Providing industry standard production, recording, arranging and mixing services to the musical community at a reasonable price.
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We will work with the same musical passion you put into your compositions. Mixing Engineer
Recording Engineer
I’m typically not a big plug-in guy. DAW’s today have pretty solid stock ones. I do own a few that are better than the stock plug-ins. I recently picked up a few at a really good price. It was fun playing around with them. I can see implementing a couple into my regular mixing work flow. Simple and effect design, my favorite!!
With a new bass player in our band, we have been laying down bass tracks to our existing recorded songs. I had forgotten how enjoyable creating original music is. I enjoy mixing and making everyone’s songs sound as amazing as I possibly can. Care and passion is sort of my philosophy. But I do get so much joy from hearing our own creations come to life.
I recorded drums this week. I had forgotten the amount of preparation needed prior to the actual recording. Tuning all the drums, adding room treatments and some mild isolation to the snare and kick, then checking all the levels of the mics really does require some time. But, the final outcome is worth all the effort. Drums are the most complex instrument to record, but when get it right, wow!!!
Meatloaf, aka, Marvin Lee Aday, passed away today. Together with writing partner Jim Steinman, wrote and created theatrical music infused with emotion and passion. The songs typically were huge songs that were dynamic, progressive and varied in mood. They took you on a journey with his huge voice as the vessel. His songs will live on, but he will be missed…
So I tried a new technique to produce a thicker, more impactful chorus. I was quite pleased with the results. Our band will use the technique on a couple of our original songs. It’s always fun learning a new and useful technique that makes something pop!!
January 7, 2020, a sad day for me and many others. Neil Peart passed. His ability, intelligence, song writing, and humbleness were inspirational. Two years later, and it still feels like there is something missing in the world. Those united three people combined meaningful lyrics and complex musical content into something that was relatable, comfortable. Their music will always be a part of my, being… I couldn’t pick a favorite, too many for different reasons. Do you have a favorite? I’d like to know.
Happy New Year!! Another year has come and gone. I’m not a new year’s resolution person. I might greet the New Year with the desire to be a better person or follow my passions more, but nothing specific. Do you make New Year resolutions?
A little Christmas Fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Pxy6irBlV0A&feature=youtu.be
We are now knee deep into the Christmas season. Christmas music seems to almost be a taboo thing these days. We still enjoy it. We have a mixture of traditional, modern, and, of course, to offset things, a few Bob Rivers comedy Christmas CD’s. Every now and again, a band releases an original new Christmas song. It’s got to be tough to compose a song about a subject matter that has been covered so many times and be able to have a fresh outlook on it. My compliments to bands that can do that. What’s a newer Christmas song that came along that impressed you? The magic of Christmas Day by Dee Snider and Lzzy Hale is one we really enjoy.
Sometimes, just helping someone is payment enough. A simple gesture of giving some free advice to help someone do something better can be rewarding. Doing something to help someone out is never a bad thing. It’s been a trying period in history, don’t forget, we all need help at times. So take the time to be that “someone special” that took time to help someone else out.
The last year and a half has been trying. Lockdowns and isolation isn’t something that we humans are particularly good at. It’s been a two steps forward, one step back scenario for a while now. Have you found other ways to keep active and creative? Have you been able to stay connected with your band and keep moving forward?
Automation. Seems like a weird word to be associated with mixing music. Seems like the opposite to what should be happening with music. But, it is that special tool that makes that snare hit, that power chord, or the intense backing vocals cut through just a little bit more. It helps showcase the emotion of the recorded passion. It adds another layer or dimension to the mix. It takes time, but it is always worth getting to know a song your mixing to help this emotion shine through.
With life being busy, it is sometimes hard to dedicate some time to seek out and find new bands doing great things. One band I have gotten into is Dali Van Gogh. What are some of your favorite new modern rock bands?
Halloween Fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5VQVHmrjL4g&fbclid=IwAR1EJOjfwpJo-S5jfI8-oNyPLvfUaWGdrkPsj_f3RAM956NSQgd8H2QlD0s
Halloween light show synced to the song Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold.
Sometimes being creative and thinking outside the box leads to you stumbling upon something that is one of those “Wow” moments. You try it and are blown away by the impact from something so simple, that you can use with almost everything. You sit back and think to yourself, how could I have not thought of this before? Those are the moments to be thankful you are in a position to be creative and let your imagination take you to a place you never thought of before. Have you ever experienced one of those “Wow” moments with your art?
Last chance to get in on the special pricing for new clients. Deadline is October 31st. Contact us today to take advantage of this offer. Our full, passionate, modern mixes will help bring your musical vision to life. Don’t miss out!
I was thinking the other day do successful artists listen to their own material? I actually enjoy the music I create, and listen to regularly enough. Simple question, do you listen to your own music you create?
We were hanging out listening to music last night, and I threw Silent Lucidity on. I hadn't listened to it in a while. I had forgotten how great this song is. The composition, the arrangement and the performance. Not hard to see why it was a huge hit for Queensrÿche. This song is one of my personal favorites! What are your favorite "softer" songs by heavier bands?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhat-xUQ6dw
I always find it interesting to hear how different artists write songs. Personally, I usually get an idea for a song and let it simmer in my brain. Within a couple days, when I and doing some random chore, a couple of lines pop in my head and I will sit down and the write the lyrics. There are so many ways to write songs. I admire people that can write songs in multiple ways. Do you have a particular way, or can you write music and lyrics in a variety of ways?
I’ve always admired and appreciated musicians that can set the mood of a song even before the first word is sung. To me, that is true art. This is one of my favorites for doing just that. The way he sets things up before he starts the first verse, just wow. Thanks Peter Gabriel for showing us what is possible!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAzUh_H7yV0
The eerie opening track to Peter Gabriel's third (and best) album.
We went to see Cinema Strangiato last night. Whether you like RUSH or not, it was a reminder that they created unique music. Their combination of lyrics, arrangement and musicianship is rare. It was bittersweet, as Neil Peart never got his retirement and time with his daughter. The band that created 2112 without the support of their record label, on the verge of fading to oblivion. One song/album, cemented their place in history and allowed them a long creative career. That’s all it takes, one song that connects with people for a band to become a musical force. Never stop striving for that one song, or album
Music is such a big part of my life. Since I was a kid, I have always anticipated releases by the bands I followed. I would, at the time, run out and buy a copy, and still do, well, digitally now! So many bands over the years have impacted my life. Some helped me release anger, feel sorrow, feel joy, or heal. They also shaped me as a musician. And some were produced so damn well. Sometimes I just listen to my favorites and hear how they produced it, all the subtle emphasis on small parts, a snare hit, a bass note, or a random sound that fills a small pause so perfectly. Music is much more than the sum of what has been played or penned. With the right production, you feel it as well. When I mix, that’s my goal, music that you hear and feel.
Another unique musician has been lost. Charlie Watts helped create a sound and style that was unique. The Rolling Stones became a band that is recognizable, not only because of the vocals, but for the music. He will be missed. It makes one realize that the music a band creates is not singular. If you are lucky enough to find others that can come together to create music, don’t forget to appreciate each and every member that has contributed. Don’t take one second of that for granted, since, at any moment, for many reasons, that can disappear in an instant.
Do you have great new music recorded, and want it to have that sonic impact for the listener?
Hook’T Studios is here to bring your music to life through industry standard mixes that have that extra care to emphasize the mood you have created with your music. We ensure you get the best possible sound, and experience, that is catered to you, the artist. Get in touch with us and we can work together to bring your music to life!
Samples:
https://soundcloud.com/user-591075581
Our mix used in a music video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8HVgqOf2ew
https://youtu.be/C8HVgqOf2ew Today we unfortunately have to announce that we are parting ways with our long time vocalist John Scotto due to ongoing health c...
On long weekends, we always seem to listen to music a little more and pull out music we haven’t listened to in a while. It’s funny how you forget about albums that were just so good. Here’s some we have pulled out that just had a feel, captured something extra:
Fist: Fleet Street, Fuel: Sunburn, RUSH: Grace Under Pressure, Krokus: Metal Rendez-vous, Jane's Addiction: Strays, Scorpions: Crazy World.
What albums do you find yourself rediscovering from time to time?
I had the privilege of working with this great band recently. A refresh on a song from 2019, slated for a video pre pandemic. They just did the video, and I was lucky enough to do the remix and mastering. The results were mutually satisfying. Dali Van Gogh, from Halifax, international success story. If you like the music – Dali Van Gogh. Like the mix, Get in touch . Enjoy this Cool song!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8HVgqOf2ew
https://youtu.be/C8HVgqOf2ew Today we unfortunately have to announce that we are parting ways with our long time vocalist John Scotto due to ongoing health c...
I really do have a great “job”. My work entails working on some unknown musicians that really do have a great sense and understanding of writing and arranging music. I really enjoy getting that first song from a band I haven’t worked with before. After all the pre-mixing work is done, I do a quick balancing, and then I take a minute, and “experience” this song that someone has created. It always blows me away the talent that is out there. I then have the honor to help them bring their vision to life. I am very lucky to be able to have those connections and interactions!
A great review from a satisfied client. Why? The ability to bring your musical vision to life. Communication, integrity, understanding, passion and ability are required for mixing. Radio ready, industry standard, full, dynamic mixes will be provided, and that’s what’s required for your music to reach farther. Follow the link below for sample mixes. Hook’T Studios can make your music sound as good as the music you enjoy and love.
https://soundcloud.com/user-591075581
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Free Mix, Yes Canada! Things are opening up. Writing and recording new material? In need of a Mixing Engineer? I will mix one of your new songs to today’s industry standard, Free!! With no risk! Anything in the rock genre; rock, punk, blues, hard rock and metal. See how your music can sound produced, mixed and mastered by someone who is as passionate about your music as you. I’ll work with you to bring your sonic visions to life. Hook’T Studios is here to bring the care, attention to detail, and enthusiasm to the mixing of your music that it deserves.
Free Mix ! Recording new material? Need a Mixing Engineer to take your new album to the next level? I will mix one of your new songs to today’s industry standard.. Free!! With no risk! Send me an email to [email protected] Anything in the rock genre, rock, punk, blues, hard rock and metal. See how your music can sound produced, mixed and mastered by someone who is as passionate about your music as you. Let’s create something memorable together. Hook’T Studios is here to bring the care, attention to detail, and enthusiasm to the mixing of your music that it deserves.
Just picked up a new VST plugin. Great little emulator for an Ampeg amp. It can add a lot of high end or low end, depending on the settings. A quick video to give an example how it can quickly shape the sound of the bass. This shows the extremes, it can shape to anything between as well. I can see this will get some regular use. Give it a listen.
I had the pleasure of doing a remix of this song, off their debut album, by Maximum Shock . It’s called Distance. The result is the combination of a great song and adding sonic detail to emphasize the emotion of the song during the mixing phase. This is what I can do for your music as well. Listen Here: https://soundcloud.com/user-591075581/distance Maximum Shock Bio: They are a 4 man Rock N' Roll band from Sudbury Ontario. With members coming from different backgrounds of rock subgenres, giving them that edge for hard hitting originals and electrifying performances in attempt to resurrect rock N' roll. If you like the mixing, please contact me. If you like the band, check them out at https://www.facebook.com/officialmaximumshock/ They are on Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. You won’t be disappointed!!
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