About A Sharp Recording Studio
A Sharp Recording Studio is one of the most sophisticated and oldest independent recording studios in Sydney today!
A Sharp Recording Studio Description
A Sharp is the oldest independent recording studio in Sydney with music first being recorded in the early 1970's. It's been the home to many a recording over the years and has remained an active studio since it was first opened over 40 years ago.
In late 2014 the studio was sold, totally gutted and refurbished which involved a complete acoustic analysis, electrical re-installation and total equipment upgrade. As such A Sharp Recording Studio is recognized in Sydney as a well thought out working living space for tracking and a seriously excellent mixing environment. In fact, Grammy Album Nominee Producer Steve James wouldn't mix anywhere else in Australia!
The choice on monitoring and desk was decided right at the initial stages of the acoustic analysis by acoustician David Spargo of Praxis Acoustics, lecturer at Sydney University. The acoustic build of the new control room took several months to complete and boasts a new SSL 948 AWS joined by a pair of ADAM S3x-H's, NS10m's, Genelec 8040b's and Avantone mix cubes - a diverse range of monitoring options.
As well as the 24 channels of SSL Mic Pres's, A Sharp is constantly expanding it's selection of external mic pre's including 4x 1073's, 2x 1081's, 2 x 8801's, 2 x 512v', 2x511's and 2xTG2-500 with a VoxBox and Avalon 737sp. As many freelance engineers who use the studio comment; there's a well chosen array of compressors and EQ's at A Sharp for a variety of recording or mixing requirements from Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, Neve, GML, Manley, Chandler, Tube Tech and many more.
To assist with fan noise reduction in the control room, a machine cupboard was designed so as to accommodate the three AVID HD I /O 16x16 providing 48 inputs and 48 outputs and Antelope OCX-V for the Pro Toos HDX system. Also, within this cupboard are all the multi-effects processor and reverb units such as the Eventide H8000 and Bricasti Mainframes all linked for ease to their remotes by the SSL.
A large control room window fitted with 12. 5mm Viridian V-lam Hush acoustic glass, provides excellent visibility into the main live area which measures circa 50m2. The room was floated and fitted with a beautiful large plank European Oak floor. With a ceiling of 3. 2 meters acoustic design was important. Spargo requested a full-length flutter free wall, which was manufactured to order in the USA for the studio. Installed for high frequency sound diffusion, this wall controls interfering reflections that degrade sound quality and therefore enhance the acoustic performance of the live area. Many engineers are surprised at what a great sounding room it is for any source recorded, be it drums, vocals or strings. Opposite to the Flutter-free wall a large 9-meter acoustic curtain was installed to provide further acoustic options when recording.
Within the main live room area is an Alex Steinbach Grand Piano (176cm) that is regularly maintain and serviced. Probably 1 in a hundred, this piano is a beautiful mellow sounding piano that has featured on many recordings.
Connected to the end of the main live area are 2 isolation booths separated by a large Solid Tasmanian Oak folding doors. Within are a variety of amps and cabs from Ampeg, Fender, Marshall and Vox. The largest Iso-Booth can accommodate the in-house drum kit; a 1972 Ludwig Maple kit with Mahogany wrap 24", 12", 13", 16".
Finally, there's an excellent choice of studio classic microphones featuring, Neumann, Coles, Telefunken, Royer, AKG and many more.
A Sharp is situated in the suburbs of Sydney in the center of Riverwood with free all day parking and next to an eclectic choice of local restaurants and take-way shops that are open early till late. Only some 200m from the main Riverwood train station, it's a quick train journey to both Domestic and International Airports on the T2 line which is also direct to Central Station and City of Sydney.
Reviews
A matched pair of Telefunken AK47's over the grand piano at A Sharp recording Beethoven, Brahms, Faure and Gross.
Great times
Brilliant result and big congrats to everyone associated with EveryOneBand and the song 'Stand By You' and all for such a great cause; raising funds for Australian Music charity (www.supportact.org.au) Support Act.
We only played a small part in this recording (tracking the horn sections of the song) but great to see that the first royalty cheque handed over to Support Act!
https://everyoneband.us16.list-manage.com /track/click…
Love this hypnotic track from Once Around Saturn, seriously enhanced by the video. Thought that we'd share this with y'all! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHth9Xup9 PA
Once Around Saturn have released a video for their single 'fortress of love' that's getting some 'radio love' and excellent critique! We thought we'd share this with you as Once Around Saturn have been back in the studio.
Slow Culture are launch their Debut EP Oct 5 at The Chippo Hotel and what an EP it is! We're pleased to have been a part of this EP, tracked at A Sharp and Mixed by legendary Producer Steve James.
If you're not sure what to do - we suggest you go and listen to this up and coming Sydney 4 piece band which are joined by 3 other great bands; Neophema, Apache and Cosy Bosom.
Great evening for all - we're all going - see you there?
Thought we'd share this quick vid of Josh Needs at A Sharp with N A T H A N S H E E H Y Music Producer / Audio Engineer tracking some cool guitar parts for his upcoming EP soon to be released!
Great vibe!
Great to see Happy Mag interview Matt Fioravanti a regular face here at A Sharp. Matt's about to finish at JMC Academy and has been working on some cool records and acts recently including Kawame both in the studio and live....
Fab Filter, UAD, Melodyne or DeWalt today! Too early!
Day One on site at the sister studio of A Sharp - Marking out the floor areas according to the plans and acoustic design of David Spargo of Praxis Acoustics (our 'secret carpenter' was on site too!). First delivery of wood and Regupol rubber for the floor areas!
Serious times for Sydney four piece CREO, who have not only just signed a management deal, but have released yesterday their new single 'In The Red'
Listen here - https://linktr.ee/creotheband
Big congrat's to N A T H A N S H E E H Y Music Producer / Audio Engineer for tracking and mixing this work and thanks to everyone for using the facilities at A Sharp yet again!
Another enjoyable day in the studio working with 2 fabulous artists, Amanda Easton and Sarina Jennings.
Both vocalists came up with some serious Backing vocal ideas for an album the studio's been working on for about 6 months now!
Well done ladies!
If you didn't catch this, APRA AMCOS have signed a landmark deal with FACEBOOK that will allow members to be fairly remunerated.
Seriously great, so if you're a songwriter and have not registered with APRA AMCOS, you should!
http://apraamcos.com.au/…/australian-an d-nz-facebook-users…/
Pleased to announce we're finally moving forward with a second site in St Peters. DA approved, and no it's not called B♭!!
We're still trying to put together one of the best microphone collections in Sydney; so we've added a pair of first issue Beezneez Lulu FET SDC to the collection. Truely excellent microphones!
To find out more about the Microphones at A Sharp visit.
https://www.asharp.com.au/equipment/micro phones/
HITMEN DTK are playing live this weekend. Another great gig to see excellent Australian Act if you're wondering what to do on Friday evening! From 7pm at the Miranda Hotel!
Hell - we're going!
https://www.facebook.com/events/379729542 548023/
Pleased to announce a new website for A Sharp Recording Studios. For more up to date information about the studio, equipment and rates for 2018 just have a browse!
https://www.asharp.com.au
If you're not sure what to do tonight or haven't quite organised things - You've seriously got to check this gig out going down at Frankie's Pizza By The Slice at 7PM TONIGHT!!!
Bad Pony, Wolves In Fashion, The Knowgoods and Lost Woods - promises to be a great night! RAD!
https://www.facebook.com/events/249748125 633776/
British Ribbon Microphones Galore!
Some new additions to the Mic cupboard at A Sharp - UK Reslosound RB Ribbon 'Beatles' microphone and a lovely pair of rare Cadenza Vintage Ribbons made in the 1960's by Simon Ltd in London. All great additions to our Coles 4038's and Royer 121's!
Great to have Tim Firth back at A Sharp tracking drums for another of our clients who's currently tracking a doube album!
Tim's sponsored by Gretch Drums, too so whilst he was playing we jumped in the live area to film a few seconds of the master at work!
Excellent studio, excellent engineer and excellent gear. Ambience was really nice and we were well catered for. Daniele just made everything really easy for us and I can't wait to go back.
Excellent studio, excellent engineer and excellent gear. Ambience was really nice and we were well catered for. Daniele just made everything really easy for us and I can't wait to go back.
Excellent studio, excellent engineer and excellent gear. Ambience was really nice and we were well catered for. Daniele just made everything really easy for us and I can't wait to go back.