After a six years of working with his three Prism Sound Titan audio converters, Georgian producer, composer and sound designer George (Gvaji) Gvarjaladze has swapped them for a new Prism Sound Dream ADA-128 modular conversion system.
“The unit’s flexibility and smaller footprint were key reasons why I chose to replace my three Titans with an ADA-128,” says Gvaji. “Just one box can do the job of all three Titans – in fact it could do the job of eight! – and as soon as I heard it was being released, I wanted to be among the first studios to own one.”
The Dream ADA-128 provides up to 128 channels of 32-bit A/D and D/A conversion at stated sample rates of up to 76 8kHz. It provides both conversion and networkable audio distribution and processing, with a 2RU mainframe that can be fitted with up to 16 analog and digital IO modules (each of which nominally provides eight input or output ports, or both). Up to four host modules provide bidirectional multi-channel connections to host computers, workstations, networks, etc, with the ADA-128 providing routing between all of these inputs and outputs under user control.
“A lot of the work we do has a high track count, so having plenty of DSP power is essential for painless mixing,” Gvaji says. “I’m not quite at the point where I need 128 channels, but it is great to know they are there if I need them. And, of course, I’m getting Prism Sound audio quality, which is so important. All the best people use Prism Sound and I like being among that company.”
Originally a musician who played guitar and bass with various artists such as Irakli Charkviani, Giga Mickaberidze, and Lado Burduli, Gvaji now heads Lenø Records, a commercial recording studio and label based in Tbilis where he works closely with a range of artists handling both their studio and live sound needs. He also teaches at Tbilisi State Conservatoire and CES and designs recording studios, film production houses, TV and radio stations, venues and clubs.
Lenø Records was established in 2019 as a new incarnation of Gvaji Records, which Gvaji had been running for a number of years. The name change was an homage to Gvaji’s teenage daughter who tragically died earlier that year. Among the local and international artists who have worked at the studio are Nikoloz Rachveli, Katie Melua, Lisa Batiashvili, Anita Rachvelishvili, Gori Women’s Choir, Sergi Gvarjaladze, Nino Katamadze, LOUDspeakers and Stephane. Amongst Lenø’s clients are Deutsche Grammophon, Sony Classical and BBC. All audio services for Tsinandali Festival are also handled by Lenø Records. The studio itself has a large live room and a control room equipped with an SSL AWS 924 Delta console, a Pro Tools HDX system and PMC IB1S monitors powered by Bryston amps.
Gvaji’s use Prism Sound technology dates back to 2002 when Pro Tools HD was released, and, on behalf of the company he was then employed by, he decided to test interfaces that could work alongside it. Prism Sound’s Dream ADA-8XR converters were the choice duly installed, but when Gvaji left to set up his own studio he wasn’t in a position to afford one. At that point all other Prism Sound units on the market wouldn’t allow him to link directly to his HDX DSP system, so he opted for Prism Sound’s Orpheus audio interface and daisy chained three together, giving his 24 inputs to use with his SSL console.
The situation changed in 2015 when Prism Sound introduced the MDIO expansion module for its Titan and Atlas interfaces, solving his problem. “I adored my Titans and thought nothing could better them, but when I got the Dream ADA-128 and set it up in my studio, I was blown away by the audio quality,” he says. “It sounds fantastic, and I can hear every detail of my music, including every instrument. It gives me the ability to make the right decisions when I am mixing, and I am completely in love again.”
Gavji adds that the Dream ADA-128 makes it easier to connect equipment that has different clocking and sampling rates, and he’s also future proofed his studio because he can add to the system by investing in MADI and Dante cards, as and when he needs them.
