The Studio Environment
Smallfish is a home project studio and in any other house, would be called a Dining Room, so don't expect much more - then again don't expect to pay for it either! The space and acoustic restrictions ultimately limit what can be recorded in situ but NOT what can be produced, mixed and mastered.
Vocal or other acoustic sources are usually single-tracked using a high-end Audio Technica condenser microphone coupled with a Focusrite Platinum pre-amp which takes care of any compression and EQ treatment that might be required at this stage.
Guitar sources can miked and/or recorded directly and post-processed using Amplitube, Powercore Tubifex, or the native Logic resources to provide high quality amp simulation. Alternatively, our Roland audio interface provides a similar service upstream.
The Hardware and Software
- MacBook Pro
- Alesis Monitor 1 mark IIs
- Cubase Studio 4
- Logic Studio
- Powercore DSP
- Mackie Onyx Sattelite Interface
- Roland UA700 A/D Interface
- Evolution MK225 Midi keyboard/controller
- Roland HD-1 electronic/MIDI drum kit
We use a MacBook Pro running the latest, registered versions of Cubase and Logic. The audio interface is a Mackie Onyx Sattelite which allows for 2 channel recording at 24bit up to 96kHz. Midi is handled by the Roland UA700.
Most heavy duty processing tasks are handled by Powercore DSP hardware and a suite of top quality tracking and mastering plug-ins.
For percussion, we use Toontrack's acclaimed Drum Kit From Hell Superior sample library weighing in at 35 Gigabytes to provide outstanding realism and quality - check out some of the clips on the Audio Samples page. Alternatively, where speed and stylistic requirements dictate, we use Steinberg's Groove Agent.
Most other sound sources are provided either by Sampletank XL, Steinberg Hypersonic, The Grand and for Orchestral arrangements, East West Symphonic Orchestra does a great job. We also have access to one of the industry's top composer/producers for jobs where a stunning arrangment is called for.
We own an Ovation Celebrity Deluxe for great sounding electro-acoustic guitar recordings and a variety of other 6 string and bass guitars if needed.
Backing vocals and harmonies can be provided - either male or female.
