Studio Special

Rockinghorse Studios

Looking to record your next album overlooking the idyllic surrounds of Byron Bay? Rockinghorse Studios might just be up your alley. We chat with producer/engineer Nicholas Wilson to find out more about the studios, their recent upgrades and the amazing accomodation options on offer.

Give us a brief history of Rockinghorse - how long has it been around for, and how has it evolved over the years? The Studio opened in 1992 and used to run two Tascam M3500 consoles and two Studer A820MCH tape machines. The consoles later got upgraded to a Neve V series 48 channel console which remained there until 2016 when we decided to make significant changes by removing the console and creating a modular recording space without a console as the centrepiece. We retained all the classic analogue outboard and had Pro Harmonic rack up parts of the Neve console’s channel strips. Paint us a portrait of the entire complex. How many rooms are at Rockinghorse, and what kind of acts are they best suited for? Studio A has three acoustically designed live rooms plus the control room. We have recorded predominantly bands but have also done lots of voiceovers, ADR and even choirs. Studio B recently had the previous computer and HD system from Studio A put in, running 16 Neve V series channel strips and the Apogee Symphony MKII. The space features a large control room and one smaller live room which makes the space ideal for smaller projects and overdubs. Who’s currently working at Rockinghorse - can you tell us a bit about your in-house engineers and producers? Nicholas Wilson has been a producer and audio engineer here since 2009. He’s worked on countless records and artists, and was nominated for an ARIA as engineer of the year in 2014 for his work on Land Of Pleasure. Paul Pilsneniks joined us in 2017 after working as a producer and audio engineer at 301 Studios Byron Bay. Artists he has worked with include Angus and Julia Stone, Dope Lemon, Powderfinger, Boy And Bear and many more. Steven Schram joined the team recently and has been one of the country’s top producers for the past 20 years. He has worked with artists such as Paul Kelly, San Cisco, Little Birdy, Darren Middleton and many more. He won an ARIA for engineer of the year for Paul Kelly’s Nature LP. Studio A underwent a number of upgrades last year. Tell us a bit about what was involved in that process: What went in to make it better? We did the major upgrades in 2016/2017 but were still running ProTools 10 along with an Apogee Symphony MKII And a couple of avid 192s. We are now running an HDX system with one Lynx Aurora n 32x32 IO and a new Mac Mini with the HDX card housed in a Thunderbolt 3 chassis. One advantage of this setup is that producers and engineers have the option of bringing in their own Thunderbolt 3 enabled computer to run their sessions. Artists can choose to stay onsite at while recording at Rockinghorse. How does this help facilitate the creative process of tracking a record? Staying at the studio gives the artists the opportunity to immersive themselves fully into the process and be able to shut off from outside influences which in turn increases productivity and creativity. We have a couple of accommodation options available to suit different budgets and needs as we understand that our clients range from start up to established artists. Our five bedroom luxury home comes with all the comforts and perfect for larger groups and bands. The property itself is extensive and having the chance to relax and turn off from everyday life brings out a creative process that is hard to replicate. The location and surroundings combined with world class studio equipment, purposely designed rooms, great engineers and the option to stay onsite make it the perfect place to work and seem to be unique to this studio. And not to forget, Byron Bay is right on our doorstep!

Head online to find out more about Rockinghorse Studios today.

Empire Music Studios

Essentially Melbourne’s answer to Sydney’s iconic Studios 301, the story of Empire Music Studios stretches all the way back to the ‘80s, where it was originally founded as Studio 52.

Now based in Heidelberg, Empire looks to continue their rich legacy with some of the best recording rooms in Victoria, offering up a creative hub for musicians from all walks of life. To find out more about Empire Music Studios, we spoke with studio manager Paul Higgins for a comprehensive overview of what they’ve got to offer. Give us a brief history of Studio 52: who has been involved with the studio over the years, and how has it transformed into what Empire Music Studios is today? Studio 52 spent almost 34 years at Johnston St, Collingwood until the building was earmarked by developers and demolished to make way for new apartments. The original co-songwriters and business partners, Trevor Carter and Paul Higgins are still working together and head up the new Empire Music Studios facility. Paul and Trevor met in 1983 and became songwriters, the original studio was meant to further that endeavour but soon became overtaken with the commercial realities of running a business. Before long they were doing albums and singles for the growing indie market. Who works at Empire Music Studios today? Can you introduce us to some of the engineers and producers who inhabit your studios? Trevor Carter is still the head engineer and the main producer, he has so much experience and so much expertise across all kinds or music and recording methods having made hundreds of records. One of our other regular engineers is Mat Robbins who has a long history of working in top studios. He did a lot of work at Collingwood and is keen to work more at Heidelberg. We are also keen to meet up with more photographers, video makers and graphic artists. Currently Stan Traianedes is our main photographer in-house, he is great for music work and also for fashion shoots. Tell us a bit about your main recording rooms? Studio 1 is the smaller of the three main studios but still has a separate drum booth so you do a full five-piece band without any trouble. It’s often used for vocal production, Pop, RnB and Hip Hop but is great for a small piece jazz group as well. Studio 2 has a larger record are of 85sqm and is perfect for just about any multi piece band and great acoustics for jazz. Our main Yamaha C7 is in Studio 2 so it has already attracting some top jazz pianists who say it is the best piano in Melbourne. Studio A, which is still being completed, will be Melbourne’s premier space for orchestral, choir or large ensemble recording. The studio is due for completion within the next few months. It is likely to house a 9’ Yamaha Grand along with a special Baldwin ex-pianola upright grand piano that is around 100 years old. What about the sound reinforcement you’re using? We took over a large factory space of 1250sqm so the first thing we needed to do was sound-proof the steel roof and quieten the whole building, we used a lot of materials from Autex Australia including the acoustic blanket that is used for aircraft hangers and large factories. We then brought in 2 x 40’ containers of high-grade 80kg density Rockwool from China. That has been used to float the floors of each studio and in all the walls for soundproofing. We also used bought 52 pallets of cement cladding tiles for soundproofing part of the structure along with the usual “room within room” methods of studio construction. Finally we have used an enormous amount of Autex acoustic materials including the 15, 25 and 50mm acoustic wall covering and coloured wall materials that are made in Melbourne. We also made all of our own diffusers on site and used a lot of recycled timber and off cut wood in those as well. Empire also offers a number of production suites for artists to hire on a long-term permanent or semi-permanent hired basis. What can we expect from these spaces, and how much does it cost to hire one for personal use? We are looking for permanent and semi permanent tenants for these suites. Currently they can be booked for around $300 or $400 per day but we are more keen to follow the model of Studios 301 in Sydney by having multiple suites run by individual producers who work in with the main business but bring in their own clients and share use of the bigger studios occasionally. We also have a photography suite that we are looking to sublet in the same manner with someone who can also work with our clients from time to time. Empire Music Studios is also heavily affiliated with the Kool Skools initiative - tell us a bit about your involvement with that. The constant desire to work with new artists and to help in playing that first role of introducing people to the industry then led the studio to go one step closer to the source by starting what has been the most important project of all, Kool Skools. This gave the studio the chance to work with around 300-400 teenage acts each year doing original music all around Australia. 2021 is now the 25th year of the Kool Skools Project and a complete rebuild after the project was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. The project has had an astounding impact on the industry helping to launch dozens and dozens of important ongoing artists including big names like Delta Goodrem, Missy Higgins, Casey Donovan, Axle Whitehead, The Cat Empire, Anthony Callea and so many others in and around the industry. Finally, how can we get in touch with you to book studio time, or keep up to date with what’s going on at the studio? Paul Higgins is the main contact for all bookings at this stage. Please call 0412686252 or email paul@studio52.com.au. You can also keep up to date with the studio on Instagram, Facebook and our website studio52.com.au which will soon be replaced with an all new comprehensive site at empiremusicstudios.com.au

Head online to book a session at Empire Music Studios today.

Mixed by Zolton

From songwriting and production to mixing and beyond, Zolton just keeps on establishing himself as of the most versatile assets available to Sydney’s musical community today. We spoke with the head honcho about his mixing ethos, his studio space in Surry Hills and what he listens out for while working on a track.

When you’re working on a mix, what processes do you employ to get the job done to make sure the client is happy? I mix fast and back my instincts. That’s not to say they’re always right, but I’d rather try something than not. I’m an aggressive mixer in that, because of my production/ songwriting background, I can add creatively to a song where needed or just make whatever is sent through sound better. It just depends on the song. How do you maintain your passion and drive to work in such a gruelling industry? I’m just getting started on the mixing side of it, so I’m the opposite of jaded: I’m totally immersed in it and loving every moment. There are so many amazing digital tools these days that help shape and refine sound. I have a great collection of plugins, a good selection of monitors, and a well treated room. So every day I get to spend in the studio being creative is a pleasure. You operate out of a facility in Surry Hills, Sydney. Tell us all about it - when did you set it all up, and what kind of equipment do you have set up there? I moved into this space just a couple of months ago. Prior to that, I was operating out of a less treated room. And the difference is stark! This new room sounds great and allows me to mix louder when needed than I had been doing. I mix fully in the box, using Logic Pro. Plugin-wise I tend to gravitate towards emulations of classic units, unless it’s problem solving software (RX Pro, Melda Drum Replacer) or uniquely modern ways of playing with sound and depth (StageOne by Leapwing, DRMS by Matthew Lane). I love Maag EQs, Lexicon and RC24/48 reverbs, and the Apogee Bob Clearmountain technology is fantastic too. For monitors, I’m using Dynaudio BM5s, SuperCube 5s and Avantone Mixcube. The Supercubes are a little known brand out of Eastern Europe that I read about on the Gearspace forum and purchased without hearing first. They sound wonderful: so clear in the mids and punchy in the low end. They complement the brighter, more expansive BM5s nicely. What are your rates like? How can we get in touch with you to find out more about your services? At this stage of my mixing career, my rates are very reasonable. But get in quick! (wink wink). I’m comfortable working across all genres of music and will always ensure that you’re 100% happy with the final mix. The best way to contact me is via email at zolton@ mixedbyzolton.com. You can also hear some mix samples at my website. I’d love to have a chat with artists at any level of their career about how I can help you realise your artistic vision.

Get in touch with Zolton today at mixedbyzolton.com.

Salt Studios

Salt Studios are a mainstay within Melbourne’s recorded music scene. For 20 years, they’ve provided the Bayside regions with killer-sounding recordings for EPs and albums, and have been at the forefront of voice-over and podcasting even before its recent boom. We spoke with Studio Manager Peter Frawley to find out more about Salt Studios

Introduce us to Salt Studios - what’s your history and who’s involved in the studio? Salt Studios was established in 2001 in the Bayside area of Melbourne. The location and facility was chosen for its character, accessibility and proximity to great cafes, shops and public transport. In 2004 we turned our attention to live recording, and to this day have recorded over 1,500 live gigs and released 40 plus instant live albums in venues across Australia. Salt Studios also provides services for voice-over, podcast and ASMR. How have you seen these fields boom in recent years? Over the past five years we have seen an increase in the need for quality voice over recordings and podcasting services. People now consume just about everything via the internet, and businesses are now producing more and more marketing content and presentations that require bespoke music and voice-over. The podcasting boom has also led to our studio being booked out on a regular basis, with many clients that will produce up to four podcasts in a day. We also produce and update Voice Over Showreels for Professional VO Talent, Actors, Radio Personnel and new talent entering the industry. Introduce us to your engineers - what are their backgrounds, and what do they specialise in? Alex Quayle joined us in 2011. He has years of experience as both an engineer and as a recording musician. Alex’s band Slowly Slowly are well represented on our National airwaves and Alex knows how to get that produced sound that artists are looking for. Ross Caygill joined us in 2018 and has since then become an integral part of the Salt Studios team. Ross works across all areas of the studios, including working with bands and artists as an engineer, producer, and session musician, to working with corporate clients and voiceover artists to bring life to podcasts and showreels. Give us a rundown of some of the equipment at Salt Studios. At the heart of our studio is an AMEK Hendrix console featuring AMEK’s “classic British” preamps and EQ designed by Rupert Neve. Other equipment includes a range of high-end outboard preamps and compressors including API, Avalon, Universal Audio Chandler and Neve. Our microphone collection consists of Neuman, Coles, AKG, Sure, Rode. Our main monitors are a pair of Event Opals as well as an old pair of NS10’s. We also run a Pro Tools HD system using Arora Lynx converters. The studio is connected to Source Connect and has video playback for sound for film and video based projects. What are your rates like? Do you have any grouped recording packages to make things more affordable for artists? Our EP Deal is $2,200 and consists of x5 8hr days for recording and mixing. You can also book multiple EP Deals to produce an album if you like. Our Demo deal is $880 for x2 back to back 8hr days. Our full day rate is $525 and we have a x3hr session for $295 and a x5 hr session for $385. All prices include GST and the use of studio A with one of our experienced engineers.

Find out more about Salt Studios at www.saltstudios.com.au, and get in touch them on (03) 9592 4233 or email info@saltstudios.com.au to book a session today.