The Sound Issue 2016 Studio Focus: Incubator Recording and Mastering

Answered by: Adrian Akkerman

Studio address: 65 Spencer St, Thornbury

How long has the studio been running? Incubator has been recording the sounds of Melbourne since 1997. The studio has evolved from ADAT multi-tracking (16 tracks) to pretty much unlimited tracks.

What makes your studio different? Skills and passion. I have been recording all manner of music and sounds professionally for over 20 years. Recording drums is a favourite!

What's your favourite piece of equipment you have in the studio? My ears, the warranty's still valid and they get better over time. Second is the Manley Vari-Mu compressor, totally awesome the way it handles audio and simply adds the texture my ears like to hear!

Do you find you specialised in specific genres? The main genre is a well rehearsed project. A project that has direction that can be guided into what it needs to be. I enjoy harder emotive music.

Who have been your favourite artist(s) to come in? So many… Probably Kim Salmon and Spencer P Jones because the raw nature of the process. Definitely big picture sound, I mean warts and all it's about the energy of the song, when nuance becomes gold!

What do believe has been the most well produced album of 2016 so far? I'm still working on it... Don't have one for 2016, 2015 would be Rival Sons — Great Western Valkyrie. Good sounding rock'n'roll with some subtle production lurking in the mix that is there but isn't...

What services does your studio offer? Recording of music, mastering for digital and vinyl releases, voiceover recording, tracking for clients to mix at home, mixing of clients home recordings/studio recordings, session musician service, film location and mobile recording.

Do you prefer analogue or digital? In recent years digital has finally lived up to the sales pitch from its release in the early 1990s. Especially the Universal Audio interface Incubator uses — absolutely musical! Analogue versus digital: just a different tool.

Who would be your dream artist to have record/rehearse in the studio? Since we're dreaming Led Zeppelin 1969-1974 era of course! Absolute masters of their individual instruments and performers as a band.