Out of the two studios at audio/video post production house, SAV Studio One is initially the more interesting as it uses a combination of Lyrec 24 track and a Soundtracs CM4400 computerised desk for the basis of its set-up.

SAV has put much thought into its choice of equipment rather than investing in the latest trends. Consequently, they use Lockwood monitoring, Lyrec 24 track, a rack of DBX noise reduction, Teac X-1000M quarter inch two track, Otari four track and a Soundtracs CM4400 digital routing desk with computer interface and Commodore 64 computer.

All syncing is carried out in Studio One with an Audio & Design Q-Lock 3.10 synchronizer with full software updates. SAV uses its Q-Lock to synchronize just about everything that can be synced including Lyrec 24 track and 8-16, the mixing console and computer, both VHS and Sony low-band U-matic video machines, and Sony PCM-701 digital machine and Otari four track.

Studio One's control room is quite spacious with seating along the back wall and being fully air conditioned gives the studio a relaxed working atmosphere.

In front of the console is a wall into which are mounted Lockwood monitors (actually they consist of Tannoy Gold HPD drivers mounted into Lockwood cabinets), and a 20" video monitor. These are supplemented by additional video monitors to the right of the console.

The studio area is reasonably large and contains a good selection of mics — designed for most situations from single voice to rock band.

Most of the work carried out in Studio One is video post production, creating music, for, and putting soundtracks onto videos. On many occasions SAV found itself in a situation where it was required to salvage a soundtrack and synchronize the result to video. The versatility of SAV's system enabled the studio to be able to cope with the most difficult situations with relative ease as the Soundtracs CM4400 desk with the CMS2 interface synchronizes channel muting and routing to either video or tape depending which is the SMPTE source.

Tony Frossard, Marc Lacome and Greg Cutler, SAV's director/engineers, have developed an interesting technique for audio video dubbing.

When given a video on which to add a soundtrack and/or voice over, it will first be transfered from low band U-matic to VHS. The extra audio track on the VHS machine is then striped with SMPTE and then becomes the work master from which all the other machines are slaved. This is an advantage because the VHS transport is considerably faster than the U-matic.

With the multi track slaved to the VHS machine, the music or voice over is then recorded. At the mixing stage, both the multi track and Soundtracs desk are controlled synchronized to the VHS machine and mixed onto the digital Sony PCM701 (which has the spare audio track for SMPTE) or onto the Otari four track. Two tracks are used for music, one track for voice over and one track for SMPTE. Alternatively, the mix could be sent directly to the U-matic recorder which will then record both the audio and video.

The choice of which machine to mix down onto is usually dependent on the dubbing suite, and whether they have the facility to transfer four track or PCM direct to the one inch machine.

SAV demonstrated to me how they worked on the Government's Saatchi & Saatchi youth training scheme advert currently showing on national television.

For this project, they were given a two inch multi track onto which the completed soundtrack was mixed. To this they added a voice over, and sound effects such as the tapping of glass, and a tin can being thrown into a dust bin. When the mix was played without the CM4400's automated muting functions it sounded confused with different voice overs overlapping, and superfluous sound effects. However, with the automation switched in, the video was suddenly brought to life by the CM4400's ability to clean up each track, removing all unwanted sounds, noises voiceovers and music.

Studio Two is an altogether smaller studio and is designed for music production. The multi track machine, a 3M M79, is used with an Allen & Heath 32:16:2 mixing console. Once again, Teac X1000M mixdown machines are evident and the Q-Lock system extends from Studio One into Studio Two to link up for more tracks if necessary, while Tannoy Little Reds provide the monitoring.

Close to Studio Two is SAV's programming suite, containing a Yamaha DX7, a Greengate DS:3 (with its latest software) and a Commodore 64 with a very versatile sequencing package from Steinberg. Called the Pro-16, SAV's engineers claim that this package is better than Linn's sequencer.

SAV's extensive sound library stretches across a whole wall and is used in conjunction with the various video projects they work on, and as such completes the image of SAV as a self sufficient entity.

SAV's client list is quite impressive. In addition to the Saatchi & Saatchi, other regular satisfied customers include ICI, BMW, Duracell, and the Royal Navy.