How to Capture a Live Feel in the Studio

Written by Dave Martin on July 6, 2021.

When bands come to the Sweetwater Studios to work on a project, they’ll often talk about wanting to capture a “live feel” on their record. We’re happy to help, of course, but I’m often amused by the...

Saving Tips for Local Bands on a Tight Budget

Written by Julie Doust on June 29, 2021.

If you’re a member of a local band, then you know how tight funds can be, especially when you’re just starting out. If you’re anything like a lot of small bands, perhaps you’re looking for ways to save...

Compressors Explained

Written by Dave Martin on December 23, 2020.

Some of the items used every day in the recording studio make sense on an intuitive level: The primary function of a microphone is to convert sound waves to electronic signals; the primary function...

CD Duplication vs. Replication

Written by Julie Doust on December 14, 2020.

With the digital world evolving more and more, many artists have turned to releasing their songs digitally, but surprisingly there are still many people who want to have that physical product in hand...

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Written by Dave Martin on November 10, 2020.

Most of my friends are extremely creative: I know singers, songwriters, musicians, actors, authors, painters, sculptors, woodworkers, potters, gardeners, and chefs. In short, my friends are much like...

How to Get a Studio Internship

Written by Rachel Leonard on November 3, 2020.

So, you want to become a studio engineer and you need a good place to start gaining some hands-on experience. An internship is a great way to do that! Internships are usually unpaid but can really help...

A Discussion with Studio Engineers Phil Naish, Dave Martin & Bobby Dellarocco

Written by Phil Naish on October 12, 2020.

Earlier this year, Sweetwater Studio engineers Phil Naish, Dave Martin and Bobby Dellarocco met up virtually with Niclas Jeppsson from 'Your Audio Solutions' for a round table interview where they discussed...

Finding Your Sound in the Studio

Written by Shawn Dealey on September 15, 2020.

Walking into the studio isn’t the right time to decide what your record is going to sound like. I know the feeling of being a kid in a candy store is enticing, but this is the time where having a clear...

Miking Your Acoustic Guitar on Live Shows

Written by Dave Martin on September 8, 2020.

There are a number of reasons to consider playing live gigs using a microphone to amplify your acoustic guitar rather than a built-in pickup and a DI. Perhaps you don’t care for the sound of the pickup...

10 Ways to Get Inspired, and How to Capture Those Ideas

Written by Bobby Dellarocco on August 31, 2020.

Let’s face it, creative blocks are horrible. You want to write something, and you have this grand idea in your head but you can’t seem to make it a reality, so you end up fidgeting with your guitar...