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