MIXER

RAINDIRK LN1 "Symphony" 48 channels
RCA Broadcast mixer BC-7A

AUDIO MONITORS

GENELEC 1031A Certified Dolby Atmos™ system (11 speakers)
SAM Custom Subwoofer
DYNAUDIO SUB BX30 x2
YAMAHA NS10

MONITORS AMPLIFIERS

CROWN Micro-Tech 1200
DAUB D500C
YAMAHA P 2160

MICROPHONES PREAMPLIFIERS

NEVE 1073 Vintage x2
UNIVERSAL AUDIO 8110
TRIDENT B-RANGE x2
RCA BA72 x4
CADAC G320-J x2
CALREC PQ1785 x2
MCI JH-400 channel
TUBE-TECH MP 1A
GML 8304
SPL Area 5.1
Diego Barone “2.2” Microphone Preamplifier

TAPE MACHINE / RECORDER

ANALOG

2 MCI JH-24 24 tracks 2"
Dolby XPS SR noise reduction 24 tracks
SOUNDCRAFT series 760 16 tracks 2"
PRESTO N6 mono vinyl recording machine

DIGITAL

1 APPLE Mac Studio M2 Ultra
whit Avid HDX
1 APPLE MACPRO 5.1 ( 2x2,66 Ghz 6 core ) intel xeon processors
1 APPLE MACPRO 1.1 ( 4x2,5 Ghz ) intel xeon processors
whit Digidesign PCIe PRO-TOOLS HD 3 ACCEL
1 APPLE POWERMAC G5 dual processor
TASCAM DA-98 HR
TASCAM DA-78 HR

RECORDING / EDITING SOFTWARE

Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.12
Reaper
Logic Pro

AUDIO DIGITAL INTERFACE

AVID MTRX Studio
AVID 16 I/O
LYNX AURORA 16
DIGIDESIGN 192 I/O whit 192 A/D expansion card 8 in *
2 DIGIDESIGN 192 I/O whit 192 D/A expansion card 8 out *

SYNC INTERFACE

AVID Sync I/O HD
DIGIDESIGN Sync I/O x2

MIDI INTERFACE

EMAGIC Unitor 8 mkII

SOFTWARE PLUG-INS

AAX dsp/native [PRO TOOLS HD 12.4 - HD 10.3.10]
AAX dsp/native [PROTOOLS Ultimate 2023.12 pack]
ALTIVERB 8
TDM/RTAS [PRO-TOOLS HD 8]
PRO-TOOLS HD PACK 6 / 5.0
BOMB FACTORY
DIGIRACK
IGNITION PACK
ANTARES Bundle
WAVES Bundle
MASSIVE PACK 5
URS
TL
Fab-Filter Mixing Bundle
Waves 14 Bundle
Universal Audio Spark
Celemony Melodine
Sonnox
Liquid Sonic
Nugen
etc..

SIGNAL PROCESSING

DYNAMICS PROCESSORS

2 UREI Teletronix LA-2A
MANLEY Variable MU Limiter/Compressor
EMPIRICAL LABS EL8X Distressor
AMEK (Rupert Neve) System 9098 Dual Compressor/Limiter
SSL clone VCA (DBX 202) Stereo Compressor with ext side chain
2 EMT 257 Limiter
ADR Vocal Stresser F769X-R
SPL Transient Designer 4 ch.
3 DRAWMER Dual Gate DS 201
ELECTROSPACE EX1
ELECTROSPACE PRESSOR
Aphex Compellor 300 vintage
Aphex Compellor 320
Aphex EasyRider 4ch
Crest CPL 1288 Dual Compressor

EQUALIZER

NEUMANN W495 2ch Equalizer
GYRAF Gyratec XIV Parallel-Passive Equalizer

OUTBOARD EFFECTS

EMT 140
EMT 251
ECHOLETTE NG51 TAPE DELAY
LEXICON 224X
LEXICON 480L
LEXICON PCM 70
LEXICON MPX 500
YAMAHA REV7
2 YAMAHA SPX 90 II
Spring Reverb PEAVEY ValveVerb
ROLAND DEP-5
ARIA AD-05
APHEX Aural Exciter Type C
APHEX Aural Exciter + Desser mod.602
ELECTROSPACE SPANNER

MICROPHONES

2 AKG D 12
AKG D 112
5 AKG D 224 E
2 AKG C 414 B-ULS
AKG C 414 B-TL II / stereo matched pair
2 AKG 451 EB
2 AKG the tube

BEYERDYNAMIC MC 740 N
BEYERDYNAMIC MC 742 N (C/7)
BEYERDYNAMIC M 88 TG
BEYERDYNAMIC M 69 TG

1 DPA 5100 surround array
4 DPA 4006 / surround matched
2 DPA 4011 /stereo matched pair
2 DPA BLM 4060
2 DPA 4060 miniature

EARTHWORKS QTC 50K / stereo matched pair

2 JOSEPHSON E 22 S

2 TELEFUNKEN U 47 ( '50s)

NEUMANN CMV 5/B M 7 (1937)
NEUMANN M 49
2 NEUMANN U 67
2 NEUMANN TLM 170
1 NEUMANN KMS 85

1 SUBKICK custom made (ns10 woofer)

1 SHURE SM 7 B
4 SHURE SM 57
1 SHURE SM 81
4 SHURE beta 56

ELECTRO-VOICE N/D 868

2 SCHOEPS Colette CMC 5U
2 SCHOEPS MK4 Stereo Match
1 SCHOEPS MK41

MILAB VIP 50
MILAB EMBLA
MILAB LSR 1000

3 SENNHEISER MD 441 U
5 SENNHEISER MD 421

AEA N8 Stereo Set

2 RCA RIBBON BK-5B

2 ROYER R 122 mkI

ALTEC RIBBON 639

1 RNDI Rupert Neve DI
2 Active DI custom made
2 Passive DI custom made
2 Passive ReampBox custom made
1 RADIAL JDI
1 RADIAL REAMP PASSIVE

PRODUCTIONS TOOL

Vienna Symphonic Library
AKAI samples
AKAI S6000
ROLAND MC-303
GEM PRO2 digital realpiano
ALESIS QSR

MASTER RECORDERS

ANALOG

MCI JH-110 1/4"
STUDER B-67 1/4"
NAGRA T 1/4"
REVOX B-77 1/4"

DIGITAL

TASCAM DA-45
TASCAM DA-60 MK II
TASCAM DA-30
TASCAM CD -RW2000
TASCAM CD-RW 5000
TASCAM 301 MK II MD
TASCAM 102 MK II

HEADPHONES PREAMPLIFIERS

6 BEHERINGER HA 4400

HEADPHONES

4 BEYERDYNAMIC DT 770
2 BEYERDYNAMIC DT 250
SONY MDR-7509
2 AKG K-141

Our microphones and outboard equipment are constantly maintained, therefore it might happen that not all gear is available at all times.
Please contact us for any special requests.

BACKLINE

Acoustic Piano STEINWAY & SONS model B
Electric Piano FENDER Rhodes Mark I
Hammond B3 ’61 with double Leslie 122 RV and Tone Cabinet
Electric Guitar Gibson ES-125 TCD '69
Electric Guitar Fender Stratocaster American
Electric Guitar Fender Stratocaster Japan '89
Electric Guitar Eko Barracuda 62 (335 style) 12 strings
Acustic Guitar Yamaha 12 strings
Acustic Guitar Cort 6 strings
Banjo 6 e 8 strings
Electric Bass MacGuitar Jazz Bazz 4 strings
Electic Bass Warwick Thumb 4 strings
Electic Bass Laurus Quasar SL20 5 Strings
Drum Ludwig 4 drums whit
- 22" Kick
- 16" Floor Tom
- 2x 13" Tom
- 14" Snare
- Hardware HH
- 2 x Cymbal Stand
- DW 9000 Kick Pedal
Various etnic instruments
Bass Guitar Amplifier Ampeg SVT-Vr
Bass Guitar Cabinet Ampeg SVT-410HLF
Electric Guitar Amplifier Fender Deville
Electric Guitar Amplifier Custom (Fender Super Reverb / Bassman style)
Electric Guitar Amplifier CORLAND (vintage italian combo)
Electric Guitar Amplifier DAVOLI Professional 8036 (vintage italian combo)
Electric Guitar Preamp SOLDANO SERIES II
Electric Guitar Preamp BRUNETTI CENTOUNO
Various Pedal

EXTRA BACKLINE

INSTRUMENTS

Wurlitzer 200

DRUM MACHINES

Roland TR 909
Roland TR 808
Roland TR 707
Roland TR 606
Roland CR 68
Roland CR 78
Roland CR 8000
Roland MC 303
Boss dr 55
Boss dr 110
Boss dr 220
Oberheim DX
Simmons sds8
Viscount r64
Siel mdp40
Korg Volca beats
Novation Drum Station
Analogue Solutions Europa sequencer

SYNTHS

Korg ms20 mini
Korg ms20 MK1
Korg Minilogue
Korg Microkorg XL
Korg Volca bass
Korg Volca fm
Korg Electribe 2
SCI Pro One
Kawai Sx 240
Roland Jupiter 6
Roland Promars
Roland Jx3p + programmer Pg200
Moog Realistic mg1
Moog Slim Phatty
Ensoniq EPS
E-MU ESI32
Yamaha CS01
ARP Pro dgx
Teenage Engineering OP1
Logan String Melody

FX

Shin ei FY6
Ibanez Standard Fuzz
Empath UFO fuzz
Empath percussive tremolo
Empah perculator clone
Visual sound Jekyll & Hide 1
DOD trash master
DOD grunge
Boss dd3 delay
Boss pn2 stereo tremolo
Boss ps5 pitch/delay
Boss bf2 flanger
MXR phase 100
EH memory man deluxe vintage
Digitech XP300 space station
Korg Kaoss Pad 3
Moog Ring Modulator MF 102
Roland Space Echo RE - 150
Roland Space Echo RE - 301
Roland SDE2000
Korg Stage Echo SE 300
Ibanez DM1000
Ibanez AD202
Korg GR1
Korg DRV1000

BASS

Rickenbacker 4001 1974

AMPS

Acoustic 370 bass head
Fbt Jonas Hellborg bi amplified bass system
Davoli Thrilling combo tube/solid state made in Italy early 70's
Selmer TV8 blue grey truevoice with tremolo made in U.K. late '50 / early 60'
Leslie 122RV

DIMENSIONS:

Control Room (8 m x 5,3m)
designed by French acoustic designer Christian Malcurt (APIA)
Recording Room A (8,5 m x 6 m x 4,5 m)
designed by French acoustic designer Christian Malcurt (APIA) &
Studio Sound Service
Recording Room B (5,4 m x 3,7m x 2,7m)

INTRO

S.A.M. Studio, founded by Mirco Mencacci during 80's, is located in the precious 12th century village of Lari, in the heart of Tuscany's beautiful countryside, one of the most breathtakingly beautiful parts of Italy. Next to Lari castle, this residential recording studio offers Christian Malcurt designed control room is a 48 channel LN1 Raindirk Symphony console, several racks of vintage valve gear as well as modern equipment, Pro Tools rig as well as a 2" 16-track Soundcraft machine; a main live room (8.6m x 6m x 4.5m ) that houses a Steinway grand piano and a smaller recording room, in addition to countless microphones (a few of which are very rare) and backline instruments. Away from the session guests will have the sole use of a stylish apartment just 70 meters from the studio. Everything is inside the medieval walls of a lovely small village, that offers relaxing culture, good food and exceptional wine.

Lari is the ideal location to concentrate on the joy of creating music. This is a truly stunning place to make a record, in fact many artists having produced albums here; from Mauro Refosco to Irio de Paula, Stefano Bollani to Anthony Sidney, from Ornella Vanoni to Tony Scott, from Sportfreunde Stiller to Playing for Change, from Nguyên Lê to Marina Rei and more. We have also welcomed major independent Italian rock bands such as Teatro degli Orrori, One Dimensional Man and Zen Circus, as well as jazz musicians such as Paolo Fresu, Luca Flores, Enrico Pierannunzi, Danilo Rea, Enrico Rava and Eddie Wied, as well as sound engineers such as Patrick Dillet, Tommaso Colliva, Raffaele Stefani, Ivan Rossi, Giulio Ragno Favero.

CONTROL ROOM

SAM Studio's control room measures 8m x 5.3m. Here you can find a 48-channel Raindirk Symphony LN1 console, a model that has recorded or mixed live concerts such as the Three Tenors, the Barcelona Olympics, Pavarotti in the Park and "The Wall" concert in Berlin. ELO and The Traveling Wilburys used a Raindirk Symphony LN1 in their studios. The control room is equipped with vintage valve gear as well as modern equipment and clients have the option to use a 2" 16-track Soundcraft analog recording system or Pro Tools (32In / 56out). The control room at SAM is brilliantly designed to create a highly accurate acoustic. There is also a 2-seat sofa set away from the main area allowing clients to relax without having to leave the room.

During your session there will be two technicians always at your disposal. Wi-fi access and an FTP address are available as is a coffee bar and terrace with views of the hills.

RECORDING ROOM A

Recording Room A measures 8.5m x 6m and is 4.5m high. It features a beautiful Steinway grand piano and boasts a distinguished acoustic thanks to the abam hardwood diffusors installed into the walls in 2012. The room also provides some moveable acoustic isolation screens made from stone on one side and insulating material on the other, making it possible to modify the acoustics and/or to separate the musicians.

RECORDING ROOM B

Recording Room B (5.4m x 3.7m x h 2.7m) is characterized by a short reverberation time and is separated from Room A by a large window giving a clear line of sight between musicians. This room is also equipped with moveable acoustic isolation screens. Room B can also be turned into a second control room (24 in 8 out), offering the possibility to record and edit while other productions are carried out in the main control room - an indication of SAM Studios' versatility.

The machine room is situated above Room B, but thanks to specific wirings it can also be used as an amp booth. In addition to this isolation area, the stairwell of the studio is often used as an excellent echo room and is popular with all the sound engineers and musicians who come here.

LOUNGE ROOM

A relaxing room equipped with sofa, armchair, conference table / dining room, kitchenette, work desk with speaker's.

STUDIO ACCOMMODATION

SAM Recording Studio offers a comfortable studio flat consisting of a kitchenette, a living room with a sofa bed, a double bed in the sleeping area, a bathroom and air conditioning. It is located 70mt away from the studio.

RECORDING

Analog/digital for both live and overdub recordings, using two recording rooms. Live room A is 230m³ (8,5m x 6m x 4,5m) and Live room B is 55m³ (5,4m x 3,7m x 2,7m), both designed and built to be versatile in sound captures.
A wide range of acoustic, electric and electronic instruments to satisfy every creative/musical request.
A wide range of microphones and pre-amplifiers to create the right blend in every situation.
We also offer upon request on site/external recording, extending the gear according to the creative requirement.

MIXING

A 110m³ control room designed by architectural acoustic designer Christian Malcurt, a vintage analog Raindirk LN1 Symphony 48 channels in line console, AVID PRO TOOLS digital system and numerous outboard signal processors allow any digital or analog recording to be mixed, exploiting the potential of both state-of-the-art digital machines and valued vintage machines.

ONLINE MIXING

We offer an online mixing service, please contact us to request estimates and methods to upload your multitrack recordings.

AUDIO RESTORATION, ARCHIVING AND TRANSFER

In order to preserve you audio archives, SAM Studio offers archiving, sound restoration and digitizing services from any format, having available numerous reading devices for vinyls (33, 45, 78 rpm), audio tapes (from 2 to 16 channels, 1/4" 1/2", TASCAM DA-98, TASCAM DA-78, ADAT, Minidisc, DAT) or Hard Drives (Alesis DD8).

SOUND DESIGN FOR CINEMA AND THEATRE, MUSIC PRODUCTIONS

Our staff made up by highly qualified cinema, theatre and music professionals, is internationally experienced and offers creative expert advice to implement your projects, from concept to production with our 3D recording proprietary system. Staff at SAM Studio will be glad to explain you the potentiality of this system that can become a new writing emotional key.

REHEARSAL

Besides the recording, editing and mixing services, SAM Recording Studio provides outdoor installations, video creations and live performance services for specific events thanks to an agreement with the Municipality of Lari and the openness e reception of the village's inhabitants. Furthermore, the studio has an agreement with the Theatre of Casciana Terme, Teatro Verdi, for the staging of musical and theatrical performances.

LARI

S.A.M. Studio is located in the precious 12th century village of Lari, in the heart of Tuscany's beautiful countryside.
Lari's medieval walls create an intimate and cosy atmosphere around the castle of Lari. Everything is within easy reach: the comfortable apartment, the coffee bar, the wine bar, the typical Tuscan cuisine restaurant, the 19th century tobacco shop, other small typical shops, the barber, the historical Pasta Martelli factory, the small theatre, and of course the studio itself. In addition, there is an ice-cream parlour, a cash dispenser, a bank, a library, a post office, a coin laundry, a pharmacy, a tourist information point, a medical center and more.
From the Medici castle, which is right in the middle of the village, you can see not only the Tyrrhenian sea and the Apuan Alps but also, on a clear day, Volterra and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

SAM Studio Accomodation

As Lari is immersed in the Tuscany countryside, you can choose from a rich selection of accommodation options: farm holidays, bed and breakfasts, resorts, hotels, rented houses and villas with swimming pool, according to needs and tastes.
Staff at SAM Studio will be glad to help you find the best place to stay and deal for you of the booking and all the issues related to the accommodation that you will choose. We can create any customized project for you that include also your favorite accommodation or, also, few options of places where you can stay.
You can stay at a bed and breakfast just a few steps away from the studio or find a place nearby to enjoy the countryside and a swimming pool, no farther than 15 minutes from the studio.
SAM Recording Studio is situated inside the walls of the quaint and small medieval town of Lari where you can find everything you need to work in a stress-free environment and feel like you're on holiday too. For this reason, we consider Lari such as a big house and SAM such as a residential studio, because just with few steps away from the studio you can reach restaurants, bars and much more.

Here is a list of some accommodation options nearby SAM Studio, sorted by distance:

SAM studio flat

Lari (1-minute walk from the studio)
3 Guests, 1 Bedroom
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Ploner

Lari (1-minute walk from the studio)
16 Guests, 8 Bedroom
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Carlotta B&B

Via IV Novembre 2, Lari (3-minutes walk from the studio)
Average price: 40€ / per person

Residence Il Vigneto

Lari (7-minute walk from the studio)
Average price: 280€ - 700€ / week (it depends on flat size / beds)
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Dasya

Lari (7-minute walk from the studio)

14 Guests, 7 Bedroom, 8 Beds
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Cara

Via Querceto 56, 56025 Lari (10-minute walk from the studio)

14 Guests, 8 Bedroom, 10 Beds
Availability and prices on demand

Al Colle house

Aiale di Lari (15-minute walk/ 4 minutes by car from the studio)
8 Guests, 3 Bedroom, 6 Beds
Availability and prices on demand

Il Frutteto

Lari (15-minute walk/ 4 minutes by car from the studio)
The price depends on flat size / beds

Villa Iris

Gramugnana (6 minutes by car from the studio)
10 Guests, 5 Bedroom, 5 Beds
Availability and prices on demand

Borgo di Gramugnana

Gramugnana (6 minutes by car from the studio)
The price depends on flat size / beds
Availability and prices on demand

Villa In Volo

Cevoli di Lari (6 minutes by car from the studio)
13 guests, 5 bedrooms, 10 beds, 4 baths
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Letizia

Cevoli di Lari (7 minutes by car from the studio)
13 Guests, 6 Bedroom, 13 Beds
Availability and prices on demand

The house of the arms of Cevoli

Cevoli di Lari (7 minutes by car from the studio)
10 Guests, 5 Bedroom
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Mimosa

via Torce e Malvento 12, Boschi di Lari (9 minutes by car from the studio)
16 Guests, 8 Bedroom
Average price: 1900€ - 2900€ / per week (12-16 beds)

Villa Casciana

Casciana Alta (10 minutes by car from the studio)
14 Guests, 5 Bedroom, 8 Beds
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Bellavista

Crespina (12 minutes by car from the studio)
8 Guests, 4 Bedroom, 4 Beds

San Ruffino Resort

San Ruffino (9 minutes by car from the studio)
The price depends on flat size / beds

Il Poggio di San Ruffino

San Ruffino (9 minutes by car from the studio)
The price depends on flat size / beds

Vecchia Fattoria Castelli Farm house

Usigliano di Lari (10 minutes by car from the studio)
Average price: 40€ / per person

Poggio Al Casone

Crespina (12 minutes by car from the studio)
The price depends on flat size / beds

Casa Giovanna

Casciana Terme (13 minutes by car from the studio)
8 Guests, 5 Bedroom, 8 Beds
Availability and prices on demand

Villa Borri

Casciana Terme (13 minutes by car from the studio)
The price depends on flat size / beds

And many others

EAT & DRINK

You can eat and drink in the close proximity of the studio or find a place nearby to enjoy Tuscan world-famous traditional cuisine and fantastic panoramas.
Restaurants offer typical dishes made with local produce, like the typical t-bone steak or sliced fillet, pasta with wild boar or hare ragu, lasagne, ricotta and spinach tortellini, mixed meat or fish grills and much more.
Staff at SAM Studio will be glad to help you find the best place to eat and SAM studio has special agreements with all the coffee bars and restaurant of Lari.

We have arranged different fixed-price menus with the following restaurants.
Special requests or different menus are not included in our agreements with the restaurants.
Please enquire SAM staff or the restaurants about the available fixed-price menus.
If you have a short time to eat, SAM staff suggest you to book menus or dishes at least 30 minutes in advance.

SAM Catering

SAM studio staff will be glad to arrange for you a special homemade meal with traditional Tuscan dishes.

Here is a list of some bar and restaurant options nearby SAM Studio, sorted by distance:

La Bottega delle Specialità Coffee Bar

Via Armando Diaz, Lari (1-minute walk from the studio)
7.30 AM - 8.00 PM
Closed on Sunday

Le Scalette Bar and Sandwich Shop

Via Porta Maremmana 2, Lari (1-minute walk from the studio)
+39 345 215 8752
8.00 AM - 3.00 PM
5.00 PM - 9.00 PM

Antica Osteria Al Castello Bar and Restaurant

Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 13, Lari (1-minute walk from the studio)
+39 0587 684024 / +39 333 3197384
SAM fixed-price menu at €10 or €12 or €16
Price: €32 - €55
7.30AM - 11.00PM
Open every day

Al Provino Tavern

Piazza Niccolò Tommaseo, 10, Lari (1-minute walk from the studio)
+39 327 7686523 / +39 328 0228395
SAM fixed-price menu at €10
Price: €10- €20
Monday-Wednesday: lunch by reservation/ dinner 6.00PM - 12.00PM
Thursday-Friday: 6.30PM - 11.30PM
Saturaday & Sunday: 11.30AM - 12.00PM

I burattinai

vicolo Pagolo da Lari 10, Lari (1-minute walk from the studio)
+39 0587 685453
SAM fixed-price menu at €12 or €18
Price: €20 - €30
7.00PM - 10.00PM
Closed on Wednesday

La Bottega di Canfreo

Via Sidney Sonnino, 35, Lari (3-minute walk from the studio)
+39 0587 932367 / +39 342 6771901
SAM fixed-price menu at €8 or €10
Price: €15- €30
10.00AM - 11.00PM
Close Thursday

Locanda Lo Scopiccio Restaurant

Via delle Casine 5, Lari (8 minutes by car from the studio)
+39 0587 083093
Average price: €35
Closed on Mondays
Tuesday-Saturday: 0pen for dinner only from 7.30 PM
Sunday: 12.30AM - 3.30 PM

Vecchia Fattoria Castelli Restaurant

Via Petrarca / Via della Cella 4B, Usigliano di Lari (9 minutes by car from the studio)
+39 335 5920686
Price: €25 - €40
Open upon request

Boccondivino Restaurant

Via Montegrappa 30, Crespina (9 minutes by car from the studio)
+39 050 634137
Price: €20 - €40
Closed on Thursdays
Tuesday-Friday: 0pen for dinner only from 7.30 PM
Saturday-Sunday: 12.30AM - 3.30 PM, 7.30 PM - 11.00 PM

L'Ariete Restaurant Pizzeria

Via Enrico Mattei 7, Ponsacco (16 minutes by car from the studio)
+39 0587 729300
Price: €20 - €30
Closed on Mondays
Open every day lunch and dinner until late (3.00 AM)

Osteria La Gattaiola Restaurant

Vicolo Secondo San Lorenzo 2, Fauglia (17 minutes by car from the studio)
+39 050 650852
www.osterialagattaiola.it
Price: €35 - €50
Closed on Mondays
12.30AM - 3.00 PM, 7.30 PM - 11.00 PM

Kaoru Japanese Restaurant

Via Pisana 98, Pontedera (24 minutes by car from the studio)
+39 347 2697976
Price: €35 - €50
Closed on Mondays
Open for dinner only

Oscar Restaurant

Via O. Franchini 78, Leghorn (40 minutes by car from the studio)
+39 0586 501258
Price: €40 - €55
Closed on Mondays and from 27th December to 18th January
Tuesday open only for dinner
12.30AM - 3.00 PM, 7.30 PM - 11.30 PM

And many others

WHAT TO DO

SAM is 45 minutes from Florence, 30 minutes from Pisa and 40 minutes from the sea. You can also conveniently reach the Tuscan art cities in one hour, such as Florence, Pisa, Volterra, Siena, Lucca, San Giminiano, etc. And also you can go to the sea and beaches, Casciana Terme SPA or make the Tuscan Wine Routes or an horse riding.

Direct To Vinyl
A Vinyl Recording Session

First take it is!
The truth of music directly on vinyl

It is not a nostalgic operation, but an initiative that gives to musicians a unique experience that allows them to understand the essence of their artistic expression: a live room, a few basic tools, no fx or technological artifact, a monophonic microphone and a single recording channel, appropriately amplified and directed to the vinyl cutting lathe machine. And so, the musical performance ends directly on lacquer disc with a duration of few minutes.

The idea was born here, at SAM Recording Studio, where digital technology and vintage equipment coexist in the name of high-quality music production. Usually, SAM makes multitrack music productions with maximum digital resolution, but the value of a musical composition cannot be improved only by the use of technical possibilities offered by modern recording technologies. Indeed, too often today digital "correction" prevents artists from being aware of their limitations and committing themselves to overcoming them, improving themselves. Instead, what happens if we place the technological limits that give back to the musicians the truth of their composition and the task of arranging "in real time" playing together?

In this way Direct To Vinyl was born, real sessions of recording directly on lacquer disc, these are experiences that enhance the relationship between the musician and musical composition through true, unfiltered live recording, without technological mediations.

The first bands involved in the project (Zen Circus and Emma Morton & The Graces) have chosen consistently a song with vintage timbre, performed in essential formations: voice, guitar, bass, drums and piano or Hammond organ or only acoustic guitar and voice. The acoustic mix, curated by the sound engineer, did not involve any faders, but was obtained through an appropriate positioning of the sound sources (the instruments and possible amplifiers) compared to the microphone. That's how they used to do it, starting around one hundred years ago. This is how each musician can listen to and control his own sound within the overall band. The vocalist, without any fx (like reverb or delay), and all the other musicians, must give the best of themselves trying not to make mistakes and never prevaricate others, because once the cutting enginner started to cut the lacquer disc (even after some appropriate general test of adjustment of musicians and equipment) nothing can be corrected.

In the SAM control room, the digital recording on Pro Tools (192 kHz, 32 bit) serves as a safety back up and a way of monitoring what is cutting on the lacquer disc, because repeated listening of the master disc, as you know, ends up damaging the support and, consequently, the quality of the playback.

When the lathe's arm is lifted from the newly cut lacquer disc and the reproduction phase begins, then all together, musicians and engineers, listen again to the unique and unmodifiable work of a unique performance, realised with the maximum commitment of everyone and, for this reason, holds great artistic value.

If you want to experiment your performance on lacquer disc, contact us!