LEC Studios opens Miami recording facility with SSL ORIGIN

LEC Studios has opened a new recording facility in the Miami metropolitan area centred on a Solid State Logic ORIGIN analogue console. The site is part of a broader creative complex developed by parent company Logistic Events Corp.

The studio is built around a 32-channel ORIGIN console installed in custom furniture designed and built by Malvicino Design Group, which also handled the studio design, acoustics and systems integration. The wider Doral complex includes podcast, recording and performance spaces, along with a production facility, concert venue and video post-production studio.

The project is the first dedicated recording studio built by Humberto Alvarez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Logistic Events Corp. The facility also supports a new record label initiative focused on developing new artists and serving established professionals.

A 9.1.4 speaker system for Dolby Atmos monitoring has been installed, reflecting continued demand for immersive audio in music and post-production. The setup aligns the site with a broader shift among commercial facilities towards rooms that can handle stereo, surround and Atmos sessions within a single workflow.

Malvicino Design Group selected the ORIGIN console in part because of its connection to earlier SSL desks that remain widely used in commercial music production. Horacio Malvicino, Managing Director of Malvicino Design Group, said the model offered a familiar sound and workflow while fitting a more modern production environment.

"I was such a huge fan of the 4k back in the day," said Malvicino.

He offered a more detailed assessment of the desk's sound. "Compared to vintage 4000-series consoles, ORIGIN feels slightly cleaner and tighter in the low end, with a lower noise floor and more refined stereo imaging. It strikes a great balance between classic SSL punch and modern transparency rather than relying on heavy coloration. Overall, the console sounds open, punchy, clean and unmistakably SSL."

He also pointed to the EQ section as a key factor in the choice. "It has a very aggressive and musical midrange character, excellent punch and a great top-end presence. Compared to later G-series EQs, the 'black knob' design feels more aggressive and characterful, which gives ORIGIN a more authentic 'classic SSL' attitude without sounding overly pristine."

Hybrid workflow

The choice also reflects the way commercial studios are now built around digital audio workstation-led production rather than tape-based recording chains. Analogueue consoles are still used, but increasingly as the centre of hybrid rooms where tracking, monitoring, summing and outboard processing need to work smoothly with computer-based sessions.

"Today's workflow is heavily DAW-centered, and ORIGIN works exceptionally well as the front-end for recording, monitoring, analogue summing, cue sends and outboard routing. What makes the console special is that it preserves the classic SSL inline workflow while adapting naturally to modern DAW-based production."

Malvicino said the routing layout was another attraction. "The inline architecture and routing matrix make the workflow significantly faster and more intuitive than many modern controller-and-interface setups. Compared to older SSL consoles, which relied on more complicated bus assignment logic and multiple button combinations, the ORIGIN routing matrix feels much cleaner and more efficient."

On channel design, he added: "Most consoles that have a monitor path don't have an insert point on the small fader."

Studio setup

The studio's operating model uses the desk as a front end for tracking while maintaining close integration with DAW playback. According to Malvicino, DAW outputs are normalised to the ORIGIN tape returns and large faders, while microphone inputs and tracking chains are assigned to the short faders.

"During tracking, most engineers use the console in split inline mode. The short fader handles the input path, with the mic pre active, filters commonly engaged and EQ often applied while tracking. Inserts are frequently used for compressors, EQs, de-essers or tape simulators. The large fader is generally used for DAW playback monitoring, routed to the stereo mix bus."

The console's microphone preamps and bus compressor also feature heavily in sessions at the site. Malvicino said the PureDrive mic pre adds a different character when its Drive setting is engaged, especially on vocals, bass, synthesisers and room microphones.

"It adds harmonic density, subtle saturation, more forward midrange and a slight thickening effect. It works particularly well on vocals, bass, synths and room microphones. It's tasteful and musical, rather than overly aggressive."

He said the master bus compressor remains a regular part of the mixing process. "During tracking, it's often used lightly on cue mixes, drum room compression or subgroup control, although it's not always printed. During mixing, however, it's used constantly. Typical settings include a 2:1 or 4:1 ratio, slow attack, auto release, and around 1 dB to 4 dB of gain reduction. It still delivers the cohesion, punch and forward movement that people immediately associate with SSL mixes, and many engineers build their mixes around it."

Mixing roles

For modern mixing, Malvicino said the subgroup structure has proved useful for stems, parallel processing and final bus organisation. He described common assignments for drums, music, guitars, vocals, effects and stem printing feeding the final mix bus.

He said the console's role at LEC Studios is to bridge older console workflows with present-day production practice. "ORIGIN succeeds because it doesn't try to simply recreate a vintage SSL console. Instead, it preserves the classic inline workflow, SSL punch, routing flexibility, analog summing and tactile mixing experience while integrating naturally into today's DAW-heavy, recall-based hybrid production environments. For many engineers, it represents the perfect balance between vintage console workflow and modern production practicality, all within a more manageable footprint and cost."

The ORIGIN console was supplied by Stephen Banister at GC Pro. Malvicino and Fabiola Mena led the design group team, with Diego Mejia as Studio Installer, Federico Petrone on system integration, and Adrian Milton and the Conacustica team handling construction.