2012 Part 1.... Where has the year gone?

I remember when I started this blog. Once a month I thought. Aye. Anyway, here is a run down of the last 6 months. I have had the opportunity to work on some outstanding material in what has been a very busy start to the year. The studio at The Depot continues to build a reputation as one of the best studios to record in the East of Scotland. Here is why:

January

• Finished up the Project DSB album. It is sounding good! 
• Finished Kat Healy's album due for release end of July.
• A little for-fun jam session with some buddies brought life to this track by the aptly named Wolfpack.
• I produced an EP for Backlash and two singles for The Industry both of whom continue to go from strength to strength.
• Live recording with Stanley Odd at the 02 ABC for Celtic Connections. Check out the videos here.

February

• Started work on the Holy Ghosts debut album. 6 tracks recorded and mixed in three days (you read that right) which will make up the first half of their album. A 3 track taster EP is available here.
• Mixing for the Cairn String Quartet promo CD.
• 4 track EP with Toy Machene at the studio. This ended up being the first half of their debut album.
• I also had the opportunity to stand in and help record vocals for two songs for the Pixar film Brave with Jim Sutherland and Julie Fowlis at Castlesound in late Feb. Working on such a big film was a real pleasure and a huge eye opener. The songs are now online here and here. Stuart and Jim did an amazing job on these two songs and am very proud to have done my wee bit.

March

• The Broken Records were in studio doing the first 2 (of 5) weeks on their third album. The band wanted to self produce this record in a more stripped out/wired way then their previous record. Over the next 2 months I tracked 11 songs with the band before it was handed over to Tony Doogan for mixing. Keep an eye out for this record when it is out next year.
• The Firebugs were in the studio producing their first 3 track EP.
• I mastered the Whiteheath Single produced and mixed by Graeme Steel. Grab it for free here.
• Homework back in working on the second half of their album. This one was great fun and the band really pushed it to the next level. I can't wait for it to be out there. Check out the single they released from the album here. 

April

• The lovely Echo Arcadia were in for a weekend working a their new EP 'High Hopes and Low Expectations'. The lineup has been augmented by a trumpet player and new keyboard player. 
• Finalisation of mixes for the Homework album.
• Continuation of the Broken Records album including a day at Castlesound to track the strings.

May

• A final week of sessions for the Broken Records album.
• Second half of The Holy Ghosts album. It is away being mastered and due out in the next month.
• I produced two tracks for the BBC Songs of Praise TV show. I did a similar series of tracks a few years back however this time round the band was augmented by a string quartet, flute, oboe and horn section. This went out on BBC 1 on the 1st of July and is available to watch here for the next few days (16 minutes 10 seconds in).

June

• I went on a lovely holiday to Italy with my girlfriend. It was deserved after those 5 months! I didn't listen to any music for the whole week!
• I was invited to speak on a Producer Seminar at GoNorth 2012 in Inverness. The panel included producer John McLaughlin, manager Francis MacDonald, mastering Engineer Mandy Parnell and myself and it was a great experience to be part of.

• The Das Contras record which has been ongoing for the last year was mixed. It should be finalised very soon and off to be mastered.
• Greg Pearson was in for a day working on his single 'Coming Home'. Greg had started this at another studio however the final product was not up to standard so we re-tracked the vocals, piano and bass and reworked the track to give it plenty of life. Look out for it soon.
• The Glitch were in for a day working on their new single 'Fireworks' due out soon.
• I mixed two tracks for Strange Fish Records latest signing Kill The Waves. This will make up a double A-side due out shortly.
• Toy Machene were back in for a weekend working on 4 new tracks to augment the 4 done in January. The whole lot is being mixed later this week.
• Billy Liar was in for a day making a start on his new EP. Billy has been on the scene for a few years developing his style of acoustic punk but is taking this new material down a more folk orientated route. The first day was a huge success and I look forward to continuing the project with him later next month.
• I mixed a track for Scrum as a tester for their next upcoming record. 

Other Stuff

• We started work on this years Creative Scotland YMI Demo and Rehearsal Project. This is my third year running the program so we are getting very good at delivering an outstanding experience. Keep an eye out for more.
• Plans are unwinding for the next series of Mashup Sessions. I am sure it will be bigger and sillier than ever.
• Other projects down at the studio that Craig has been working on include a mixture projects with Wee See Lights, The Little Kicks and Jack Rowbery. He has also been a busy bee.

Techy Geek Corner
The last 6 months have seen some very serious investment and upgrades to the studio at The Depot. For the tech heads these new additions are:

• A new Avid OMNI and HD Native system. This thing sounds amazing and has upped the studios channel count along side the 96io.
• Brauner Phantom Vocal Mic. This is stunning. The focus and clarity make this out favorite mic.
• A vintage Neumann KM84i from 1974
• A stunning DW Collectors Series Birch drum kit with matching maple snare. Considered to be the flagship DW line, this kick is free to use at the studio on your next session.
• A Vintech 573 Mic amp. That classic Neve sound.

So, as you can tell we are not standing still. The studio is busier than it has ever been and the consistently high standard of work is the most important thing to us. 

Onwards and upwards!

Garry Boyle