MTF Week 2 (August 2nd, 2007) "Mixmasters"

One of the most exciting things all year was the introduction to a real life studio outside EMU. Built from wood and mud brick, the “modified house” looked like the perfect studio, set up in the Adelaide Hills. I was interested at the choice of materials and decided to go a little further with is, as Mick the owner and engineer of the studios, stated that he “searched” for the right materials that suited his ears. The soundproofing was very impressive also, with all walls being backed with compressed carpet for up to six feet behind the wall in places.



The advice, expertise and level of knowledge expressed my Mick was terrific, and I could have stayed there for hours. I love his explanation of tape explaining, “it seems to have fuzzy edges that mesh and bring all the other elements together, but keeping the sounds in their own pigeon holes.” I really want to get my hands on a tape machine and become involved with analogue recording, simply because this year, we haven’t really been exposed to it, and I would love to be able to develop and gather an understanding of the differences between analogue and digital on a personal level, and for the simple fact that is just sounds like good fun.



Mick seemed very open to recording itself saying sometime that the best solution is the simplest, like using a good ol’ SM 57 instead of a Neumann U87 – It just comes down to whether it sounds good or not. He mentioned a couple of times that many musicians have a misconception that the “high end” expensive mics sound better, which of course isn’t true in a lot of cases.

References:
Mick at Mix Masters Studios (2/8/07)
Pictures taken from MixMasters website, viewed 8th August, 2007
http://www.mixmasters.com.au/studio/mixconsole.htm
http://www.mixmasters.com.au/studio/mixcontrol.htm

MixMasters