Criteria Recording Studio was established in 1958 as an
outgrowth of founder Mack Emerman's hobby. Originally a trumpet player, Mack's
jazz leanings led him to begin recording in his home and later on-site.
Criteria was the first in the Southeast with monaural disc mastering and
stereophonic recording in 1954. The purchase of the original building in '58
saw the beginnings of a business in earnest. The facility quickly became a
haven for technology advancements. Multitrack recording saw it's birth with the
advent of 3 track recording in 1958 followed by four track recording in 1966
both firsts in this part of the country. Our spiffy 8 channel console was the
cutting edge of technology in 1964. The studio was also one of the first to
utilize a live stereo chamber way back in 1966. We like to think that the
traditions established back then continue today.
The original building housing Criteria was constructed in
1956. Purchased in 1958, acoustic modifications were completed and the history
began. Since it was the only room at the time, there was no need for a studio
designation. That however, was soon to change. In 1966 work was begun on the
first building designed and constructed as a recording Studio from the ground
up in the Southeast. Completed in January of 1967, this massive room
comfortably held a 72 piece orchestra. Used extensively to record the early
music for the Jackie Gleason Show, it has undergone a number of renovations
since then. Its most recent being a dramatic 1990 overhaul featuring as its
centerpiece completely restored vintage NEVE 8078. This room became Studio A,
while the original studio became known as Studio B.
By the end of 1969 and 1970, both studios were booked around
the clock and months in advance. With the monster success of projects including
James Brown's "I Feel Good", Aretha Franklin's "Young, Gifted
and Black", Derek & the Dominoes "Layla" and Brook Benton's
"Rainy Night in Georgia" it was almost impossible to get in the
doors. In early 1971 construction began on Criteria's third recording space:
Studio C.
In early 1972 Studio C was completed. The next ten years were
a succession of chart topping musical landmarks. From Eric Clapton's "461
Ocean Blvd.", (where Golden Beach's Mayor now lives) Fleetwood Mac's
"Rumors", Black Sabbath's "Heaven & Hell" to the Bee
Gee's "Saturday Night Fever". As with all of our rooms, Studio C's
acoustics and equipment were modified as superior technology became available.
The most recent renovation was completed in 1997. A complete control room
overhaul was coupled with an incredible sounding new console: an API Legacy.
just in case you were wondering; the muses are still there...
As the 1970's danced on and the platinum record count went
up, history repeated itself. Despite the construction of Studio C, every room
at Criteria had a waiting list. So we built Studio D. This recording space
offered a warm intimate setting. The control room was dominated by a custom
built automated MCI 532 console. Based on a long and beneficial relationship,
Criteria and MCI founder Jeep Harned found themselves on top of the recording
world. Introduced to Criteria by legendary producer/engineer Tom Dowd in the
late 1960's, Harned's innovative designs helped Criteria stay at the forefront
of technology. Equipment, like that console, custom designed to the demanding
specifications of our clientele set a standard we try to live by today. In the
early 1990's an SSL 6048 replaced the venerable MCI.
In 1979 the music business took a dive. The era of crazy
record label spending was at an end. The days of "... here's a bag of
money- call us when the record's done" were over. Massive studio closures
occurred nationwide. Criteria endured, however there were some changes. The
practice of staff engineers was abolished. Many went on to great things; among
them were Don Gehman, Alex Sadkin, Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. In
addition, the space occupied by the original studio B was retired as a
recording studio and converted into storage.
All bad things must come to an end; and so the recession
eventually petered out. The 1980's saw a string of artists leading they way.
Among them, Julio Iglesias, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow, John Denver, Meatloaf,
Peter Frampton, Bob Seger and Ted Nugent. With the business on the rise, 1981
saw the undertaking of Criteria's most ambitious expansion: Studio E. The
addition to the existing structure included new offices, expansive private
lounges and even a waterfall. Designed by John Storyk, Studio E incorporated
Cuban tile, pecky cypress, stained glass and 27 foot peaked ceilings. Upon its
opening, the control room featured a custom built massive 56 channel MCI
console and twin 24 track machines. Once the studio was complete, Criteria's
disc mastering facility was relocated to the new wing directly atop Studio E.
With the increasing sophistication of technology, 1984 saw
Criteria take delivery of the first SSL in the state. It was installed into the
still relatively new Studio E. Later the same year, it was joined by the first
digital multitrack and two track (Mitsubishi) recorders. In 1998 the control
room was completely gutted and redesigned by acoustician George Augspurger.
Stay tuned for more news on that or give us a call if you can't wait...
With the rousing success our first SSL, a second was
delivered in mid 1986. The space previously occupied by the Criteria Cutting
Center was modified to accommodate the second console and opened as a mix
suite. It became the new Studio B. As for the disc mastering room, it was
reopened as Fuller Sound. Still located in the Criteria complex, longtime
mastering engineer Mike Fuller purchased the company and promptly installed a
NEVE DTC console. He put in other stuff too, but that's his story...
Eight years later, our clientele began hinting in no
uncertain terms that forty-eight channels for a world class mix room was
inadequate. Studio B, (that's the new one remember) underwent a complete
redesign under the watchful eye of George Augspurger. The result houses a Solid
State Logic 4096G plus. And if our clients ever decide to leave it empty for a
day or two you're welcome to come work there.
So there you have it.
Trevor Fletcher
Studio Manager
