Highland Dynamics Compressor Building Workshop

 Build a Vari-Mu tube compressor and record a band live to two track analog tape with Bryce Gonzales of Highland Dynamics.

First workshop is September 22nd to September 24th. email John@tapeop.com for details

Every attendee leaves with their own compressor they built!

Strictly limited to 8 participants, register now to reserve your spot!

Highland Dynamics workshop with Bryce Gonzales at Panoramic House

-3 day workshop with Highland Dynamics founder and circuit designer Bryce Gonzales at Panoramic House Studios.

-Day 1 and 2: All participants will work with Bryce to build a vari mu tube compressor. Bryce will walk everybody thru the build and also be on hand to make sure that everybody leaves with a functioning compressor they built.

-Basic soldering skills highly reccomended, but a quick basic soldering class will be the first part of the session.

-Day 3: Finish up any building as neccesary and then work with Bryce as he sets up for a live to two track analog tape recording with a live band. This will be similar to the 100+ critically acclaimed recordings Bryce has done at the Enfield Tennis Academy in Los Angeles, CA with artists like Jeff Parker, Nick Reinhardt, Josh Klinghoffer, and Larry Goldings. Finally we’ll wrap up with a spaghetti dinner for all the participants, Bryce and the band.

Cost $1500 per person which includes all the materials for the compressor and dinner on the last night.

Approximate times each day will be from 11am to 7pm day 1 and 2, 11am to 9pm day 3.

About the Compressor:

The Highland Dynamics RS-K compressor is a table top vari-mu compressor with transformer input and output inspired by the Altec 436. It has simple controls; input and output pots and a three position release time switch. It is constructed with point to point wiring.

During the workshop Bryce will also discuss modifications that you can make to the RS-K including adding additional attack and release times, swapping out vintage transformers and changing the feedback mode in the way that UK studios modded the Altec 436 in the sixties.

About Bryce Gonzales

Bryce Gonzales worked as a recording engineer for a decade with clients like Conor Oberst, Jonathan Wilson and Father John Misty before starting Highland Dynamics in 2015. In addition to numerous custom projects he is best known for his BG1 and BG2 Vari-Mu compressors. In 2018 he built a custom stereo tube recording console that he uses to record live to a Nagra 45 stereo tape recorder.

Panoramic House is 45 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA in West Marin county. The studio overlooks the Pacific Ocean where you’ll be working with Bryce.

lodging is not included. Some links to local lodging are below.

LODGING

We are in Stinson Beach about an hour from San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Rafael and Novato.

If you want to combine the workshop with a beachside vacation, there are two hotels in town and lots of vacation rentals. Bolinas the next town over (15 minutes by car) has more lodging options.

If you want to drive into the workshop each day, there are lots more lodging options in the surrounding area.

https://www.sandpiperstinsonbeach.com/

https://www.surflodgestinsonbeach.com

https://smileyssaloon.com/hotel/

https://www.airbnb.com/a/stays/Stinson-Beach--California--United-States

https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/california/san-francisco-bay-ar/stinson-beach

There are two restaurants in town that serve lunch and dinner and small market.

Schedule:

Day 1:

11am: Orientation and basic soldering class.

noon: Let’s build!

2:30 pm: 1 hour lunch break

3:30 -7: More building

Day 2:

11am: Keep building…

2:30 pm: 1 hour lunch break

3:30 -7: More building

Day 3:

11 am: Wrap up build, Q & A with Bryce. Discuss design mods and how to customize your new compressor.

2pm: Lunch break

3pm: Start set up for recording

6pm; Dinner

7-9pm: Recording and performance.

Note: Participants will need to bring their own lunch each day or go into town (5 minutes away) and buy lunch

Dinner will be very simple: Salad, garlic bread and a vegetarian or meat based spaghetti dinner. Any dietary restrictions beyond vegetarian (Vegan, gluten free, etc.) will not be able to be accomodated and you will need to bring your own pre-cooked food or buy some food in town.

Alcohol will not be served, but if you are of drinking age and want to bring a moderate amount of beer or wine that is fine.

Sponsored by Analog Supply https://analog.supply