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, and amp capture and vocals often do too.
Remote
Guitars, bass, programming, mixing and mastering, with bands I've never been in a room with.
Hybrid
Most projects: track the parts that need a room, send me the rest, revise in 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.