Legendary Audio announces the worldwide launch of its aptly-named Masterpiece analog mastering system. Conceived by veteran mastering engineer Billy Stull, with all circuitry designed by audio legend Rupert Neve, the Masterpiece is simply the most comprehensive and unique analog mastering processor available today.
Nearly three years in the making, the product is a 6U frame equipped with eight vertically-oriented filter modules that are reminiscent of vintage Neve designs. In the Masterpiece’s standard configuration, these modules are comprised of four stereo pairs collectively offering a wide palette of sonic amenities, including precision peak and shelving equalizers, a full-featured dynamics section, highly authentic tape texture (thanks to a real tape drive circuit), incremental phase rotation and various classic audio functions.
Although many of the modules’ topologies are based upon older designs, every circuit was meticulously updated to attain the highest modern specifications. “By reworking the ICs, transformers and such we’ve really coaxed a lovely sound out of this box,” says Neve. “In many respects, the Masterpiece reminds me of the famous consoles I made for George Martin in the late ’70s and I’m very pleased with the pristine audio quality we’ve managed to achieve with it.”
Both Neve and Stull view this product as a particularly ideal solution for breathing more life into projects that have been recorded in home studio setups. “Seeing that the price of digital recording gear has come down to the point where many amateur engineers and musicians are now doing their own sessions at home, the quality of these recordings can sometimes be rather poor,” Stull notes. “However, the Masterpiece provides an arsenal of tools that is very effective in enhancing, restructuring and repairing those types of recordings. In the right hands, this product can make even relatively lackluster stereo tracks sound like they were recorded in a world-class studio. And, of course, it can do some equally amazing things to projects recorded on half-million dollar desks as well.”
Pricing ranges from $8000 (euro 6200) for a basic unit to $19,000 (euro 15,000) for a comprehensive unit. For more information please visit www.legendaryaudio.com or check out our Masterpiece productpage (link below).