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The Sound Issue: How To Make It And How To Appreciate It

Staff Writer

We look at some great Aussie recording studios, recording equipment and more

how does it sound, brian? 

by Declan Melia (British India)

I know all this stuff cerebrally, but do I really feel it? For my bandmates it's a no brainer; Pet Sounds is the archetypal pop record, whether you listen with your head or your heart, nothing does it better. For Nic Wilson (guitarist in British India), regardless of how much critical ink has been spilled on the subject, God Only Knows is his favourite song and Pet Sounds is his favourite album. But I'm still left scratching my head, I felt like they were hearing something I was not.

studio focus

soul shack

What makes your studio different? Soul Shack is not a large commercial studio. We like it this way! We strive to achieve a sound that feels good and to make music that is alive, artistic and representative of the artist.

def wolf studios

What makes your studio different? High end gear and lots of it with a large live room (60m2). We located in downtown Redfern/Alexandria so shops, pubs, restaurants are all right downstairs.

tender trap studios

What makes your studio different? It's definitely the space. We've got some nice gear but it's always about the feel of the space the gear is in. And the history of the music made here is in that feel too.

newmarket studios

What makes your studio different? We have four isolated tracking rooms with sight between them all, allowing bands to record live together while having isolation. The impressive selection of vintage microphones and a 24-track analogue tape machine capturing great performances.

incubator recording & mastering

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!

delta king studios

What makes your studio different? The personal touch is something that gets mentioned by our clients. We are a small, boutique studio so we put a lot of care and attention into everything that comes through the door.

main street studios

What makes your studio different? The best value SSL recording package in the country. We have a range of professional equipment and years of experience to bring the best out of every project, no matter which genre.

kindred studios

What makes your studio different? We're a Creative Hub where musicians mix with creative co-workers and businesses, do workshops, use our film and photography studios, perform live, meet in the cafe, or study music at Victoria University.

mycelium recordings

What makes your studio different? Mycelium Recordings is housed in a larger creative hub giving us direct access to a range of creatives including producers, filmmakers and graphic designers. We also have film facilities for film clips. A one-stop shop!

damien gerard studios

What makes your studio different? Two main things. The engineers are extremely experienced and have worked across pretty much all genres. Secondly we are told by clients it's like a big friendly version of their own 'muso's loungeroom'.

lush recording studios

What makes your studio different? We are a professionally designed and constructed SSL recording facility, with both 2" tape and Pro Tools HD. Our equipment list and microphone collection are regarded as one of the best available anywhere in Australia.

studios 301

What makes your studio different? Ninety years of experience, 270 m2 orchestral room, our engineers — best mastering engineers in Australia. We are the last of the traditional large format studios. We can do from large scale orchestras to developmental artists.

trackdown

What makes your studio different? We have the largest acoustic recording space in Australia as well as five other unique acoustic spaces and three mix rooms.

the grove studios

What makes your studio different? It's also a place to get away to focus on your creative project. We have incredible producers that choose to work at The Grove Studios because of the space and gear.

education focus

abbey road institute

What makes your audio course stand out from the rest? The world's only audio production course designed in-house by the global leaders in the music industry. Graduates are certified directly by Abbey Road Studios London and Universal Music Group.

product focus

sennheiser

"We don't make TVs, or phones, or toasters. We specialise in sound, and we are the best at what we do."

denon HEOS

Stick them outdoors or in-ceiling, get floorstanding or bookshelf models - you can have your house song battle itself Pitch Perfect-style if you like.

dyskin ralbar

He calls it the Dyskin RalBar. It combines a teardrop/paisley shape with an internationally patented combination of fret layout and markings that allow complete beginners to play with just one finger across the fretboard. Add in the Roman numeral markings across the fretboard edge, so new musicians don't need to know chord names or shapes, it's like "painting-by-numbers" for guitar.

store focus

music express

"[It's] a great experience with awesome staff who have been there, done that and are still doing it because they are passionate about the music industry and being an active part of it. Our Access All Areas - Guitar Nights are also becoming a real hit."