We are running a masterclass with @willlreeves in association with the @musicproducersguild & @pmcspeakers ! Will Reeves is a multi award winning mixing and recording engineer whose credits include Stormzy, Olivia Dean, Maya Delilah, Ben Ellis, and many more.
Tickets in our Bio - 13/02/26
In this in-depth session, Will will take you inside his creative and technical process, breaking down the philosophies and decision-making that underpin his mixes. The masterclass will explore not only how he mixes, but why, offering valuable insight into what it takes to achieve a polished, industry-standard sound.
Attendees can expect practical, real-world guidance covering every stage of the mixing process, from session preparation and organisation through to overall balance, EQ, compression, channel processing, and bus processing. Will will also share the finer details and techniques he uses to elevate a mix from good to exceptional, with advice that can be applied across genres and workflows.
Whether you’re an emerging producer or an experienced engineer looking to refine your approach, this masterclass offers an opportunity to learn directly from one of the industry’s leading mixing professionals.
My usual role in my music is focusing on songs, recordings and mixes with artists.
As a recording studio owner of many years I’ve built a facility that is a wonderful resource for music creation.
I feel it’s my responsibility to share this resource with those around.
In the absence of public funding, government support (or understanding) we’ve simply been getting on with it ourselves.
Recently, we have been clearing space at the studio to record live sessions, acoustic performances and chats with some of the land’s most exciting new artists and music companies.
Shining a light on their skills and their effort is vital for inspiring others whilst also inspiring these amazing people to keep going.
We’re lifting people up, championing their efforts. It’s something raw, something true and something real.
I’m excited to see them get out into the world soon.
UP MUSIC!
Guitar heroes, producers, studio engineers, collectors, bands and guitarists!
What would you do with this Gibson guitar to give it something special & unique in order to help it compliment my collection of guitars in the studio?
Would you modify it, sell it, trade it?
I need some inspiration!
Are you recording or mixing on a physical console?
Have you stuck with it, or are you thinking of starting?
I got this around 15 years ago at a time when most mixers were well and truly jumping into DAW-only mix set ups, digital controllers, immediate recalls and less fuss.
I felt like my mixes simply weren’t punchy, wide or big enough. I researched all my favourite songs, records and mixers and the SSL, particularly the 4000 series kept coming up.
These days I mix part of my workflow on them, integrating Pro Tools, outboard processing, FX pedals and plugins, committing and moving on.
For certain records there is still nothing else like running the tracks out and summing them together through this 2 buss compressor before heading back inside the computer as a stereo track.
I love the workflow, the ease and above all else, the sound!
It might be said to be a small difference these days, but those small improvements are what we obsess over in our process, set up and evolution as record makers.
For me, those differences multiple with every improvement, downgrade or change we decide or are forced to make!
UP MUSIC!
#mixing
#analog
#irishmusic
#newmusic
Ready To Roll is back! If you’re free Saturday 3rd Jan for an hour book in to live record your song! (Pre booking is essential, it gets busy!) we will have a drum kit and amps set up for you and you can do a full live take of your song then overdub vocals and you’ll have a release ready single before you know it, all for £95!! Starting the new year in the studio is an exciting experience and if you want a taste for recording drop us a DM or an email at [email protected] or [email protected] and we will be in touch to book you in and discuss things further!
Ready To Roll is back! If you’re free Saturday 3rd Jan for an hour, book in to live record your song! (Pre booking is essential, it gets busy!) we will have a drum kit and amps set up for you and you can do a full live take of your song then overdub vocals and you’ll have a release ready single before you know it, all for £95!! Starting the new year in the studio is an exciting experience and if you want a taste for recording drop us a DM or an email at [email protected] or [email protected] and we will be in touch to book you in and discuss things further!
I’ve had a magical couple of days with @leakydrums (General Fiasco and session legend!) recording drums at @starttogetherstudio in Belfast, N.Ireland for a really cool album project.
I picked the Gretsch USA kit, 24” kick, 13” rack and 18” floor. Tuned and prepped a couple of snares that were added to with a Bell Brass and a few more.
We captured 19 channels across the album to allow for different sonic moments with room depth & various destructions, with the main sound coming from the FOK array and the “wood room” stereo pair.
Kick in - beyer m88 - Neve 1073
Kick out - Neumann u47fet - Neve 1073
kick Sub - Solomon sub - AEA rpq3
Snare Top - Beyer m201 - Neve 1073
Snare Bttm - Josephson e22s - Avalon 737
Hats - akg 451 - API 312
Rack - Josephson e22s - Neve 1073
floor - Josephson e22s - Neve 1073
Ride - Akg c414-buls - API 312
Overhead L - Coles 4038 - Neve 8801
overhead R - Coles 4038 - Neve 8801
FOK Stereo AEA R88 - Neve 1073s
Telefunken Elam 251 E - Chandler TG channel - 1176
Back of live room mics (sideways)
royer r121s - UA 2-610
Trash mic (middle of room pointing away from kit)
Shure SM7 - API Channel Strip - 1176
Wood Room (room next door to live room)
DPA 4006s - Chandler TG2 - Distressors
All this prep, measuring, tuning and dialling allowed for the greatest time nailing takes, dreaming up fills and layering a few more unusual drum choices, all expertly played and invented by @leakydrums
Now it’s almost time for some rest before jumping into bass.
(The song used was also recorded here by us!)
UP MUSIC!
#drums
#drumrecording
#musicproduction
OUR BIGGEST SHOW TO DATE IS THIS THURSDAY!!! So excited to be officially launching our album live in our home city Belfast - The Whole Damn Cake is the culmination of years of work (and play!) with lots of people and places all over Belfast and we can't wait to celebrate with all of you!
This is a really special line up, we are beyond excited to have @touzaiband and @robynmaddoxx supporting us, they are both INCREDIBLE and for it be hosted by @chordblossom@belfastempire , two local legends for indie music. Throw off the winter blues and come celebrate some joy with us this Thursday!!
Bring your friends, lets party!
Big thank you to all those involved locally in the album, including
@ross_bickerstaff who will be rocking drums with us on the day!
@rockyoreilly for letting us run wild in @starttogetherstudio to record the drums, guitar, bass and some synths
@vaultartistsni for giving us the space and support to build our studio @bsdreamfactory to finish it off
@ilovealcopop for releasing it @wallofsoundpr@amplifyagencyie for all their work promoting it
@artscouncilni & @prsfoundation for funding it
Also big thanks to @billybillywoods for the photos and @bl0atedtoad for the cake!!
And so many of you who have been inspiring, supportive and seen us through the years it took us to make this!! Come celebrate with us!!
Love
Beauty Sleep xoxo
A wonderfully adventurous recording session from some years back with @antleredman from their album The Devil Is Them on @newheavysounds
Studio engineer @nialldoranaudio was on placement from university during this. I was definitely upholding all health & safety protocols.
We broke the rules and maybe each other over a few glorious weeks together. What a super band!
UP MUSIC!
#recordingstudio
#heavymusic
#studiofun
