Noted drummer Kenny Aronoff is now using the British Audio Engineering BAE 312A mic pre-amp and BAE 1073 and 1084 EQ, combining his sizable collection of top microphones with the BAE gear to achieve what he refers to as a “stunning, very classy, smooth and rich vintage sound.”
With a style of playing that combines power and finesse, Aronoff was named the top pop/rock drummer and the top studio drummer for five consecutive years by the readers of Modern Drummer magazine, and in addition has played on over 30 Grammy-nominated recordings.
Before acquiring the BAE gear, Aronoff conducted extensive tests with a large number of competitive EQ and mic pre-amps. “I did shootouts and the difference is unbelievable,” he remarks. “The BAE mic-pre and EQ units are very impressive on their own, but the combination of the two gives a sound that is just so punchy and powerful.”
In 1999, BAE (formerly Brent Averill Enterprises) carved out a premium niche in the vintage Neve/API market as the first company to re-manufacture the 1073 mic-pre/equalizer since its discontinuation by Neve in the 70s. After years of re-purposing 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.
“Our gear is all discrete and completely hand-wired,” explains Mark Loughman (pronounced Lofman), who after serving as chief engineer for many years is now CEO and owner of BAE. “The original Neve 1073 mic pre/EQs are known as the Holy Grail of outboard gear, but manufacturing was discontinued in the 70s. Eventually that supply has dried up, so we have gone to the original component suppliers to continue the legacy.”
In addition to touring and working steadily as a studio session drummer in much demand, Kenny Aronoff also records drum tracks in his studio for a wide variety of musicians and delivers them in Pro Tools files with as many as 18 individual tracks for later re-recording and mixing.
“The BAE gear allowed me to perfect my concept of a flat and pure sound, so the artist and producer can do whatever they want with my drum tracks,” Aronoff explains. “I don’t want to second guess their sound. I want to deliver quality tracks that have the most to work with. You get what you pay for, and BAE has made a huge difference in what I was ultimately looking for.”
The entire line of British Audio Engineering gear will be at the upcoming Winter NAMM in Anaheim, booth 1769.
