Studio space(s) / places we've recorded...
This isn't my full-time thing, and I'm usually busy with other work, but if I'm available and the project makes sense we may be able to work something out. If I can't help, I can usually point you toward somebody local who can.
Vintage and simple. I love classic records — Motown, the British Invasion, the 70s, and the sounds that came before everything became overly polished. The goal can be anything from intentionally old sounding to completely current, but without making the tools more important than the song.
Whenever possible I like gear with a real studio pedigree: Neve, API, Trident, UA, AKG, Shure, Neumann and similar workhorse stuff. If the tools are good, they shouldn't get in the way.
Tracking can be mobile, so full bands, choirs and other groups can be recorded away from the studio when needed. Over the years this room has been used by the Exotic Pets / The Maple City, Gay, Observatory and other Effortless projects.
The room has been rebuilt more than once after flooding, flooring and ceiling work, and the equipment has changed along with it. Two lessons I keep trying to learn: buy nice or buy twice, and use the tools you have.
Abbey Road Plates and Vinyl, EMI TG12345, J37, REDD, Real ADT, RS56, King's Microphones, UAD Ampeg models, Ampex ATR-102, EMT 140, Fairchild, Galaxy Tape Echo, LA-2A, Neve 1073, Precision tools, Pultec, Roland RE-201, Shadow Hills, Studer A800, UA 610-B and 1176.
Reaper → Waves / UAD processing → optional RND 542 tape simulation → MOTU 828es → Tascam Model 24 → final media.
For a short period ITA moved into the former House of Bleen basement studio, previously used by Square Root of Margaret. Effortless work here was largely connected to Gay. It was the only ITA room to have a separate control room — which also happened to be my bedroom.
The room later became a rehearsal and recording space for the Exotic Pets and The Maple City.
One of the busiest Effortless periods. Observatory, Hey! Death?, BluIgloos, Underwater Solitaire and The Vague Accountants all passed through here. It was the main Observatory recording and rehearsal space and the point where the setup moved through several in-the-box systems before settling into Reaper.
The birthplace of Effortless Records and an early home for Observatory. The old 4-track approach gave way to DAW recording and then other digital recorders. Bob Hiltz and Brett Samson were a big help in the transition from simply pressing Record on a cassette machine toward understanding how proper studios worked.
Pre-Effortless. Some post-Pseudo Star / pre-Observatory material was recorded here on 4-track. Rumour has it the ghost of the real Captain Canada still haunts the hallways.
Effortless never owned this studio, but we spent a lot of time there. It was Square Root of Margaret's main recording and rehearsal space during its heyday and was also connected to Fifth Beetle and 33 1/3 Records.
Pseudo Star recorded its only album there, beginning around 1997 or 1998 and finishing in 1999. The room later became ITA Studio 2 / The House of Miraculous Recovery.
Pre-Effortless. A Pseudo Star rehearsal and recording space where at least a few 4-track sessions happened.
Another Pseudo Star rehearsal and recording spot. Some Captain Zapoleon material was likely recorded here as well.
Pre-Effortless. Both early Watchtower albums were recorded here, first on a boombox and later on 4-track.
Another very early location where some boombox and possibly 4-track recording took place. The main building is gone now, although the barn / shed survived.
It is less mysterious than it sounds. Around 2004 or 2005 I needed a general business name for computer, electronics, programming and consulting work and used inTouch Advanced. Audio, photography, video and multimedia eventually became part of it. The name was later shortened to ITA, with a bit of a nod to EMI.
The current room is the third ITA studio location. When studio work is billed, it is billed through ITA.