This is why big analog boards are EXPENSIVE

[jsteiger]

Originally Posted by crypticglobe

I am 99% sure that desk only went in a few months ago. The Trident was still there this past summer... I am almost positive.

In looking at Blackbird's site, there was a news letter that announced the install of the Legacy. Its was dated September of this year.

You are correct crypticglobe.

I guess the Big and Rich stuff could not have been done on this desk then. Sure would like to know more about it and Bartley Pursley. Does he ever hang on gs???

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Mike O

It is probably significant that GM has quite a room at Blackbird. Really nice to see this kind o investment being made.

I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if that investment can pay off in the long run taking today's studio environment into account.

Let's face it, Blackbird is a business and as a business they wouldn't buy something like this if it wasn't going to help their bottom line. That is what I am interested in. What was the marketing driver that got them to switch from the Trident?

They have to factor in the money they are going to get from the old board and then take the difference as a total cost including install against their rate card. They did the math and came up with a number that made economical sense, I just wounder what that math looks like. How long do they think it will take this board to start making money and is it going to make that much more than the Trident?

Either way I wish them luck and man that sure is a thing of beauty.

[dingo]

All this for just 23,810 EASY payments of $19.95!!!

(some assembly required)

[GILFOIL]

nice!!!($$$$$$)

[jsteiger]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if that investment can pay off in the long run taking today's studio environment into account.

Let's face it, Blackbird is a business and as a business they wouldn't buy something like this if it wasn't going to help their bottom line. That is what I am interested in. What was the marketing driver that got them to switch from the Trident?

They have to factor in the money they are going to get from the old board and then take the difference as a total cost including install against their rate card. They did the math and came up with a number that made economical sense, I just wounder what that math looks like. How long do they think it will take this board to start making money and is it going to make that much more than the Trident?

Either way I wish them luck and man that sure is a thing of beauty.

Well, it sure is a business. A "one of kind" business. Keep in mind that the majority of their work is big-time major labor stuff. I guess it pays the bills.

Check out their site and look at Studio F. It's a huge SSL 9080K. John bought it used. He said new, SSL was looking for nearly $700K. He said this room has been open for 2 years and has been booked for 11 out of 12 months for both years. Full boat major labor work. I guess it does pay.

John McBride is definetly living my and most of our dreams.

His secret to success and I quote "marry a rock star!".

[Drumsound]

Originally Posted by vin-gear

Well, it sure is a business. A "one of kind" business. Keep in mind that the majority of their work is big-time major labor stuff. I guess it pays the bills.

Check out their site and look at Studio F. It's a huge SSL 9080K. John bought it used. He said new, SSL was looking for nearly $700K. He said this room has been open for 2 years and has been booked for 11 out of 12 months for both years. Full boat major labor work. I guess it does pay.

John McBride is definetly living my and most of our dreams.

His secret to success and I quote "marry a rock star!".

Marry a rock star...AWESOME!

Keep in mind with a business that big they might need to buy a console every 10 years or so to make sure they have a nice stable, depreciatable tax write off...

[Mike O]

Originally Posted by Drumsound

Marry a rock star...AWESOME!

Keep in mind with a business that big they might need to buy a console every 10 years or so to make sure they have a nice stable, depreciatable tax write off...

And then thee is th Section 179 provision that allows them to EXPENSE, not depreiciate much of the cost in one year. Depending on all of the other things that contribute to their return (especially projected income) they may have seen it as the perfect time to buy for all kinds of reasons (client demand, consoles price escalation, tax benifit, etc.).

Nothing quite like success!

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by vin-gear

Well, it sure is a business. A "one of kind" business. Keep in mind that the majority of their work is big-time major labor stuff. I guess it pays the bills.

Check out their site and look at Studio F. It's a huge SSL 9080K. John bought it used. He said new, SSL was looking for nearly $700K. He said this room has been open for 2 years and has been booked for 11 out of 12 months for both years. Full boat major labor work. I guess it does pay.

John McBride is definitely living my and most of our dreams.

His secret to success and I quote "marry a rock star!".

I guess that is the point of my question. I personally would not invest in any business decision that was directly tied to major label work. Are the major labels in good enough shape to still have $200,000 tracking / mix projects? Will that be the case in 5 years when they are finishing paying off the board?

Obviously many of the big studios are in trouble, there is something afoot in the industry for sure. I am not saying this is a bad decision for Blackbird, I am just wondering what they see in the market that justifies this purchase when everything else is pointing in the other direction.

[Mike O]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

I guess that is the point of my question. I personally would not invest in any business decision that was directly tied to major label work. Are the major labels in good enough shape to still have $200,000 tracking / mix projects? Will that be the case in 5 years when they are finishing paying off the board?

Obviously many of the big studios are in trouble, there is something afoot in the industry for sure. I am not saying this is a bad decision for Blackbird, I am just wondering what they see in the market that justifies this purchase when everything else is pointing in the other direction.

See above post re: deductions that do not have to be depreciated over a long period. And we don't have any idea how the business is organized relative to ownership. It seem relatively likely that Martina's business alone could justify investments at this level - depending on how it is all organized.

I would think it a mistake to exptrapolate anything about the broader market in general from their decision.

[roostert]

To all those that are concerned about Blackbird's business model. All I can say is don't worry! John made his own money outside of Martina. Starting a sound company called MD systems, which during the 90's carried the vast amount of production for Nashville country acts. His company really boomed with Garth Brooks as his biggest and one of his first, loyal clients. The business grew and grew, and then sold out (can't say for certain how much or what percentage he might've kept) to Clair Bros. Clair now runs the shop and business of what used to be McBrides company.

When McBride was first starting with Garth, Martina had not yet signed a record deal. I'd say around '89 or so, and Martina was selling T-shirts for Garth on the road with her husband John, who was mixing, production managing etc...

Garth did not get Martina her deal however. She earned it on her own accolades.

I don't know the in's and out's of John and Martina's financial affairs, but if I had to bet, when they opened Blackbird, it was all done with money from John's selling of MD systems.

The studio used to be a one room facility. They have grown and grown, and grown. Great service, reliable equipment, friendly staff. World Class.

When you don't have to leverage your gear, you overhead is way lower! They are a class act over there!

[hawaii82]

thumbsup

[jsteiger]

Originally Posted by roostert

To all those that are concerned about Blackbird's business model. All I can say is don't worry! John made his own money outside of Martina. Starting a sound company called MD systems, which during the 90's carried the vast amount of production for Nashville country acts. His company really boomed with Garth Brooks as his biggest and one of his first, loyal clients. The business grew and grew, and then sold out (can't say for certain how much or what percentage he might've kept) to Clair Bros. Clair now runs the shop and business of what used to be McBrides company.

When McBride was first starting with Garth, Martina had not yet signed a record deal. I'd say around '89 or so, and Martina was selling T-shirts for Garth on the road with her husband John, who was mixing, production managing etc...

Garth did not get Martina her deal however. She earned it on her own accolades.

I don't know the in's and out's of John and Martina's financial affairs, but if I had to bet, when they opened Blackbird, it was all done with money from John's selling of MD systems.

The studio used to be a one room facility. They have grown and grown, and grown. Great service, reliable equipment, friendly staff. World Class.

When you don't have to leverage your gear, you overhead is way lower! They are a class act over there!

Their story is so cool. I think she refers to getting her deal as the "purple envelope" story. I read somewhere that John got Martina a job selling t-shirts with Garth so they could travel and spend time together. She sent her demo out in a big purple envelope. Somebody noticed and then listened to her incredible voice. The next season she was still traveling with John and working with Garth...as opening act.

John definitely stands on his own 2 feet and still manages part of Clair Bros. He is so down to earth and the farthest thing from being arrogant, so maybe that is partially why he said to marry a rock star...a very humble man.

Sonically, his work engineering Martina stands up to anything else coming from Nashville and sounds better than most, IMHO.

I guess I'm just a fan of the McBrides.

[Mike O]

For anyone that might have construed my comment that Martina's business alone might be able to make purchases a good business decision. This was not neamt to imply that the business was built off that success. Only an example of one of the MANY ways that a large investment might make sense. Hence the caution re: us knowing ANYTHING about how their business is organized.

A great success story individually and together. What could be getter?

[jsteiger]

The subject matter of this thread is appropriate to share a little gear porn with the rest of the class. My slut friend Dave took this during our visit.

This beauty is perched in the island directly behind the custom 8078 in Blackbird Studio A.

What a lovely sight! Hooppie

[ocianic]

Thank-you for sharing..... Amazing!!

[roostert]

thumbsup

Originally Posted by vin-gear

Their story is so cool. I think she refers to getting her deal as the "purple envelope" story. I read somewhere that John got Martina a job selling t-shirts with Garth so they could travel and spend time together. She sent her demo out in a big purple envelope. Somebody noticed and then listened to her incredible voice. The next season she was still traveling with John and working with Garth...as opening act.

John definitely stands on his own 2 feet and still manages part of Clair Bros. He is so down to earth and the farthest thing from being arrogant, so maybe that is partially why he said to marry a rock star...a very humble man.

Sonically, his work engineering Martina stands up to anything else coming from Nashville and sounds better than most, IMHO.

I guess I'm just a fan of the McBrides.

[Acoustic Cloud]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Oh, this little console?

I just sold 2 in a garage sale......

[Rubito]

I'm thinking of all the bad direct reflections from the nearfields such a bigass console is going to cause

[Led]

I need something to lower my heart rate after looking at a console like that. Easy boy....settle down...

[joeyjazz]

Beautiful console, but if you want to see something really scary... go to their website and check out their mic collection. Holy crap.

[seriousfun]

Originally Posted by Mike O

I thought the desk was installed this year. Wrong? And I was told that GML actually agreed to build a new automation system for it. No idea if it differs in any way from any other GML systems (computer used, etc.), but it's great GM (apparently) agreed to do it.
.

Nope.

It's Flying Faders.

[Mike O]

Originally Posted by seriousfun

Nope.

It's Flying Faders.

Thanks for the info/correction.

[Ruphus]

Originally Posted by Stiff

Man, there's a lot of cables...

And pros standing on them.


Ruphus