The Crookwood Mastering Console: A Sonic Masterpiece of Analog Precision
At the heart of my studio lies a custom-designed Crookwood stereo Transfer Console – a marvel of engineering that has fundamentally transformed my mastering workflow. Crafted over six months of meticulous collaboration with Crispin from Crookwood, this console is more than just equipment; it’s an extension of my creative process.
This extraordinary console offers unprecedented routing flexibility, allowing me to seamlessly select sources from my Studer A810 tape machine, multiple high-end DACs, and route signals through 20 distinct insert paths. Each path is meticulously designed with premium relays, ensuring zero noise and absolute sonic fidelity.
What makes this console truly revolutionary is its real-time gear selection and reordering capability. I can instantly audition different hardware configurations, critically evaluating how each piece serves the music – all while sitting in the sweet spot, eyes closed, making instantaneous sonic decisions.
The monitoring section is equally impressive, offering comprehensive control: speaker switching, mono summing, phase manipulation, and even isolating side content – all in the purest analog domain. Whether I’m mastering stereo or preparing for Dolby Atmos, this console adapts seamlessly.
For any serious mastering engineer, this isn’t just equipment – it’s a transformative artistic tool.
Justin Gray is an award-winning mix engineer, mastering engineer and producer based in Toronto, Canada. He works with artists from around the world in a wide range of musical styles, in his world-class facility equipped for stereo and immersive audio music production.
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