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Night Train Studios
Grand Re-Opening Fiesta a Smash Success
As the night sky darkened on the late summer eve in August and the clouds
parted to reveal a bursting full moon, electricity filled the cool autumn
air. For the second time in less than a decade in Westford, Massachusetts,
Night Train Studios opened its doors to the public, this time for an
extravagant gala. The Grand Reopening of Night Train Studios proved to be a
complete success. The well-attended gathering took place over the course of
a
 peaceful
yet inspirational Saturday evening, while alternatively soothing and snappy
music drifted into the Metrowest night sky. People came from all over New
England to see the newly constructed, beautifully decorated, and sublimely
furnished insides of the state-of-the-art, 1000 square foot, digital
recording studio. Flickering candles led visitors down through a
well-manicured garden into the recording studio, carefully tucked half
underground to allow the building foundation and several feet of earth to
provide ample sound barriers from the outside.
Upon arrival in the studio the guests were ushered in with utmost care and
offered the finest champagne cocktails and homemade hors d’eauvres. Atop
the tables placed throughout the studio, rested baskets of gold leafed
fruit, adding a touch of home for the new arrivals to Night Train Studios.
The grand hostess for the evening, Jennifer, took painstaking care to make
sure that everyone at the special event received the official tour of the
recording studio, including the spacious control room, the musicians’
lounge, and the four unique isolation rooms.
Guests were awed by the architectural vision conceived so completely before
the actual construction of the studio had begun and stood spellbound by the
simplistic beauty formed by the parallel and competing lines in the
 control
room. One gentleman commented, “I’ve never seen a curved wall melt into
straight plate glass windows like this before. There’s a subtlety here that
is truly uncommon.” Others noticed the hand laid concrete desk that curves
perfectly along the elliptical front wall of the control room. More than
one person suggested that sleeping upon one of the many leather couches
would be most enjoyable. Nearly everyone spent at least a moment staring
more closely at the framed vintage travel posters from the days gone by.
But the most overheard comment of the night in relation to the décor and
splendor of the studio surely revolved around the control room’s magnificent
brick wall. No one could believe that the hundred-year-old bricks had been
hand picked from a turn of the century farmhouse. People described the
brick wall as very comforting and stylish.
Throughout the evening, guests were invited to bang away on the Yamaha /
Zildjian studio drum set, softly stroke songs on the vintage, baby grand
piano, and try their hand at any of the guitars and amps, though
 Stairway
to Heaven was, of course, forbidden. As the flowing spirits softened
even the most shy and steadfast non-performers of the group, guests could be
spotted singing freely into the microphones. Sound engineers secretly
pressed the giant red record button, capturing forever those voices for
posterity. Unfortunately, even with the best recording equipment and the
most talented sound engineers in the business, many of these songs will
never be released to the general public.
There were several speeches from audience members capped fittingly by two
keynote speakers, including a heartfelt “thank you” speech converted into a
song by studio co-owner, Zac Cataldo, who enjoyed the evening immensely. “I
feel so ecstatic seeing our friends and families come out to support us on
such a monumental occasion. Re-building Night Train Studios has been a
dream of mine for years, and with the first studio several years ago I
learned a great deal. Having an opportunity like this to really do it
right, with the proper materials for soundproofing and the time to take such
painstaking care in the building process and craftsmanship makes the final
result so much more meaningful. We have worked so hard for this moment and
I think that the positive reactions and the smiling faces tonight are clear
signs of the desired results. I am truly excited about the future of this
studio.”
The master of ceremonies, Jennifer, insured that the symbolic red ribbon
that adorned the state of the art digital audio workstation and Tascam DM 24
automated digital mixing console was ready to be cut to officially open the
new recording studio. Proud owners of Night Train Studios, Zac
Cataldo and Stephen Messinger, stood poised with scissors in hand, and
smiled to the crowd. Flashes from cameras lighted up the room and even the
videographer zoomed closer in to catch the moment for all eternity.
An inspirational evening for all who attended, the Grand Opening Festivities
for Night Train Studios now stands as the symbol of a new beginning. Set in
stone is the completion date of this unbelievable digital recording studio.
The way is paved for a glorious future of wonderful new music and enjoyment
for anyone who chooses to enter through that green door and takes the leap
by hopping over manhole cover tile and into Night Train Studios. |
