The studio
Where it happens
Drums want a proper room, so those happen in person. Guitars, bass, vocals and most other tracking can be done remote.
A session, mid-flight
This is what most of the job actually looks like. Nine years of small decisions, stacked.
How it works
In the room
Drums want a proper room, so those happen here. Amp capture and vocals often do too, but they can also be tracked wherever you are. If you're in Sydney or you can get here for two days, this is the part worth doing in person.
Remote
Guitars, bass, programming, mixing and mastering. I've made records with bands I've never been in a room with. It works, as long as the pre-production is honest.
Hybrid
Most projects. Track the parts that need a room, send me the rest, and we do revisions over a shared session.
Tracking session
The room · Sydney
What's in the room
This is here because people ask. I'd rather you judged me on the records than the rack. A 1073-style preamp and a good room will get you most of the way, and the rest of the difference is decisions, not equipment. If you need something specific for a session I can usually get hold of it.
DAW and format
- DAW
- Steinberg Cubase Pro
- Record format
- 48 kHz / 24-bit
- OS
- Windows
Preamps and outboard
- Warm Audio WA273
- two-channel Neve 1073-style mic preamp
- Radial HDI
- studio direct box
Monitoring
- Mackie active monitors, near-field
- Second listening position on a separate pair
- Reflection filter and pop shield for vocal capture
The rooms
- Control room with a window into a separate tracking room
- Acoustic treatment across first-reflection points and corners
Instruments on hand
- Electric guitars, including an extended-range instrument
- Basses
- Acoustic guitars
- Electronic drum kit
- Digital piano and MIDI keyboard controller
Full gear and mic list on request
Nobody was ever hired for owning a compressor.
Book two days
Tell me what you want to track in a room and what can happen anywhere. I'll tell you which parts I'd do differently.