Angel move towards a tape free environment

Demand from clients has prompted Angel Studios to add another RADAR 24 system and a Pro Tools HD system to their equipment list.
The Islington-based recording facility, who are currently putting their main Studio One through an extensive revamp, are moving towards a tapeless recording environment as a direct response to the way in which their customers want to work. These two new purchases are indicative of this trend.
The growing predilection for tapeless recording is especially apparent among film and TV clients who make up the majority of Angel's client base. In 2001, 20% of all projects completed at Angel used a Pro Tools system. This figure rose to 50% in 2002 and the studio anticipates that by the end of 2003 it will have risen to around 60%.
Angel currently house a total of four RADAR 24 Systems and two Pro Tools systems, one of which is permanently installed in Studio One. The facility still caters for tape based formats, mainly because music industry clients are still demanding it, but Gary Thomas, Angel's senior engineer, says the emphasis is now firmly on hard disk recording because these systems offer more flexibility and easily match digital tape based formats in terms of quality.
"The increasing demand for tapeless recording amongst our clients is a reflection of a general shift away from tape-based recording, which is much less flexible. These days, composers and producers want the option of working in project studios or on location, before coming to a facility like Angel to add orchestral tracks or to mix or overdub. With hard disk they can have all the flexibility they need without sacrificing anything in terms of quality or cost," Thomas added.
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