| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 30/07/2011 : 23:06:48
So I'm a sound engineer. A lot of the work I tend to get is recording drums. So when I came back to the country I decided to try and build a reputation as the go to place in the UK to record drums. My idea involved building a studio from the ground up with a simple design brief: I wanted the best sounding room in the country for drums. Well I'm 18 months into the project at this point. My main live room is about 29 feet by 20.5 feet with 18 foot ceilings. I'm already getting a steady stream of great work. But the story hasn't finished yet. I am about to start building a stone room, 2 more neutral rooms and a new control room. Anyone interested in seeing a photo blog? |
| 50 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 15/03/2013 : 18:30:24
Decent mics first, outboard later.
Loving the new mikteks. You heard it here first.
Window is still available but you need to work it into the design for best effect. I will also give you my door design if you take the window. Much cheaper and better than buying. |
| stakka |
Posted - 15/03/2013 : 16:30:43
Thanks for the response Trev. Good stuff.
On the software question I was kinda keen to ask as I have only got in to mixing / mastering of late and have therefore not had the pleasure of using / obtaining much outboard gear apart from the live gear I've accumulated for the band hence having to stick with plug-ins. I've a reasonable collection now including a number of Waves (which I know are a bit marmite these days but I got them for a decent price) so I was toying with possibly start getting together some element of outboard gear - though I am only really at the serious hobby level and maybe my funds should be steered towards drum mics 
BTW - not sure if you still have the studio window going, I'm still waiting on Architects and Builders to finalise the design - even though I have now demolished what I needed to in order to make way for the studio ! If it has gone no worries, but if still available I'll try and hurry these lot to see if it will fit in and will let you know.
I will deffo need some doors though if you know of any going cheap - I am quite happy to build my own (have a good joiner to hand) but anything available to kick start things would be handy.
Cheers
|
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 14/03/2013 : 21:04:47
Thanks guys!
The tracks were edited down from full songs. Apart from that there's a bit of bus compression (hardware - chandler zener) and a software limiter to bring up the levels but that's really it. The intention was to put up some samples of how drums sound in the room so I left it as raw as possible with no other jiggery pokery (other than mic choice and placement, preamp choice and how hard I hit it) going on. Make sense?
(rock coming soon - I'll try and put something up this weekend.)
as for your broader question, software has come the whole way and if used carefully it can be difficult to tell in the context of a busy mix. It still doesnt sound as organic or 3d to my ears though. Ymmv of course! |
| stakka |
Posted - 14/03/2013 : 08:47:38
After enjoying all the build work it is great to hear something of what the place is all about - drums being hit !
Sounds great, and yeah, looking forward to a bit of rock!
Without giving all your secrets away, was there much work done after tracking those ? I can hear there is a bit of panning but much effects or is that a fairly dry mix? It does sound nice and natural? Also if you do add some flavours do you lean towards outboard gear or plug ins more these days ? - I'm just keen to hear your views on how much software / in the box mixing has come on these days.
Cheers |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 14/03/2013 : 08:07:16
quote:
Originally posted by TrevCircleStudios
Nobody like 'em?
I've been on lunch break for a fewdays! Sound good! |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 22:57:44
good feedback about the player. How long are we talking? (Its fine here)
Rock kit coming. As well as some completed tracks! Watch this space. |
| rufusisdrumming |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 22:24:44
quote:
Originally posted by TrevCircleStudios
Nobody like 'em?
Sounded good to me. I know you're still finishing up but I'd be quite interested in hearing a "rock" kit and maybe in that vain some slightly more produced stuff.
I've been following this build from the beginning and it looks fantastic. Can't believe all those wires. I can barely survive dealing with my 8 track set up.  |
| moosetication |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 21:02:48
I think a possible problem is that the player takes forever to load up a track, and you get no visual feedback that it's doing so.
That said ... very nice. |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 18:25:26
Nobody like 'em? |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 09/03/2013 : 21:45:00
I thought you might be interested in hearing some drums. There's clips from three different sessions over here:
http://www.circlestudios.co.uk/soundfiles |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 01/03/2013 : 08:38:07
Blimey, that looks horrifying to me as I HATE cables. Luckily I rarely need more than 5 mics at a time for my work. Always best to leave them loose though even if it does look messy! |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 28/02/2013 : 23:52:56
Here's what 94 microphone tie-lines into the control room looks like:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN9617_zps725eed88.jpg |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 17/02/2013 : 09:31:04
Very nice. |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 16/02/2013 : 21:33:53
The control room took a step towards being completed today:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/BA5C52B5-7D50-4139-81CE-E233D81888B8-4390-0000089D7A890FE9_zps1bd66f11.jpg
see more on www.circlestudios.co.uk/controlroom |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 04/02/2013 : 21:12:50
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
Looking great, is it all complete now?
Sadly not. The aircon isnt in an room yet. This has the knock on effect that the ceiling in the wooden room can't be completed. In addition:
-the stone room floor and polydiffusors still aren't yet done
-The audio panels in the 3 new live rooms aren't yet fitted
-the patch matrix for the whole complex isn't done
- door seals haven't all been fitted
- carpet runner in hall isn't down
- control room glass isn't yet in
-big room glass isnt yet sealed
-and a whole host of other little bits and pieces...
|
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 04/02/2013 : 10:31:58
Looking great, is it all complete now? |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 03/02/2013 : 22:33:38
website has had a refurb. The best drum recording studio in England? The UK?? Or even the world??? 
http://www.circlestudios.co.uk/recordingdrums |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 15/01/2013 : 20:31:08
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
quote:
Originally posted by TrevCircleStudios
harhar. You must be stoned ;-)
Blasphemy! Are there any women here?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNeq2Utm0nU |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 15/01/2013 : 08:49:30
quote:
Originally posted by TrevCircleStudios
harhar. You must be stoned ;-)
Blasphemy! Are there any women here?! |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 14/01/2013 : 21:56:29
harhar. You must be stoned ;-) |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 13/01/2013 : 11:25:12
Gabions!¬
Looks great Trev, the Heavy Rock drummers will love it.
(Coat) |
| Cardiacs955i |
Posted - 11/01/2013 : 09:02:10
quote:
Originally posted by TrevCircleStudios
close, but no cigar. We are going to make the most diffusive stone room, for the most mahoosive sounding drums, in the western world. Here goes:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/D430EFB2-CFC4-4477-867B-FF3B23B3D0CB-198-000000D2324A608B.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/FF825E9A-5372-4DBC-9C95-E3AF6EAE6278-198-00000125FA5CB7E0.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/274AED81-E2B8-4CE3-990B-6389DA8B8FAC-1651-000001D67F143187.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/C5CDEB33-65A5-4A3E-A8FA-D64DFD012514-2018-000001FB2073ECEA.jpg[/IMG]
and it's done!
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN9129_zps2ac2cce0.jpg[/IMG]
Interesting use for gabions |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 10/01/2013 : 23:46:01
no chance. Their designed for much heavier weights than that!
And with mood lighting (aka, the gates of doom are right here in Birmingham):
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN9058_zps452d3261.jpg |
| moosetication |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 23:11:11
Bloody hell. I hope that wire cage doesn't give way! |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 20:19:51
close, but no cigar. We are going to make the most diffusive stone room, for the most mahoosive sounding drums, in the western world. Here goes:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/D430EFB2-CFC4-4477-867B-FF3B23B3D0CB-198-000000D2324A608B.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/FF825E9A-5372-4DBC-9C95-E3AF6EAE6278-198-00000125FA5CB7E0.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/274AED81-E2B8-4CE3-990B-6389DA8B8FAC-1651-000001D67F143187.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/C5CDEB33-65A5-4A3E-A8FA-D64DFD012514-2018-000001FB2073ECEA.jpg[/IMG]
and it's done!
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN9129_zps2ac2cce0.jpg[/IMG] |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 10:40:45
Excellent, a Japanese Zen meditation rock garden for drummers to contemplate before laying down their tracks. Do you plan to set the stones on the walls? That would be nice and lively, esp for snares! |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 30/12/2012 : 20:01:07
Time to reveal the daddy of all drum recording rooms. Here's a 'before' shot:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN9017_zps9bde20e7.jpg
Hmmm... How's this gonna work then?
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/25DDD098-8E7F-4DD0-AB57-D4325D087966-198-000000CB2C86C6ED.jpg |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 27/12/2012 : 11:24:19
Great stuff! |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 24/12/2012 : 19:57:09
So in case you hadn't guessed, it's a wooden room. Here's the side wall going up:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/6D2310FF-AF58-4728-9D9F-0F5B9B7AEF80-887-000001693CF664DA.jpg
And up:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8839.jpg
With a little perspective:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/E25FC2E2-12C8-46B5-8701-00A3D897BC26-1856-0000022D6D9249EF.jpg
Almost there:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/3536EEB1-5FA6-4180-96BE-9EA7C0B70D75-3470-0000053DAC43DFF8.jpg
|
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 22/12/2012 : 21:54:19
As work on the ceiling geometry continues so my latest madcap plan starts to appear:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/90BB2DF0-D639-4695-8659-C7278E2A10A5-96-00000009DAB9B8FA.jpg
and to look like something
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/3F5D4BA6-2F79-4079-8C1E-0E46EB2EDA90-96-00000009E7A45F35.jpg
and just keeps on going up!
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/437919A9-8C95-4332-9C2D-810C477FCA9A-96-0000000A0F65CACE.jpg
Until it gets all the way to the top:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/D3124BB4-20E9-4A68-AE9A-9B87E86760CD-96-000000F1AE456EA9.jpg |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 20/12/2012 : 20:44:11
Aha, neat! |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 20/12/2012 : 20:06:32
So here we go then... we are now putting in a shaped ceiling to maximise the acoustics and nail the particular sound and reverb time we are looking for in the room. In order to minimise any cavity resonance we are stuffing the new shape very tightly with rock wool:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/47A2F993-554D-47D7-AAE0-69E3944A9F8B-22148-00001819ADADE80A.jpg
Here's a bit more of our handywork:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/2BB99B12-FB9C-411A-87DB-AB86DD184722-22148-0000183BFD6FC812.jpg |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 17/12/2012 : 22:51:20
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
Towel rack for sweaty drummers?
"Fish Fryer" lighting box for photos?
Heehee. No. |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 17/12/2012 : 13:41:52
Towel rack for sweaty drummers?
"Fish Fryer" lighting box for photos? |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 17/12/2012 : 13:12:00
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
Frame for holding O/H mics from? Frame for holding up spiky hair cuts?
Heheh. I particularly like the latter...
quote:
Originally posted by skinless
hmmm,something to do with sound conditioning the ceiling?
Getting warm! Here's a bit more:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/53525CFB-A5F8-4FFA-830C-4F3439D47B7D-21383-00001707E798AE0B.jpg
Starting to look like something:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/06FC210F-FED9-43A8-AF79-AD3F99A33FFF-21383-000017DE613E4055.jpg |
| skinless |
Posted - 17/12/2012 : 01:15:11
hmmm,something to do with sound conditioning the ceiling? |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 16/12/2012 : 10:49:13
Frame for holding O/H mics from? Frame for holding up spiky hair cuts? |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 15/12/2012 : 21:23:48
so what on earth are we up to now...
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8742.jpg |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 07/12/2012 : 21:53:32
Still catching up then... painting began in the smallest technical room in the house:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8454.jpg
...and ended (I shoved my assistants in the room to give you some perspective
(did I mention my assistants are both 2foot 6?):
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8593.jpg
The floor then got put down:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8715.jpg
almost done:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8717.jpg
and then got finished:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8718-2.jpg
|
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 26/11/2012 : 08:56:17
Good idea! Reminds me of when I was recording an album at Blackwing in the mid 1980s we had to get B&W band photos for the inner sleeve to the record company very quickly, so as soon as I had finished recording all the drum tracks I set up an improvised Dark Room in one of the toilets, developed the film and did the prints. We were on a small label and tight budget so this was the only way to get everything done in time.
I reckon you will get quite a number of muso clients posing their fancy guitars and motorcycles in front of your infinity b/g. |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 25/11/2012 : 20:29:21
Whoah! I got behind on pictures!
So the white room got finished pretty quickly. Sonically it sounds rally sweet with a reverb time of about 1.7 seconds.
As a bit of a hedge and to keep the place as busy as possible we had a portable infinity wall made in a custom extra wide size. Having fitted it in the white room it only takes a few turns of that handle and the vinyl backcloth rolls down changing the room from a live room/production room into a photography/video studio.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/IMG_1302.jpg
thoughts? |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 17/10/2012 : 17:12:45
The last room got plastered:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8401.jpg
and the white room became, er... white:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8451.jpg |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 15/10/2012 : 20:37:00
Looking good. |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 15/10/2012 : 20:18:16
... and once the plastering was done in that room the smallest room in the place got boarded:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8391.jpg |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 14/10/2012 : 18:51:45
This one should give a little perspective on size:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8432.jpg |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 13/10/2012 : 18:15:32
As promised. The white room with second electrical fix and plaster!
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8387.jpg
and another
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g28/Rimskidog/DSCN8397.jpg
Someday soon it might even actually become white! |
| Scrubdog |
Posted - 10/10/2012 : 22:54:07
Great to see it all come together over the 9 pages trev!
Good luck with everything and thanks for sharing. |
| metallicpearl |
Posted - 08/10/2012 : 22:00:12
Can we make this a sticky thread?  |
| stakka |
Posted - 08/10/2012 : 21:50:13
I'd certainly be up for a day training course on recording drums, up till now I have got to grips quite nicely recording everything else apart from drums, mainly due to not having the time and space (and mics) to do it justice. A recent live sound engineering course I did was great fun, did both a one on one day session and also in a group of 4 and I imagine something similar if you could say either a one to one or maybe host up to 4 students at a time could make it a good earner for the studio and also keep it in most serious enthusiasts budget maybe - but yeah you would want it to sit with your own plans and needs.
But would certainly be keen to hear about that, and yeah, the window, especially if it were mates rates and all that - did I mention you were my best mate he he.
But seriously, any leftovers you have could be of interest if the budget fits. Drop me a note at roger at stonedhouse dot com on anything like that. |
| TrevCircleStudios |
Posted - 08/10/2012 : 20:50:18
quote:
Originally posted by stakka
quote:
Originally posted by TrevCircleStudios
Hey man, you gotta figure you will only achieve the db reduction of your weakest link.
Thanks Trev - Thats the nail on head bit right there. Whilst we are looking at decoupling and substantial mass to be used elsewhere there will be windows so a lot of focus will be on those. But not going too far down the road right now until I get the keys in my hand - hopefully within next 2 weeks ! I'll post up any further stuff in my separate thread to avoid hijacking yours.
Back on the subject of yours -
Once it is all finished are you going to be content with then just running the drum recording business for a while ? - or do you have the next big plans on the horizon ? - not that I can imagine they can get much better than having that place!.
Have you considered running training courses there (recording techniques, gear usage etc) as an extra earner ?- or might that clash with the interests of the business?
Any particular Drummer you would love to get in there ?
It will be sweet bliss not to have to deal with builders any more so I can't wait! Next big plan? Xmas number 1 would be nice I'll post the song I have high hopes for here once the video is released. FWIW if anyone was listening to Smooth FM last Friday it was played live during Kid Jensen's 'drive time' show.
Yeah I've been asked if I'd run some training courses. Am pondering it though it might be invitation only. You interested?
Best drummer? Tricky. I've recorded some pretty amazing drummers in my time. One of my regular clients is apparently bringing Steve Gadd in to do the next session for them. I must admit I'm looking forward to that!
BTW I have a 6' x 4' solid maple studio window for sale if you want to do it properly...! |
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The best drum room in the UK?
