
Artist Spotlight: Steve Vai
-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..."
Read More"Currently I have 8 channels of BAE in my rack[s], which are invariably called upon, no matter what it might be that I'm working on.
Most recently I added (a pair of) the 10DC to my set-up. Immediately what struck me was the versatility of this compressor/limiter.
One can go from a very gentle 'Is this thing on?' type of setting, to full-bore envelope destruction - each opposite sonic pole sounding equally stellar. The real fun will be exploring the areas in between."
Samuel Fogarino
Musician/Recording Artist
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
I love my BAE 10DC compressor Limiter.... I've been using it for a while now.. Very reminicent of a Neve 2254.. but with quiet switches and smaller increments..It's got a gorgeous flavour that none of my other classic original comps have.
Jeremy Darby
Canterbury Music
What all 312a users say about clarity and punch is absolutely true. They are very versatile pre amps and aside from the obvious with guitars, drums, and vocals, I really enjoy using these pre's with bass and synth sequences.
Ilan Rubin
NIN / Lostprophets / The New Regime / Angels & Airwaves
