Dark Matter | Music & Audio Production

Services

We provide a professional standard of recording, mixing and music production based on Logic software, Apogee convertors and an Amek BC3 analogue mixer. Our system supports 16 and 24 bit .AIFF or .WAV format audio files, OMF files, or complete Logic projects.

Multitrack Recording & Overdubbing

All of our multitrack work is done in Logic software, recording through an
Apogee Rosetta audio interface at either 16 or 24 bit resolution. Microphones include include industry standards from Neumann, AKG, Electrovoice and Shure that cover the majority of recording applications. All signals are recorded through the Amek BC3’s Rupert Neve designed mic pre-amps to any of the Apogees’ eight inputs. The combination of Mr Rupert Neve’s analogue input stage and pristine Apogee conversion is a truly wonderful thing to hear, and will hopefully remind us all why we got into this music production thing in the first place!!

Voice Overs & ADR

We use a vocal booth for perfect sonic isolation and a dead acoustic when recording voice overs and ADR. Dialogue can be recorded while synchronised to a Quicktime movie or video. Microphones and appropriate shockmounts by
Neumann, AKG and Electrovoice.

Mixing

Mixes that I have done have sold throughout the world on labels such as Hed Kandi and Electric Chair (see discography), if you’ve been struggling to make your mix sound like a record give me a call, I may be able to help.

My approach to mixing is a combination of old and new, I use the automation and editing features in Logic, but use all 16 outputs from the two apogee convertors directly into 16 channels of the BC3 for analogue summing of the mix. A range of classic outboard (see equipment list) can be accessed
from any channel on the desk via three 96 hole Mosses & Mitchell bantam patchbays. Monitoring is via a pair of PMC TB2S+ powered by a Bryston 4B ST amp.

This combination of digital multitrack and high quality analogue summing and processing can produce some fantastic results that are just not possible from traditional project set ups or control surfaced DAWs.

Stem Mixing

This process allows the musician/writer to preserve his/her own balance of components of the mix by producing stereo sub mixes known as “stems”.
For example, backing vocals that occupy 6-8 tracks in a multitrack project
could be bounced to a stereo file, preserving the musicians balance of the bv’s before mixing starts. Stem mixing is much quicker than traditional mixing, so as well as preserving your vibe it also saves you money!!

Mastering

The final process in the recording chain before duplication, mastering is the process of limiting and EQ’ing final stereo mixes before compiling them into an album, ep or single for cd duplication or file download.

During compilation many parameters can be set for each mix (track) including fade in + out, crossfade times, relative peak levels and the gaps (silence) between tracks. Red book standard encoding is also added at this stage. This includes track numbers, cd text, and the following codes:

ISRC – International Standards Recording Code

UPC/EAN – Universal Product Code or European Article Number

ISRC’s are provided by PPL registered record labels or performers.
www.ppluk.co.uk

The resulting CD is known as a pre-master, and is the master disc from which all copies are duplicated.

Format Transfers

Do you have any old mixdowns on DAT or multitrack sessions on ADAT?
If the answer is yes and you want them archived then we can help.

16 bit transfer of DAT tapes to stereo .AIFF or .WAV format audio files from a Tascam DA30 DAT via AES digital connection to the Apogee Rosetta 800 interface.

Sample accurate transfer of ADAT multitrack tapes to .AIFF or .WAV format audio files via ADAT lightpipe using an Alesis XT20, Alesis BRC and Apogee Rosetta 800 interface.

Files can be burnt to CD or DVD for archive purposes or transfer to any other audio program.





	Services We provide a professional standard of recording, mixing and music production based on Logic software, Apogee convertors and an Amek BC3 analogue mixer. Our system supports 16 and 24 bit .AIFF or .WAV format audio files, OMF files, or complete Logic projects. Multitrack Recording & Overdubbing All of our multitrack work is done in Logic software, recording through an Apogee Rosetta audio interface at either 16 or 24 bit resolution. Microphones include include industry standards from Neumann, AKG, Electrovoice and Shure that cover the majority of recording applications. All signals are recorded through the Amek BC3’s Rupert Neve designed mic pre-amps to any of the Apogees’ eight inputs. The combination of Mr Rupert Neve’s analogue input stage and pristine Apogee conversion is a truly wonderful thing to hear, and will hopefully remind us all why we got into this music production thing in the first place!! Voice Overs & ADR We use a vocal booth for perfect sonic isolation and a dead acoustic when recording voice overs and ADR. Dialogue can be recorded while synchronised to a Quicktime movie or video. Microphones and appropriate shockmounts by Neumann, AKG and Electrovoice. Mixing Mixes that I have done have sold throughout the world on labels such as Hed Kandi and Electric Chair (see discography), if you’ve been struggling to make your mix sound like a record give me a call, I may be able to help. My approach to mixing is a combination of old and new, I use the automation and editing features in Logic, but use all 16 outputs from the two apogee convertors directly into 16 channels of the BC3 for analogue summing of the mix. A range of classic outboard (see equipment list) can be accessed from any channel on the desk via three 96 hole Mosses & Mitchell bantam patchbays. Monitoring is via a pair of PMC TB2S+ powered by a Bryston 4B ST amp. This combination of digital multitrack and high quality analogue summing and processing can produce some fantastic results that are just not possible from traditional project set ups or control surfaced DAWs. Stem Mixing This process allows the musician/writer to preserve his/her own balance of components of the mix by producing stereo sub mixes known as “stems”. For example, backing vocals that occupy 6-8 tracks in a multitrack project could be bounced to a stereo file, preserving the musicians balance of the bv’s before mixing starts. Stem mixing is much quicker than traditional mixing, so as well as preserving your vibe it also saves you money!! Mastering The final process in the recording chain before duplication, mastering is the process of limiting and EQ’ing final stereo mixes before compiling them into an album, ep or single for cd duplication or file download. During compilation many parameters can be set for each mix (track) including fade in + out, crossfade times, relative peak levels and the gaps (silence) between tracks. Red book standard encoding is also added at this stage. This includes track numbers, cd text, and the following codes: ISRC – International Standards Recording Code UPC/EAN – Universal Product Code or European Article Number ISRC’s are provided by PPL registered record labels or performers. www.ppluk.co.uk The resulting CD is known as a pre-master, and is the master disc from which all copies are duplicated. Format Transfers Do you have any old mixdowns on DAT or multitrack sessions on ADAT? If the answer is yes and you want them archived then we can help. 16 bit transfer of DAT tapes to stereo .AIFF or .WAV format audio files from a Tascam DA30 DAT via AES digital connection to the Apogee Rosetta 800 interface. Sample accurate transfer of ADAT multitrack tapes to .AIFF or .WAV format audio files via ADAT lightpipe using an Alesis XT20, Alesis BRC and Apogee Rosetta 800 interface. Files can be burnt to CD or DVD for archive purposes or transfer to any other audio program.
Dark Matter Music & Audio Production • Manchester, United Kingdom • Email:info@dmrstudios.co.uk • Telephone: +44 (0) 161 282 5235