Studio Info

Stephen Sherrard and DBAR Productions have just moved to a new, and much larger, house in Issaquah, just 20 minutes from downtown Seattle and right off of I-90.

While the studio is located on the lower level of the house, this is NOT a typical "basement studio". The studio boasts a large control room acoustical treated with the incredible RealTraps system from Ethan Winer, a separate studio tracking room including a Whisper Room iso booth, plus a lounge area and bathroom just for the studio.

In the near future we plan on doing some remodeling to expand the studio even more to allow for tracking of drums and small groups or bands, as well as many cosmetic enhancements to make the entire studio more comfortable and artist friendly.

The equipment and software used at DBAR Productions is constantly being added to and upgraded. Following is a partial list of the more important pieces, but is by no means all-inclusive.

DBAR Productions Studio Equipment List

RECORDERS:

• DAW System - This changes once in a while, so write or call if you really care about the exact components.  I'm currently using an AMD64 system with 1GB of RAM and a whole lot of hard drives in swappable bays, with 2 RME Project Hammerfall soundcards for 48 channels (and more) of ADAT lightpipe interfacing directly to the Yamaha O2R96 digital console and other digital gear.  Featured software and plug-ins include:  Nuendo, Cubase SX, Cubase VST, Vegas + DVD, Sound Forge, Wavelab, ACID Pro, Reaktor 4, Reason 2.5, Rebirth 2.0, Fruity Loops 4, Reality, 2 UAD-1 Cards with all available plug-ins, Waves Platinum Bundle, Sonic Foundry Noise Reduction plus Acoustic Mirror, and much more!  This system rocks!  Nearly unlimited tracks of audio, with unlimited MIDI tracks.  Also, check out our huge in-house sample library for that perfect loop or beat.  Or create your own with our great array of synths and modules.
• 3 ALESIS ADAT XTs- 24 tracks of digital audio recording on a SVHS tape! Can sync up with the computer system for extra tracks, or the MIDI system for virtual tracking. If you need more ADAT tracks, more machines can be rented.
• PANASONIC SV-3800 - The newest version of the most popular DAT machine ever!
• TASCAM Cassette deck
  
  

MIDI GEAR:

• KURZWEIL K2500XS - Full 88 weighted key version of one of the best keyboard workstations ever made. Decked out with sampling option & 64meg of sample memory, plus tons of great sounds on CD-ROM.
• Accss Virus B - Incredible sounding modelled analog synthesizer!  This is the one to have if you are into electronic music of any kind!
• KORG TR RACK - The rack mount version of the extremely popular and incredible sounding Trinity.
• ROLAND MC-505 GROOVEBOX - This box is da bomb for any kind of dance, electronica, hip-hop, rap, and other types of rhythmic music.
• ENSONIQ MR-RACK - Ensoniq's newest rackmount, expandable synthesizer module. Awesome sounds!
• ENSONIQ ESQ-1 - Steve's first keyboard, and still one of his favorites for certain sounds.
• ROLAND MKS-50 - analog sound module. Very FAT!
• ALESIS D4 - Older drum module that mostly gets used for click tracks now. 12 audio triggers.
• Software Synths - Atmosphere, Stylus RMX, Obsession, Foundation, Kontakt, Absynth, Pro-53, Intakt, Battery, Reaktor, Reason, Crystal, pHATmatik Pro, LM4, and a lot more. This list is always expanding as it seems I'm addicted to buying software for the studio.

Studio Equipment List Continued

MICROPHONES:

• SOUNDELUX U195 - A versatile and great sounding microphone with a switch to select two different types of responses. My new favorite vocal microphone!
• AEA R84 - Great sounding ribbon microphone that delivers a smooth and pleasing sound on almost all sources. Killer!!
• NEUMANN TLM 193 - That great Neumann tradition continues with this incredible microphone that makes just about anything sound great!
• NEUMANN TLM 103 - Classic U87 type capsule in a modern design. A brighter and more modern sounding microphone for vocals than the  TLM 193.
• AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-4033 - Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone.
• AUDIO-TECHNICA AT-4031 - Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone. Great acoustic guitar sound!
• STUDIO PROJECTS C1 - Another vocal microphone with a bright, present sound.
• SENNHEISER MD 421 - Dynamic Microphone. A studio must! Great on guitars, drums/percussion, and vocals!
• SHURE SM-57 & SM-58 - Standards in both the studio and on stage.
• ELECTRO-VOICE N/D 308A - Great on drums and brass instruments.
  
  

MIXING & MONITORING:

• YAMAHA 02R96 DIGITAL CONSOLE - Completely digital! Digital interfaces for the DAW system and ADATs, so your audio never has to leave the digital domain. Total automation of every parameter on the console for the utmost power in mixing.
• DYNAUDIO BM15A Powered Monitors - Incredible sound with deep bass extension.
• DYNAUDIO BM6A Powered Monitors (5) - A set of 5 of these great monitors for surround sound monitoring
• DYNAUDIO BM12S Powered Sub - A very powerful and deep subwoofer coupled with the other DynAudio monitors for both stereo and surround sound monitoring.
• YAMAHA P2150 - Stereo Amplifier.
• KRK K-ROK - Studio monitors.
• KRK ROK BOTTOM - Powered subwoofer for earth shaking low-end!
• AURATONE - Studio monitors for the real world.

SIGNAL PROCESSING & EFFECTS:

• Kurzweil KSP-8 Multi Effects Processor - Reverb that rivals the high-end Lexicon units, plus some amazing multi-effects and incredible sounding A/D converters. Digitally interfaced via ADAT Optical lightpipe connectors to both the O2R96 and the Computer.
• ENSONIQ DP/4 - Parallel effects processor. Four processors in one!
• TC ELECTRONICS FINALIZER - A mastering tool from the geniuses at TC. Multi-band compression and EQ, sonic enhancement, normalizing, etc.
• LEXICON MPX-1 MULTI-EFFECTS - It's from Lexicon! Need I say more?
• A Designs Pacifica - 2 Channel Microphone Pre-Amp based on the classic Quad Eight designs.
• Presonus ADL 600 Tube Pre-Amp - The ADL 600 is a high voltage two-channel original microphone preamplifier designed by world-renown analog tube circuit designer Anthony DeMaria.
• Chandler Germanium Microphone Pre-Amps (2) - Lots of buzz about these incredible sounding and versatile microphone pre-amps. I just had to buy two of them!
• Great River 1NV Microphone Pre-Amp - Killer sounding microphone pre-amplifier based on a classic Neve designed but with a tighter low end response and lower noise.
• Cranesong Trakker (2) - An amazing analog compressor that can emulate all the classic compressors through use of multiple compression methods and settings. Extremely high end and versatile and incredible sounding piece of gear. I have two of these that can operate independently or as a stereo unit via a stereo link cable.
• RNP / RNC Combo - Great combination of clean sounding pre-amp and compressor from the fine folks at FMR Audio.
  
  

MUCH MORE -- WRITE FOR MORE INFO.