24 Track Analogue and Digital Studio

For $70.00 per hour , Earwig Studios offers  the MCI 2 inch 24 track. We have two MCI’s on site , one that belonged to Cat Stevens and the other to Bryan Ferry. We usually mix to the Studer A-80 1/2 inch 2 track and then master to digital file for online , CD or vinyl production . We have attractive day rates for longer band tracking and mixing sessions. Note that for shorter sessions a minimum one hour charge applies. 

Individual tape tracks can be digitised to wave file stems with two Allen & Heath ICE 16 track digital recorders that sync up to give up to 32 tracks. We also use these 32 channel in/out interfaces to record digitally for projects more suited to digital recording such as voice work , talking books, foley, advertisements and telephone IVR’s .

Tape can be digitized for archiving purposes or for recording part of your project at the studio then carrying on at home. For example you could record drums and bass  through the studio console to two inch tape  and then take the tracks  as wave file stems, synced up and ready to import into whatever recording software you use.

All prices are GST inclusive.

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Neumann U87 microphone

Earwig Studio analogue mixing desk.

Earwig Studio control room.

As well as wide format analogue tape recorders, analogue mastering, and multitrack digitizing capability, Earwig Studios offer other services usually associated with studios in the high end price bracket.
Upright Piano ,Fender Rhodes and Yamaha electric pianos , Hammond organ with leslie speaker , stereo plate reverb , Lexicon reverbs, classic Urei, Manley, Nekotronics, Focusrite and dbx compression , Neumann U 87 microphone and Soundtracs 44 channell console .All items one would usually associate with higher priced facilities.

The recording room has excellent acoustics with various keyboards, guitar amplifiers and percussion available at no extra charge. The control room is fully soundproofed and separate from the recording room. Both rooms feature soundproof ventilation and the band room is isolated on a floating floor. The outside deck affords an inspiring view of native bush reserve.

The Engineer

Producer/Engineer Darren McShane has an extensive musical background playing in live touring bands and studio outfits such as Stick No Bills, Figure 60 and Chainsaw Masochist. He has written for a variety of musical publications encompassing various styles and forms of music and was a daytime and specialist show DJ at 95 bFM before starting Earwig Studios. Darren is currently playing guitar and singing in Auckland band Superturtle, who will be releasing their sixth album in 2023. They have had numerous songs in the Kiwi FM top 10. Darren has more than 28 years experience in analogue recording.

Digital Recording

Some projects don’t suit tape , if budget is tight and tape purchase or hireage costs are an issue we can record digitally and still utilize the analogue console and outboard gear.

Studio experience and equipment: