Aura Sonic

Aura-Sonic, Ltd.

Company type	Remote Recording
Industry	Entertainment, Broadcasting, Remote Recording, Recording Studio
Founded	1977
Founder	Steve Remote Joel Schreiber
Headquarters	Queens, New York , United States
Key people	Steve Remote, Chief Engineer
Owner	Steve Remote
Website	aurasonicltd.com

Aura-Sonic, Ltd. (ASL) is a remote recording company based in Queens, New York, that specializes in mobile and location production, audio for video broadcasting,[1] video production, sound reinforcement and on-site automated dialogue replacement.[2] ASL was founded in 1977[3] by recording engineer and producer Steve Remote.[4] The company owns and utilizes a fleet of adaptable mobile vehicles and portable packages for its audio/production projects.[5]

History

In 1977, recording engineer Steve Remote partnered with Joel Schreiber to create Aura-Sonic, Ltd. Remote had been recording professionally at Max's Kansas City[6] since 1976 while Schreiber, a graduate from the American Academy of the Dramatic Arts, was managing a children's clothing store in Flushing, Queens. Not content with operating a conventional recording studio, Steve decided to create a studio on wheels so they could go the client instead of the client going to them.[7] From 1977 to 1983, Schreiber was the President of ASL with Remote acting as the Vice President and chief engineer. In 1983, Remote bought out Schreiber's stake in the company and became the sole owner.

Artists

A company "in the forefront of mobile audio",[7] ASL has worked with many artists including Aerosmith, Alabama Shakes, Alicia Keys, Allman Brothers Band, Bruce Springsteen, B-52's, Beck, Ben Harper, Bill Burr, Bill Frisell, Blink 182, Bon Jovi, Brandi Carlile, Branford Marsalis, Brittany Howard, Carlos Santana, Chick Corea, Coldplay, Counting Crows, Cro-Mags - Age of Quarrel, Crosby & Nash, Daryl Hall & Darius Rucker, Dave Brubeck,[8] Dave Mathews & Tim Reynolds, Dawes, Denis Leary, Dolly Parton, Donald Harrison with Ron Carter & Billy Cobham, Eddie Palmieri, Elvin Jones, Elvis Costello, Esperanza Spalding,[9] Frank Zappa, George Benson, Gil Evans & the Monday Night Orchestra, Green Day, Hall & Oates, Harry Connick Jr., Herbie Hancock, Hozier, Interpol, James Brown, James Blunt, James Taylor, Jeff Buckley, Jeff Tweedy, Jennifer Nettles, Jim James, Jimmy Eat World, Joe Jackson, Jon Batiste, John Hiatt, John Prine, Josh Groban, Joshua Redman Quartet, Kacey Musgraves, Kenny G, Lake Street Dive, Lee Konitz, Lenny Kravitz, Lucius, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Machine Head, Maggie Rogers, Marilyn Manson, Margo Price, Mavis Staples, McCoy Tyner, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Morrissey, My Morning Jacket, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Neil Young & Promise of the Real, Neville Brothers, Norah Jones, Odean Pope, Paquito D’Rivera,[10] Puss N Boots, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rob Thomas, Rod Steward, Roger Daltrey, Roger Waters, Ryan Adams, Sepultura, Sheryl Crow, Skid Row w/ Rob Halford, Slipknot, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, Spyro Gyra, Stevie Wonder, Stone Temple Pilots, Sturgill Simpson, Talking Heads, The Avett Brothers, The Beach Boys, The Black Crowes, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, The Highwomen, The Police, The Roots, UB40, Van Dyke Parks, Warren Haynes, Wayne Shorter, Wilco, Wynton Marsalis, XTC, and Yo Yo Ma.[2]

Mobile Units

The Bunker (1977-1984)

Steve Remote and the Bunker, NYC

Specifications

1966 Ford 600 Series[11]
12’ X 7 ‘ X 7’ (body) control cabin
Gross Vehicle Weight: 14,000 lbs
Rear and Passenger side exits

Select Acts Recorded

Artists include Black Uhuru, Chris Rush, Elvin Jones, Frank Zappa (Halloween ‘81), Howard Jones, Johnny Thunders, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam and Dave, The Buzzcocks, The Police, The Ramones,[12] The Specials, and XTC.

GMC (1984 - 1987)

The inside of ASL's second remote truck

Specifications

GMC Chevrolet[13]
Gross Vehicle Weight: 18,000 lbs
Power Requirements & information: 208 volts, single-phase, 50 amp service required
Passenger side exit

Select Acts Recorded

Artists include Allen Toussaint, Bad Brains, Bobby Hutcherson, Boy George,[14] Dr. John, Gill Evans and the Monday Night Orchestra, Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, Ron Carter, Rev. Timothy Wright, Randy Brecker, Sadao Watanabe, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Fleshtones, and The Neville Brothers.

Jethro (1987 – 2009)

Jethro in front of the Capital in Washington, D.C.

Specifications

Navistar International turbocharged Diesel truck[15]
Gross Vehicle Weight: 33,000 lbs
Outside truck dimensions: 30' 6" long X 8' 0" wide X 11' 6" high
Control cabin dimensions: 17' 0" long X 7' 5" wide X 7' 10" high [16]
Power Requirements & information: 208 volts, single-phase, 50 amp service required
Passenger side exit

Select Acts Recorded

Artists include 24-7 Spyz, Aerosmith, Allman Brothers Band, Ben Harper, Branford Marsalis, Carlos Santana, David Matthews and Friends, Denis Leary,[17] Elliott Smith, Jeff Buckley, Laura Nyro, Lenny Kravitz, Living Colour,[18] Outkast, Pat Benatar, Public Enemy, Roberta Flack, Red Hot Chili Peppers,[19] Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, The Beach Boys, and Tony Bennett.[20]

Elroy (1999 – Present)

The inside of Elroy

Specifications

Mercedes-Benz 1419
Gross Vehicle Weight: 33,000 lbs
Exterior Vehicle Dimensions: 33.0' L x 12.5' H x 102" W
Exterior Dimensions with Rear Platform & Stairs: 40.0' L x 12.5' H x 102" W
Exterior Expando Dimensions: 22.0' L x 11.5' H x 14.0' W
Power Requirements & information: 208 volts, single-phase, 100 amp service required
Elroy carries 200' of entertainment power cable with Cam-Lok E1016 connectors
Rear side exit[21]

Select Acts Recorded/Mixed

Artists include Anat Cohen, Anthony Hamilton, Aretha Franklin, Chris Botti, Dave Holland, Esperanza Spalding, Herbie Hancock, Hey Guy, Hunters, Kenny Werner, Ledici, Los Gauchos, New York Dolls, Soulive and Wayne Shorter.

The Bread Mobile (2003 – Present)

The Bread Mobile at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival

Specifications

GMC / Grumman Kurbmaster Stepvan[22]
Gross Vehicle Weight: 14,000 lbs
Exterior Vehicle Dimensions: 25.5' L x 11.5' H x 96" W
Power Requirements & information: 208 volts, single-phase, 50 amp service required
TBM carries 200' of entertainment power cable with Cam-Lok E1016 & E1015 connectors
Passenger side exit[23]

Select Live Broadcasts

• NPR’s Toast of the Nation (2003-2007)[24][25]
• J&R Downtown Music Festival (2003-2008)[26]
• 88th PGA Tour (2006)
• Newport Folk Festival (2008-Present)
• Newport Jazz Festival (2008-Present)[27]

Select Acts Recorded

Artists include Alabama Shakes, Andrew Bird, Beck, Conor Oberst, Conrad Herwig, Dawes, Eddie Palmieri, Elvis Costello, Fleet Foxes, Herbie Hancock, Jim James, Joshua Redman Quartet, Marcus Miller, Michael Kiwanuka, My Morning Jacket, Patty Griffin, The Avett Brothers, The Decemberists, The Lumineers, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Wilco and Wynton Marsalis.

Cosmo (2009 - Present)

Cosmo

Specifications

Hino 268 A
Gross Vehicle Weight: 25,950 lbs
Exterior Vehicle Dimensions: 36.0' L x 11.5' H x 102" W
Exterior Dimensions with Rear Platform & Stairs: 40.0' L x 11.5' H x 102" W
Power Requirements & information: 208 volts, single-phase, 100 amp service required
Cosmo carries 200' of entertainment power cable with Cam-Lok E1016 connectors
Rear side exit[28]

Tiny Big Mobile (2016 – Present)

Specifications

2015 Ford Transit / 350 HD Ecoboost
Gross Vehicle Weight: 5,878 lbs
Exterior Vehicle Dimensions: 22' L x 9.6' H x 86" W
Power Requirements & information: 208 volts, single-phase, 50 amp service required
TBM II carries 90' of entertainment power cable with Cam-Lok E1016 & E1015 connectors
Passenger side exit[29]

Select Live Broadcasts

• WPLJ-FM Summer Kick-Off Broadcast (2016)
• WPLJ-FM Holiday Broadcast from Children's Specialized Hospital (2016)
• Newport Folk Festivals (2017 & 2018)[30][31]
• Farm Aid Live Television Broadcast (2018)
• Live X The Greatest Day Ever Fest - Coney Island - Live Broadcast (2019)[32]

Select Acts Recorded or Mixed

Artists include Bon Iver, Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Devon Gilfillian, Drive-By Truckers, Fleet Foxes, Harry Connick Jr., Hurray for the Riff Raff, Jade Bird, Jason Isbell, Jim James, John Paul White, John Prine, Jon Batiste, Jonathan Wilson, Kermit the Frog, Lake Street Dive, Lucius, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Marlon Williams, Nathaniel Rateliff, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Neil Young & Promise of the Real, Pinegrove, Sturgill Simpson, The War and Treaty, The Wild Reeds, Roger Waters, Shovels & Rope, Warren Haynes, Wilco, and Yebba.

Awards and Accolades

• Remote Recording Facility for Grammy Award winning album in the category of Best Jazz Large Ensemble Album in 2011; Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard.[33]
• TEC Award winner in the category of Remote Production / Recording or Broadcast in 2009; JVC Newport Jazz Festival[34]
• Remote Recording Facility for Grammy Award winning album in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album in 2001; Paquito D'Rivera Quintet - Live at the Blue Note[35]
• Remote Recording Facility for Grammy Award winning album in the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band in 1989; Gil Evans and the Monday Night Orchestra – Bud and Bird[36]
• Nominee 1987,[37] 1991,[38] 2002,[39] 2013[40] TEC Award Remote Recording Facility

References

1. Peterson, George. The Secrets of Drum Miking: Remote Recording Engineers Speak Out. Mix Magazine, June 1989. pg. 33.
2. "Aura Sonic Homepage". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
3. "Mix Online Studio Sessions News". Archived from the original on 7 May 2005. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
4. Daley, Dan (1 May 2001). "Aura Sonic Ltd". Mix Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 December 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
5. Weiss, David (30 June 2013). "Icons: Steve Remote – Pioneering Mobile Production with Aura-Sonic". Sonic Scoop. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
6. Cohen, Toby. On The Road With Steve Remote. Home & Studio Recording, 1990, p. 12.
7. Ciccarello, Joe. Mobile Church Audio. dB Magazine, September 1993. p. 6
8. "Dave Brubeck Quartet on Jazz". NPR. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
9. "Rudresh Mahanthappa's Indo-Pak Coalition, Esperanza Spalding Quartet On JazzSet". NPR. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
10. "Paquito D'Rivera Live at the Blue Note". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
11. Cohen, Toby. On The Road With Steve Remote. Home & Studio Recording, 1990, p. 15.
12. "Billboard March 9, 1985". Billboard. 9 March 1985. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
13. Walsh, Christopher. Remote Control. Pro Sound News, March 1998, p. 42.
14. Video Track. Billboard, August 3, 1985. p. 39.
15. Remote Recording & Sound Reinforcement. Mix Magazine, May 1989, p. 154
16. Ciccarello, Joe. Mobile Church Audio. dB Magazine, September 1993. p. 8
17. Walsh, Christopher. Aura Sonic Records Denis Leary. Pro Sound News, February, 1998, p. 41.
18. Cohen, Toby. On The Road With Steve Remote. Home & Studio Recording, 1990, p. 16.
19. Daley, Dan. State of Remote Recording: Few Changes but Costs Still Escalating. Pro Sound News, July 1992, p. 14.
20. "SPARS AES Panel". Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
21. "Aura Sonic Mobile: Elroy". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
22. "Toast of the Nation New York: The Crew". Archived from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
23. "Aura Sonic Mobile: The Bread Mobile". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
24. "Toast of the Nation New York: The Crew". Archived from the original on 2015-09-12. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
25. "Toast of the Nation New York: Looking Back". Archived from the original on 2010-12-25. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
26. "Roy Haynes at the J&R Music Festival". NPR. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
27. "Herbie Hancock Lights It Up At Newport". NPR. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
28. "Aura Sonic Mobile: Cosmo". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
29. "Gearslutz Mobile & Location Rigs: The Tiny Big Mobile has been quite flexible..." Retrieved 16 February 2020.
30. "John Prine". Newport Folk Festival. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
31. "Brandi Carlile: Newport Folk 2018 | WFUV". wfuv.org. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
32. "Livestream Greatest Day Ever! Festival with performances by City Girls, Pusha-T, Lil Baby and more". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
33. "Live at Jazz Standard". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
34. "TEC Awards 2009". Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
35. "2001 Grammy Award Winners". Retrieved 17 December 2012.
36. "AES 2011: Speed Counseling with Experts". SPARS. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
37. "TEC Awards 1987". Archived from the original on 2012-10-29. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
38. "TEC Awards 1991". Archived from the original on 2012-10-29. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
39. "TEC Awards 2002". Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
40. "TEC Awards 2013". Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 25 November 2013.

External links

• Official website