Phoenix Audio recently joined the Sweetwater family of fine brands, and we’re pleased as punch. Speaking of punch, Phoenix designs have it by the boatload; marrying Class A, electronically balanced input stages with their signature transformer-coupled discrete DSOP-2 Class A output stage based on the TF1 amp that Phoenix chief designer David Rees developed as an upgrade for vintage Neve 80 Series console modules back in the ’90s.
We caught up with Phoenix Audio’s Robin Ashley and Marek Stycos on a rare break, and they shared their thoughts on work, music, and of course — pro audio!
Who are you and how did you team up with Phoenix Audio?
Robin: My name is Robin Ashley, and I’m the President of Phoenix Audio. I came across Phoenix Audio in 2003 while running a UK and European distribution company called ASAP Europe that specialized in high-end brands like Avalon Design, DW Fearn, Soundelux, and many more. Shaun Leveque (chief designer of Phoenix Audio) approached us to handle Phoenix, and we fell in love with their sonics. More importantly, when we shared units with high-level producers and artists, the reaction was universal — we were on to a winner. However, competing in the high-end audio arena is never simple, especially during the “Pro Tools Era,” where plug-ins were edging out hardware due to convenience. Unfortunately, on top of that, Phoenix Audio was experiencing build issues with their UK manufacturer, which meant there were long lead times — far from ideal for growth.
In 2007, we acquired the company and relocated the manufacturing and distribution in totality to Southern California. This was a painful, but a worthy process, and by May 2009 we shipped the first units. A decade later, with many thousands of units shipped worldwide to dealers, distributors, and end users — Phoenix has landed. Risen?
Marek Stycos: Audio Alchemist is an audiophile brand management company I founded in 2009 after owning recording studios in MA, CA, FL, and NY and ultimately stepping down as Director of Worldwide Pro Audio Sales for Guitar Center during their golden age. I met Robin at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2012 while making an appearance for Manley Labs, with whom I also conspire. We officially launched the rocket together at winter NAMM in 2017 and have been thick as thieves ever since.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
Robin: Wow, that’s a tough question. I’ve been in the music industry for nearly 20 years since leaving University, from working the sales floor at Sound Control to a large British pro audio retailer, various sales management roles at Tascam, expanding an independent distribution company, and finally as a high-end brand manufacturer.
Marek: Leading foolhardy backpacking and whitewater trips around the globe — space next? You can check out Facebook land for a few Huck Finn–style adventures.
What did you want to do when you were 10?
Robin: Sports! Soccer and cricket (does anybody know what that is?). Also active in the Scouts, so camping, mountain climbing was always part of the mix.
Marek: The question should say, “when you were 6.” That’s when I witnessed my 16-year-old sister play guitar and knew I’d arrived. A few years later she brought Bela Fleck over and blew my mind. First concert: the band Boston.
First band name? When/what did you play?
Robin: I was never in a band unfortunately. I played instruments at school of course, but my performance phase came as a DJ and that evolved into being a producer.
Marek: 9th grade band was The Dorian Mode. Writing originals with lyrics like, “Ah ha I caught you again! You’re fooling around like a mother hen. Your mind is twisted, like a broken lampshade, you climb and climb, but soon shall be afraid…”
What rack gear isn’t out there that needs to be?
Robin: I think probably every piece of vintage gear has been copied and emulated now, though I did love the PYE compressors, and I’ve never seen anybody reproduce those yet and they sound fantastic. I would say that I love and support brands who are unique and who try to make innovative products, making life more interesting for producers and evolving the creative process.
Marek: Why would I possibly share that intel? (laughs) Want to sign an NDA?
Your go-to signal chain for .
Robin: Well let’s say a Phoenix pre-amp on every source…
Marek: The Phoenix Ascent One EQ Preamp with its Gyrator EQ for removing frequencies is a worthy choice for tracking.
Robin: …and some very cool mics on these:
High-gain electric guitar — Royer R-121
Female lead vocal — Telefunken ELA M 251 (love that sizzle on vocals)
Male lead vocal — Neumann U 67 (happy to see it’s back, but I’ve not tried it yet)
Acoustic guitar — AEA R44
Electric bass — Sennheiser MD 421
Grand piano — Neumann M 149 (not everyone’s favorite mic, but killer on grand piano)
Kick drum — Neumann U47 FET or Yamaha NS10M speaker driver is good too
Snare drum — Josephson e22S
Toms — Vintage AKG C 414 EB
Drum overheads — Neumann KM 84
Marek: I own $100,000 of mics and am currently suffering from Manley Mic Mania.
Let me qualify by saying, first listen to the natural source (i.e. voice), and then drive to bloom the spirit of the song. As producers, we must inspire the artist and coax forth their best possible performance. Some of my “starting” points: Triad-Orbit stand. Jumperz ZipLines Star Quad cable. sE RF Space Reflexion Filter. Beyerdynamic DT 770 headphones. Caig ProGold G5 applied to all connectors. Potent headphone amp, honest monitor controller and D/A like a Dangerous Music Source for the talent. As for EQ, getting great results with the Phoenix Pivot TC is so fast, it’s like using a fader vs. a mouse!
At Phoenix Audio, the best day is spent .
Robin: Well without wanting to sound too cheesy, it’s always speaking to customers on the phone or face to face, as that’s really what it’s all about, hearing how customers use our units and their story.
Marek: Rocking events in the field for the public. Turning people on to the difference in sonics — how can you know if you’ve never heard it! I craft about 40 of these annually. We break at halftime with craft beer and Thai food. Come find me.
Favorite SoCal hangouts?
Robin: We do like to hang out at a bar in Hollywood called Mohawk Bend — an old movie theater, which sports over 70 craft beers on tap and unique food.
Marek: Vasquez Rocks, where they filmed Star Trek (the original series) and a 500-pound silver ingot was stashed by bandido Tiburcio Vásquez.
What are the biggest trends in gear that excite you right now?
Robin: I do like some of the hardware units that control software — perhaps that’s where we’ll see more brands head towards.
Marek: The pursuit to capture everything. Higher resolution audio. Not embracing DSD made the world a little darker.
Phoenix Audio and Sweetwater are a great match because .
Robin: If anyone hasn’t been to Sweetwater, the place is a knockout and their dedication to be the best inspires — and that’s something that we always strive for as well.
Marek: I consider many of the humans there friends. They are passionate about music. About art. If you haven’t figured it out from this article, so am I.
