our equipment

We have custom built a Digital Audio Workstation with 24 track simultaneous recording capabilities at 24-bit, 44.1kHz. Our main audio software is Steinberg Nuendo, Adobe Audition and Gigastudio with lots of processing plug-ins. The software we use means that we have an unlimited track count with orchestral based songs usually taking around 50-60 tracks alone. We have automated mixing, panning and reverb with editing capabilities down to sample level.

Another major computer based software that we use is GigaStudio which runs on a dedicated PC and produces a sound quality of sampled acoustic instruments which has to be heard to be believed.

** (We have opted for the Side Vivace enclosure for the Lowther drive units as this produces an unsurpassed level of detail and smoothness with an accuracy of + or – 1.5dB from 35-22,000Hz from a single Lowther drive unit. This provides almost zero distortion and perfectly in phase sound as no crossover is required.)

Hardware

  • 3 Digital Multi-Track Echo Laylas with 8 analogue inputs per unit (in total 24 tracks)
  • Custom built Digital Audio Workstation
  • 4Tb of recording time, 8Tb of Networked Attached Storage
  • Custom built GigaStudio PC with over 200 gigs’ including Steinway B, Bosendorfer 9-foot grand, full orchestral sounds
  • Yamaha Pro R3 Digital Reverb unit
  • SPL Pro Mike Stereo Mic Pre-amp
  • 2 Behringer MX3242X 32-channel analogue mixers with acoustically invisible mic pre-amps and integrated meterbridge
  • BBE Sonic Maximizer
  • 31 band graphic EQ
  • Neumann M147 Valve Microphone
  • Beyer MCE742 stereo condenser microphone (as used by ABBA)
  • 2 Extensively modified (audiophile capacitors and resistors installed) Oktava 319 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones
  • Available AKG 414s Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone (BBC industry standard)
  • Many AKG 451EB Pencil Cardiod Condenser Microphones
  • Available AKG D12 Kick Drum Microphone
  • Beyer Opus Skull Head kick drum mic
  • Many Beyer Opus 81 handheld Studio Condenser Microphones
  • Beyer M88 Phil Collins handheld Dynamic Microphone
  • Beyer M201 Dynamic Microphones
  • Shure SM81 classic handheld pencil Microphone (Shure’s only good mic!!! :-)
  • Beyer Ribbon Microphone
  • Many AKG D1200 Dynamic Microphones
  • Yamaha Mini-Disc Recorder
  • Line 6 Pod Guitar Processor

Software

  • Steinberg Nuendo
  • Adobe Audition
  • Noise Reduction
  •  Hiss Reduction
  • EQ, Multiband compressor, effects etc.
  • GigaStudio
  • Antares Auto-Tune
  • Waves C4 multi-band mastering compressor
  • Waves Ulta Maximizer
  • Waves Re EQ (32-bit floating point Mastering EQ)
  • Waves MAX Bass
  • Waves De-Esser
  • Waves C1 Compressor
  • TC Essentials EQ
  • TC Essentials Compressor
  • TC Essentials Reverb
  • Pan Handler Dolby Surround Sound
  • Antares Microphone Modeler
  • DSP-FX Tremolo
  • DSP-FX Pitch Shift
  • DSP-FX Optimizer
  • DSP-FX Flange
  • DSP-FX EQ
  • DSP-FX Chorus
  • DSP-FX Aural Activator
  • DSP-FX Acoustic Reverb
  • DSP-FX Studio Reverb
  • dB Pro compressor/expander
  • Wave Warm
  • Instruments
  • (Available to hire) Steinway D 9-foot Concert Grand Piano. Click Here to audition.
  • Steinway B 6-foot Grand Piano (sampled) Click Here to audition.
  • Bosendorfer 9-foot Concert Piano (sampled). Click Here to audition.
  • Classic Hammond Organ with Leslie speaker
  • Fender Strat Electric Guitar
  • Washburn Electric Guitar
  • Tak. Acoustic Guitar
  • Aria Mandolin
  • Horner Headless Bass Guitar (funky)
  • Yamaha Spanish Guitar (very sweet)
  • Extensive range of percussion
  • Plus various other instruments used by our session musicians