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Steve Vai

Artist Spotlight: Steve Vai

"It just adds a beautiful air and is clearly superior..."

-Steve Vai

Renowned guitarist and recording legend Steve Vai has picked British Audio Engineering (BAE) mic-pre's and EQ for his demanding stage and studio needs.  After extensive testing and auditioning ten of the top products available today, Vai remarked, "BAE is the clear winner, simply stunning -- kind of magical."

In 1999, BAE carved out a premium niche in the vintage Neve/API market as the first company to remanufacture the 1073 mic-pre/equalizer since its discontinuation by Neve in the 70s.  After years of repurposing and racking up mic-pre's and EQ from classic Neve and API consoles, BAE now faithfully recreates new versions using original sources, including Jensen transformers, Carnhill transformers, and Elma gold-plated switches from Switzerland.

To decide on BAE's new 1073, Steve Vai did a comparison with the original, a modern day circuit board replica, and BAE's new unit.  "BAE has the smoothest and most responsive EQ I have ever heard," he commented. "It just adds a beautiful air and is clearly superior..."

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Hot Fuzz 2017 WIHO Award

I’d been looking for key pieces to use in my newly built studio for a while. I didn’t want a lot of outboard sitting in a rack collecting dust. I wanted timeless, work-horse items that could be used for multiple genres; something great for vocals, instruments, and my secret arsenal of virtual instruments. After trying a few modules that were good on some things but not so good on others, in walks the BAE 10DC and 1023 combo.

Fast forward to today. I find myself running everything everything everything through these units! They have the clean, warm yet current sound I need for a vocal chain. They give me the true depth I so desperately need for my live instruments. But more importantly for me, they help create the realness and solid sound I am looking for when I use virtual instruments! And this new flexible EQ range on the 1023 is a dream come true for a tech head like me! I literally couldn’t ask for anything more!!

In my opinion, cluttered studios are a thing of the past. Mobility and versatility are the name of the game. And once again, BAE has hit the nail on the head!!

"JR" Hutson is a multi-platinum, grammy nominated producer known for his work with Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Musiq Soulchild.

JR Hutson
American Soul and R&B Producer and Songwriter