Outstanding Music Studios (Vol. 2)

Again, we will have a closer look at outstanding music studios from around the globe. Volume 2 of the blog article series "Outstanding Music Studios" highlights another four music studios - this time - located in the United States, Australia, Belgium and Italy. If you missed the series' first article, you could find it here. Enjoy exploring the following stunning music studios.

Electric Garden (New York, United States)

Highlights:
Console: SSL AWS900 (24 Channel)
Monitoring: Barefoot Sound MM35, Genelec 1030A, Yamaha NS-10M
Preamps: Neve 1066, Neve 1073, Neve 1084, Avedis MA5, BAE 312B, Burl Audio B1, Chandler Germanium, Electrodyne 501, Focusrite RED 7, Hardy M1, Quad Eight,
Microphones: FLEA C-12, FLEA U-47, Gefell M930, Neumann U87, Neumann U64, RCA 77DX, Wunder Audio CM-7 FET

For more details and a full gear list: http://electricgarden.com/

Clients: D'Angelo, James Blake, H.E.R and many more

Electric Garden, located in New Brooklyn, is a brand-new facility and was completed in early 2018 by Drew Vogelman, drummer and engineer, and Grammy Award-winning mixer/engineer/producer Ben Kane (D'Angelo). In 1986, Vogelman opened his first studio Dessau Recording in Manhattan that was closed in 1999. His new music studio is packed with analogue hear that he has been collecting since the 1980s. A short story of the studio's launch was featured early this year in the Billboard Magazin (January 26, 2019 - Issue 2).

The Electric Garden was built from scratch in an old building that was previously used as a bean sprout factory near the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn. Even if you only take a cursory look at the studio pictures, you will easily recognise the interior's tremendous amount of detail and unique vibe of the surrounding. It looks like it is located on a foreign planet. I am sure that such an environment can be super intense and inspiring not only for the artist but also for the rest of the (production) team. The owners raised 50,000$ through a Kickstarter campaign for the project that was estimated to cast around half a million.

Studios 301 (Sydney, Australia)

Highlights:
[Studio 1]
Console: Neve 88R (72 Channel)
Monitoring: PMC QB1, Barefoot MM26
Preamps: see console
Microphones: AKG C12 VR, Neumann M147, Neumann M149, Neumann TLM 50, Neumann U47 FET, Neumann U67, Neumann U87, Telefunken AK47, Telefunken CU-29, Telefunken ELA M251E, Telefunken U48

[Studio 2]
Console: SSL 9000 K (48 Channel)
Monitoring: PMC MB3 XBD-A, Yamaha NS10M
Preamps: see console, AMS Neve 1084
Microphones: see Studio 1

[Studio 3]
Console: Avid S6 (32 Channel)
Monitoring: PMC MB3 XBD-A
Preamps: Rupert Neve 511, API 512c, Universal Audio 6176, Amek 9098,
Microphones: see Studio 1

[Studio 4]
Console: Custom Series 75 Neve 24/24
Monitoring: Barefoot Micromain 26, Yamaha NS10M
Preamps: see console, Focusrite ISA 428, Universal Audio 7176
Microphones: see Studio 1

For more details and a full gear list: https://studios301.com

Clients: Guy Sebastian, The Chainsmokers, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Muse, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, P!nk, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Kid Ink, Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Busta Rhymes and many more...

Studio 1, the largest one of the Studios 301 complex, with its 75 square meter control comes with additional 201 square meters recording space including two isolation booths and a lovely Yamaha C7 grand piano. It hosts Australia's only Neve 88R console and is equipped with PMC's flagship monitoring system PMC QB1A. The second studio with a 45 square meter control room houses an SSL 9000 K series console. In studio 3 you can find a state-of-the-art mixing, tracking and 5.1 surround sound post-production studio that is equipped with a custom series 75 console and PMC monitoring. The complex also hosts three mastering studios (Studio 9/10/11) and production suites (Studio 5/6/7/8). The facilities are frequently used for hosting events as well such as the Red Bull Music Academy.

DAFT Recording Studios (Malmedy, Belgium)

Highlights:
Console: Neve 5088 Shelford Blue Edition (32 Channels)
Monitoring: Bowers & Wilkins 800 D3 Main Monitor, Quested S8
Preamps: Neve Shelford 5052, Focusrite Red 1,
Microphones: Neumann U67, Neumann CMV563, AKG C12, Neumann M269, Neumann U47 FET, Neumann U87, Sony C48

For more details and a full gear list: http://daftrecordingstudios.com

Clients: Peugeot, Audi, Eurovision, Roche, American Express, L'Oreal, HP, McDonald's, Deloitte, and many more...

DAFT Recording studios consist of one of the biggest recording rooms in Europe and a large control room that is the home of a Neve 5088. The recording room can be easily used to record a symphony orchestra, but also rock, pop or jazz music. A vast collection of vintage backline is waiting to be used if you could not bring vintage amps or electric pianos with you. A fabulous artist penthouse offers an incredible view of the surrounding forest, and a swimming pool and sauna make your stay unforgettable. This eight-person accommodation is included in the lockout rental price of the studio, according to its website.

Art&Music Studios (Milan, Italy)

Highlights:
[Studio A]
Console: SSL Duality (48 Channel)
Monitoring: Dynaudio M4+, Dynaudio 2.2 18” Subwoofer, Dynaudio Air 20 Master 2.1, Dynaudio Air Base 24 Subwoofer
Preamps: Neve 1073, API 512C, Avalon V737, Shadow Hills Industries Mono Gama
Microphones: Neumann M149, Neumann U 87, Wunder Audio CM7 FET

[Studio B]
Console: SSL Duality (24 Channel)
Monitoring: Dynaudio Air 25, Dynaudio Air 20, Dynaudio Air Base 12 Subwoofer 
Preamps: API 512C, Neve 1073 DPA, Neve 1073 DPD, Shadow Hills Industries Mono Gama, Thermionic Culture Nightingale
Microphones: see Studio A

For more details and a full gear list: http://www.artandmusicstudios.com

Clients: Pharrell Williams, Frank Ocean, Fatman Scoop, Tomorrowland and many more...

Studio A, equipped with a Solid State Logic Duality, overlooks more than 200 square meters of recording areas including a drum booth, a piano booth and a 100 square meters live room that allows you to record up to 50 orchestral musicians simultaneously. Studio B is also equipped with an SSL Duality, a smaller one, along with a Dolby Surround 5.1 system. Therefore, this control room is a excellent choice for recording audio material for films, TV spots and Full HD/4K videos designated to top-quality montages. The facility also includes two smaller production rooms.

We hope you also enjoyed volume 2 of the blog article series "Outstanding Music Studios". We already planned to work on volume 3 of the series, so stay in the loop ;)