds Fede.
Having said that he is currently back in familiar territory, working with Bahiano, former lead singer and composer of reggae group Los Pericos (the band that popularized reggae music in Latinamerica). Producing, recording and mixing his new album, as well as a new Spanish Tribute, this time to Black Uhuru, with guest singers like Quique Neira, Balaguero and Kingo Roots from Chile, and many other talented artists from the region.
Fede concludes, “I fell in love with reggae music when I was a teenager more than 33 years ago. Ever since then I have dreamt of having my own music studio; to produce and record my music and other talented artists from Latin America – and the whole world.” It looks like that dream has finally come true.
See what’s going on at Negril Music Studio on Instagram.
Get your ASP8024 in Argentina at Planeta Analógico
