Mastering Engineer Michael Graves Brings Recordings Back to Life with the Manley OASIS Phono Stage
In the heart of Los Angeles stands a mythical mastering and audio restoration facility that brings lost recordings back to life. Named after the Egyptian god of resurrection and renewed life, Osiris Studio specializes in rescuing rare, one-of-a-kind recordings that require formidable restoration work. It’s where distinguished multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning mastering engineer Michael Graves uses his years of experience and comprehensive knowledge of current and aging media types to restore rare performances, long-gone voices, and deteriorating or obsolete media.
To achieve the level of quality they are known for, Osiris Studio uses only the best possible playback equipment—employing uncompromising analog to digital converters and careful treatment of the audio, both analog and digital. The introduction of the Manley OASIS Phono Stage into their workflow marks a significant enhancement in the quality of these restorations.
“Much of my work involves projects where source tapes are no longer available, so we need to use vinyl—or one-of-a-kind acetates, lacquers, and shellac discs—as the source recording,” Graves explains. “After these records are digitized, they undergo a thorough restoration process. If the initial playback is compromised, the entire project suffers. Having a Manley CHINOOK, and now, OASIS phono preamp in my signal chain for vinyl digitization assures me that I’m getting the best possible sound from those grooves so that every project starts off on the best footing.”
"When a mastering project is complete, and I compare a test pressing to the high-resolution digital master, I rely on the OASIS to confirm the integrity of our work,” he relates. “The test pressing always sounds exactly as it should, mirroring the high-quality digital master perfectly. If it doesn’t, I know that there’s a problem with the pressing and not my playback system. This level of accuracy is what I aim for, and with the OASIS, it's consistently achievable.”
The Manley OASIS Phono Stage, successor to the legendary CHINOOK, features MANLEY POWER® for a quieter performance with external gain controls and diverse loading options. Handcrafted in California, this luxurious, efficient phono stage offers unmatched sonic clarity and flexibility for both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges, ensuring a superior listening experience.
“Under Graves' expert guidance, Osiris Studio is conscientiously serving the archival and entertainment communities by bringing forgotten and endangered sounds back to life,” said EveAnna Manley, founder and CEO of Manley Labs. “We’re proud to support their work with products like the Manley OASIS Phono Stage, ensuring every project starts off with the best possible sound.”