Atlanta's Stankonia Studios Begins the Next Chapter of its Storied Legacy with Solid State Logic Duality Fuse Mixing Console
Duality Fuse impressed Big Boi and the studio engineers from the moment it was switched on: “The first thing that everybody noticed was that the overall sound was strong and authoritative"
Atlanta, Georgia, October 4, 2024 — For the past 36 years, through several changes of ownership, one recording studio in Atlanta has produced a string of hit records and Grammy Award-winning projects on the Solid State Logic SL 4000 G analogue mixing console in its main room. The facility, which became Outkast’s Stankonia Studios in 2000, is now entering the next chapter of its hit-making life with the installation of an SSL Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue™ 48-fader console with delta-Control automation in the A room.
Located in an industrial building in northwest Atlanta on a street once popularly known as “studio row,” the multi-room music production complex started life in 1985 as Soundscape Studios, where the SL 4000 G was installed in 1988. In 1990, R&B singer and new jack swing pioneer Bobby Brown bought the building, along with the SSL console, changing the name to Bosstown Recording Studios. Outkast — Big Boi and André 3000, the best-selling rap duo of all time — acquired the complex in March 1998 for their private use, renaming it Stankonia, which was also the name they gave to the first album they produced in the facility.
Moving on to a Duality Fuse
“The original SSL desk had been a workhorse, but the studio was eager to upgrade,” reports RENEGADE EL REY, Stankonia Recording Studios’ head engineer, who is also a recording artist and songwriter. “It was time… the building had almost 40 years of service from the 4000,” he says. With the Duality being widely used in high-end professional studios worldwide, it was the obvious choice to replace the old desk. “I'm familiar with the Duality and have had the pleasure of working on a couple,” he says. “I also had the pleasure of working on an SSL AWS in college. The Total Recall of the Duality is similar, but with its large meter bridge screens, multiple engineers can recall settings on the console at the same time. Recall and the speed we can do it in is very important in a commercial studio environment.”
Big Boi and Stankonia’s staff engineers were immediately impressed with the new Duality Fuse, which features integrated Fusion mix bus processing, from the moment it was switched on. “The first thing that everybody noticed was that the overall sound was strong and authoritative. That's the whole reason why we love SSL, whether we're talking about the SSL console or even about SSL plug-ins,” RENEGADE says. “We love SSL for what it does, because it brings a certain level of strength. Even when I'm mixing in the box, I use SSL plug-ins on my drums because I know exactly what I'm going to get from it — punch, weight, and clarity. We’re all eager to learn the Fusion strip, too! I heard that it can add a lot of color to a mix.”
SSL Bus Compressor
Whilst technology has leapt forward since the days of the 4000G console, the classic SSL Bus Compressor is something that has remained nestled in the centre section of almost every SSL console. “I’ve used it on several mixes. I did it with the G series console and I’ll do it with the Duality Fuse,” RENEGADE comments. “Once you start mixing into the Bus Compressor you really understand its magic — just 1-2 dB gain reduction and the track comes together.”
Duality's advanced workflow
Technology has advanced over the years, so Duality’s controls are laid out and operated differently compared to the G Series desk, he continues, but he and Stankonia’s staff have been working their way through the learning curve. “It's like getting used to a new car,” he says. Working with the Duality’s central routing panel, which provides access to channel routing, signal processing order and other functions, either channel-by-channel or across a range, has sped up the overall workflow and has become a favourite feature, RENEGADE says: “I would say a function that I love is the same function I didn’t like in the beginning, which is having to go to the master section for everything. Now I don't have to physically go to every single channel and change it. If I want to turn on phantom power or change from line to mic on several channels, I can simply go to the master section. You immediately feel the console speeding up your workflow.”
The new Duality Fuse is integrated with original George Augspurger-designed main monitors and a six-bay credenza of outboard equipment in the A room. During installation, the room was rewired so that inputs from the mic panels are now hard-wired into the console. “I don't really have to do anything in terms of patching now. All I have to do is plug and play,” RENEGADE says. “This will make things easier when Big Boi is ready to track live drums and other instruments.”
Stankonia's storied past
Though the studio was purchased for Outkast’s personal use, it has been and always will be a commercial facility for the public as well. The facility holds a sense sentimental value for the two as well as many others, as this is where Outkast recorded their vocals on a TLC remix, back when it was Bosstown. In addition to Outkast recording at Bosstown, a few others to grace the building include Elton John, Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin and, of course, the iconic Bobby Brown.
Stankonia, also referred to as the Mothership and "the place where all funky tha'ngs come from," is constantly busy, RENEGADE reports. In recent years, the studio has hosted the likes of Goodie Mob, Organized Noise, CeeLo Green, T.I, Rick Ross, Summer Walker, Latto, Snoop & Kurupt, London On The Track, and myriad others. “Every day isn't going to be a celebrity or Grammy-winning project,” he says. But the old SSL board did happen to win a Grammy on its way out, which was a blessing.” Killer Mike’s 2023 album, Michael, which was honored at the Grammys for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” was produced at Stankonia Studios. RENEGADE along with Stankonia staff engineers were blessed to win a Grammy for their work on the album project. “Legacy-wise, for the 4000, that was a hell of a way to go out, and we know the new Duality will pick up where it left off.” he says.
About Solid State Logic
Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast, live and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.
