Craig ‘Hutch’
Hutchison finishes tenure at Manley Labs, joins Rupert Neve Designs
March
5th, 2008
Things
have come full circle for designer Craig “Hutch” Hutchison, who was first
recruited by Manley Labs to rebuild a Neve console in 1994. On February 18,
2008 Hutch left Chino, California for Wimberley, Texas to
join Rupert Neve Designs, Inc. as Senior Design Engineer where he'll work with
Rupert on the next range of products at RND.
Hutch’s
association with Manley Laboratories, Inc. began in the early 1990’s
first as a Manley amplifier customer while chief tech at Electric Lady Studios
and continued as a Manley dealer when he started Uptime Audio in New York
City. In 1994 Manley Labs hired Hutch to rebuild a 1969 vintage Neve console.
After that project was completed and commissioned, Hutch relocated to California to
work at Manley Labs full time. In 1996 Hutch took over as Chief Designer at
Manley Labs and has since then produced such industry standards as the Langevin
HP-101 headphone mixer, the Manley Massive Passive Stereo EQ, Manley 16x2
Mixers, and the acclaimed Manley SLAM! Stereo Limiter.
“Hutch
has always had one hero in this business, and that’s Rupert Neve. When Hutch
was given the offer to mentor directly under Rupert at Rupert Neve Designs, I
agreed with him that it was a wonderful opportunity for him that he could not
pass up. We are truly happy for Hutch,” says owner of Manley Labs,
EveAnna Manley.
As
Rupert Neve Designs has expanded in recent years it became apparent that a
senior designer was needed to collaborate with Rupert to ensure the design torch
would be carried into the next generation. There was always one name that came
up again and again as the ideal candidate, and that of course, was Hutch. In
his new position as Senior Design Engineer, Hutch will work alongside Rupert and
the existing design team to help shape the future of recording studio
electronics.
For
Rupert Neve, the addition is also a tremendous opportunity. “For over the
last twenty years I’ve seen Hutch become one of the world’s foremost audio
circuit designers, and it is both a privilege and an honor to have him join our
team of engineers. We share a design philosophy, and I'm excited to be working
with him on the next ranges of gear from RND”
Engineering
duties at Manley Labs will be continued by the rest of the team including
veteran vacuum tube-man Mitch Margolis who has already created several Manley
hifi models as well as several studio products for Groove Tubes. EveAnna
continues, “Hutch’s departure has been completely amicable. Hutch and I will
continue our professional relationship. He has simply begun a new journey
through another open door.”
Since having
commissioned the original Focusrite "Forte #002" at Electric
Lady Studios all those years ago, Hutch has always had an affinity for
Rupert’s designs. Hutch states, “When I was working in studios making music,
I always felt that Rupert did me a favor by providing great sounding, reliable
equipment. Now I have the opportunity to repay that favor, to assist him in
developing innovative and inspired gear to continue his lineage for future
generations.”
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Manley Laboratories, Inc. 13880 Magnolia Ave. Chino, CA. 91710 USA Tel: +1 (909) 627-4256 Fax: +1 (909) 628-2482
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Rupert Neve Designs PO Box 1969 Wimberley, TX. 78676 USA Tel: +1(512) 847-3013 Fax: +1(512) 847-8869
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Rupert Neve and Hutch working on a prototype March 2008
More about the rest of team at Manley Labs