Lemonade Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 I know we've probably had this discussion before but I can't find it. Basically we're planning doing a spot of recording soon and I'd like to get a recommendation from those who have used them about which is the best studio. I've used Captain Tom's before and have always been happy with the end result, but I've never tried Musical Vision or Exile. How do they compare in terms of recording quality, value for money, sound engineer etc? And are there others that I don't know about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huw Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 there must be more studios than those three in the aberdeen area? or is that actually it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scootray Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 The Mill I think it is? Just outside Banchory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooms Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 the mill was pretty good, but havent been in years, no idea what sort of equipment he uses now.my question here would be what sort of production quality are you looking for?Nick Scholey from weapon is really good (granted I'm biased, as he's my friend, but that doesn't make him any less good! lol)Check out: the latest enrapture recordings, there is a new flood of red demo up that he did (but that is just a spec mix, probably could have made it sound better), and check out ASD stuff and the older Set Light Our Kingdom songs. All of those bands have myspace pages, and although he has specialised in that sort of music (metal/screamo) I know he'd be keen to branch out and do anything really. But again, depends what you're after. If you want to just do a couple of takes of a song live, then yeah go to captain tom's I'd say. If you want something that sounds shit hot I'd go to nick any day of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarvis Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 The Mill, all the way. The boy Neil is sound, has the patience of a saint and always has plenty of ideas to give your tunes that little bit extra kick.Besides all that, he's pretty generous with the tea and biscuits too - extra points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 I've been in a few studios....but I always end up really nervous, so the only one I ever actually enjoyed was the one at Forgue (now closed) as Jim Version was such a fine guy he got me relaxed pretty well, and allowed me to play naffly without suggesting how I could do it better.My advice would be to check out the folks at the studios, and if you get on with them, then use that studio. (Or home-record, and miss out the grief ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam 45 Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 When are you planning on recording? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 The Mill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain burrito Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 does the mill have a website? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cynic Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Don't think it does, yet...but Kartta Rob is now working there, and is aiming to get that sort of thing on the go. Here's some info which might help though...Showcase :: The Mill StudioThe Mill folks are also involved in a new, all singing-all dancing (as they described it) studio at Insch.I still reckon an old cassette recorder is a good bet (but only cos it suits my ability) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaki Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 I've recorded twice at Exile and been happy with both products. I think most things that come out of there are good quality recordings. Listen to the stuff on their myspace and make your own mind up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairyScaryMark Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Based on the results I have heard + reports from other people. I would suggest going to The Mill. Neil is fairly widely repsected and the equipment is of good quality. I also believe he is easy to get along with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stupot Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 I would suggest mine, but Lossiemouth might be a little far for you. We have the best prices in Scotland bar none. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vega Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 I would suggest mine, but Lossiemouth might be a little far for you. We have the best prices in Scotland bar none.Out of interest, what are your rates? Got a website or owt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RF Scott Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 If you're up for travelling, I'd always suggest Chem19 in Hamilton, always! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemonade Posted October 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 the mill was pretty good, but havent been in years, no idea what sort of equipment he uses now.my question here would be what sort of production quality are you looking for?Nick Scholey from weapon is really good (granted I'm biased, as he's my friend, but that doesn't make him any less good! lol)Check out: the latest enrapture recordings, there is a new flood of red demo up that he did (but that is just a spec mix, probably could have made it sound better), and check out ASD stuff and the older Set Light Our Kingdom songs. All of those bands have myspace pages, and although he has specialised in that sort of music (metal/screamo) I know he'd be keen to branch out and do anything really. But again, depends what you're after. If you want to just do a couple of takes of a song live, then yeah go to captain tom's I'd say. If you want something that sounds shit hot I'd go to nick any day of the week.Thanks for the heads up. Where is he based? When are you planning on recording?Hopefull sometime in November.I've recorded twice at Exile and been happy with both products. I think most things that come out of there are good quality recordings. Listen to the stuff on their myspace and make your own mind up.I emailed Mark Nicol at Exile yesterday and as well as having an impressive set up and sound, he's replied with an offer of a deal, and actually taken the time to listen to our tracks on Myspace and make a couple of suggestions. And that's before we've even booked with him - that's the kind of thing that really helps make a decision easier. Tom's haven't even bothered replying to my email! I don't know much about the Mill, but it doesn't seem to have a website, and I hear it's really dear.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Milner Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 i could give you a number for a studio in mintlaw run by one of the people in the band outbox. Its by far the best ive used up here and the guy steve is a saint to work with, its not cheap tho, but, more than worth the money, far more so that the mill is in my opinion. Give me a shout if you want to hear songs we did there or for a number to get in touch with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTickingTime-Bomb Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 The Mill, all the way. The boy Neil is sound, has the patience of a saint and always has plenty of ideas to give your tunes that little bit extra kick.Besides all that, he's pretty generous with the tea and biscuits too - extra points.Generous? Ha!The Mill is an absolute rip off and Neil is WAAAAY out of touch with modern recording techniques (and fucking slow at doing anything).He is a man who is all too conscious about his 30 quid hourly charge and takes an age to work his outdated equipment, which he does inbetween day long tea breaks and tedious stories. I had to tell him to hurry the fuck up a lot. A lot.So in conclusion - don't go to The Mill unless you happen to like REALLY expensive tea and biscuits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Milner Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Generous? Ha!The Mill is an absolute rip off and Neil is WAAAAY out of touch with modern recording techniques (and fucking slow at doing anything).He is a man who is all too conscious about his 30 quid hourly charge and takes an age to work his outdated equipment, which he does inbetween day long tea breaks and tedious stories. I had to tell him to hurry the fuck up a lot. A lot.So in conclusion - don't go to The Mill unless you happen to like REALLY expensive tea and biscuits.did you guys ever record with steve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTickingTime-Bomb Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 No, never did - We haven't really got anything worth recording just now.His sound was pretty lush though as I recall.He did the Kenetic E.P. right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Milner Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 No, never did - We haven't really got anything worth recording just now.His sound was pretty lush though as I recall.He did the Kenetic E.P. right?aye miles better than the mill in my opinion having used both. As i said good guy to work with as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistersticks Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 just got the first mix of our new tunes back from exile, and i'll put them up on our myspace (the marionettes) when they are finished, but they sound really good, Mark has got some new gear, I think it's also great value for money as he spends a lot of time getting them to sound just right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Deathnail Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Generous? Ha!The Mill is an absolute rip off and Neil is WAAAAY out of touch with modern recording techniques (and fucking slow at doing anything).He is a man who is all too conscious about his 30 quid hourly charge and takes an age to work his outdated equipment, which he does inbetween day long tea breaks and tedious stories. I had to tell him to hurry the fuck up a lot. A lot.So in conclusion - don't go to The Mill unless you happen to like REALLY expensive tea and biscuits.That's a pretty harsh post about Niall. He is a very talented man who can really help bring a mix together. The Mill can give the best live drum sound of any studio I've heard in Aberdeen let alone the possibilities of guitar and vocals. The weakest point in the Mill's set up (and I have discussed this with Niall) is the recording software he uses. It's an old program called Vision and it does a fine, fine job for recording and most aspects of editing but it struggles when it comes to automation. It's just not as user friendly as ProTools or Logic when it comes to that. The 30 an hour seems to really put a lot of people off as they are worrying about the time and not relaxing into putting in a good performance. The pay rate is something I'm hoping to be able to relax a little and give people a bit of freedom with. Maybe throw a few extra hours in just to get a track right. It does the band a favour as much as the studio. I'm hoping to get a Myspace sorted by the end of the month so please do get in contact if you want to do some recording. I'm quite flexible with hours and really want to work with some of the bands we have up here in the North. The biggest problem with The Mill is it's elusiveness; I haven't seen any advertising for it (and I've been up here 8 years) and it seems to be known about only by word of mouth. I'm hoping to make it a bit easier to get in contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistersticks Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 That's a pretty harsh post about Niall. He is a very talented man who can really help bring a mix together. The Mill can give the best live drum sound of any studio I've heard in Aberdeen let alone the possibilities of guitar and vocals. The weakest point in the Mill's set up (and I have discussed this with Niall) is the recording software he uses. It's an old program called Vision and it does a fine, fine job for recording and most aspects of editing but it struggles when it comes to automation. It's just not as user friendly as ProTools or Logic when it comes to that. The 30 an hour seems to really put a lot of people off as they are worrying about the time and not relaxing into putting in a good performance. The pay rate is something I'm hoping to be able to relax a little and give people a bit of freedom with. Maybe throw a few extra hours in just to get a track right. It does the band a favour as much as the studio. I'm hoping to get a Myspace sorted by the end of the month so please do get in contact if you want to do some recording. I'm quite flexible with hours and really want to work with some of the bands we have up here in the North. The biggest problem with The Mill is it's elusiveness; I haven't seen any advertising for it (and I've been up here 8 years) and it seems to be known about only by word of mouth. I'm hoping to make it a bit easier to get in contact.aye i've heard it's good, i also heard that they record the drums with mic's that are suspended from the the high walls which creates a sort of ambience, is this bullshit? cos i think it sounds pretty cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Deathnail Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 i also heard that they record the drums with mic's that are suspended from the the high walls which creates a sort of ambience, is this bullshit? cos i think it sounds pretty coolI always close mic the kit but the lucky thing that The Mill has is a lovely live room which is half stone, half wood and there are always two ambient mics in place to capture the room sound. They help to add a nice element. I don't usually use a lot of them but they come in really useful for natural ambience and colour. There was a third mic suspended about half way up the ceiling which was supposed to be great. I'm hoping to one back up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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