Recording

The original version of this article appeared in the first issue of Vintage King's Playback. If you haven't subscribed digitally to our new magazine, you can do so right here. Here at Vintage King, we often get asked, “How do I build a studio for _____ amount of money?” This question is an interesting one, and we can certainly help you find an answer that fits within your budget. The starting point is most likely a question that you must ask yourself: “What is the goal for my studio?” In upcoming issues, we’ll be tackling how to build out several kinds of studios on a budget, but for the purposes of this article, we thought it best to start out with the essential gear needed for a basic recording and mix room. We’ll be covering three pieces of gear in particular: microphone, interface and monitors. Continue reading →

For over two decades, artists from around the globe have been flocking to Maximus Music to find the key to that Southern sound. Owner and founder Ira Parker has propelled the Queen City studio to success and brought in an incredible array of talent including Anthony Hamilton, G-Eazy, Rick Ross, Jadakiss and many more. We recently sat down with Ira for our new Studio Spotlight series to talk about Maximus Music in more detail. Continue below to find out how Ira started the studio, hear his favorite stories about artists working in the room, and discover some of his go-to gear that he picked up from Vintage King Audio Consultant Anthony Erwin. Continue reading →

When synth-pop quartet Future Islands were looking for a studio to track its sixth record, As Long As You Are, they didn't have to venture far from home to find the right place. The Baltimore, Maryland-based group made its way to the world-class facilities of Wright Way Studios, located conveniently within the limits of Charm City. Once there, Future Islands set to work with studio owner, producer, and audio engineer Steve Wright. In addition to handling both recording engineer and mix engineer duties on As Long As You Are, Steve has built an incredible resume over the past three decades working with artists like Mos Def, U.N.K.L.E, Slipknot, and Dying Fetus. We recently caught up with Steve to talk about the new Future Islands record and the recording and mixing process. Continue reading below to find out what gear he used and learn a little more about the set-up over at Wright Way. Continue reading →

Over the last decade, Detroit-based band Protomartyr has been pushing the boundaries of post-punk and how it's defined. The group's earlier work reminds one of Mark E. Smith's The Fall, but they've transitioned into something much broader and more experimental with the release of their fifth record, Ultimate Success Today. When preparing to record the album, the band's record label linked the members of Protomartyr with engineer and producer David Tolomei. David has built a robust resume since getting his start in 2008 with credits on releases from Dirty Projectors, Beach House, !!!, and John Cale. Continue reading →

Over the last few years, podcasting has continued to rise in popularity. Now with social distancing in effect, podcasts have become one of our primary forms of media. You’d be surprised at how easy it can be to create a professional-sounding podcast from the comfort of your own home. If you've got the knowledge and a concept, we can certainly help you achieve podcast glory. Continue reading this blog to discover some of the essential gear needed to make your own podcast or improve your current set-up, in addition to some proper techniques for recording, editing, and mixing. Continue reading →

Wargirl is a six-person garage rock band co-founded by Matt Wignall in 2016. The band combines an eclectic range of influences including current events, world music grooves, dub-centered rhythms, and lyrics of substance. Wargirl makes music that matters, but also makes you want to get down — the soundtrack of our times. The band recently recorded their new record, Dancing Gold, at Matt’s garage-based Tackyland Studio in Long Beach, California. In addition to producing and recording Wargirl’s albums, Matt has also worked with indie-rock icons like Cold War Kids and Mando Diao. Continue reading →

Universal Audio has always been known for its innovation. From legendary mic pres and compressors to game-changing audio interfaces and software, the brand has truly helped shape the landscape of the modern recording industry.The Apollo interface series, which was first introduced in 2012, has played a major role in furthering Universal Audio's legacy. Now in its third generation, Apollo interfaces offer world-class conversion, amazing preamps, and on-board processing for near-zero latency when using Universal Audio's top-notch plug-in emulations. Continue reading →

Many of us have said, "If I only had more time to write, I would come up with better songs." Now that most people have been afforded more creative time due to quarantine measures, we're left trying to find inspiration in truly troubling times. Obviously, you’re not going to love every song you write, but the key to becoming a better songwriter is writing more and practicing your craft. In this blog, we’ll share some of our favorite tips for staying productive and making the most out of your time at home. Continue reading →

All around the world, creatives are itching to get back in the studio. Stuck at home without their gear, many are looking for creative ways to fill free time, while others are trying to figure out how to quickly build set-ups at home to keep up with the demands at work. Vintage King's Audio Consultants came together to build bundles that are specifically tailored to working from home. They've created packages at all different levels, so no matter whether you're just starting out or are already a pro, there will be something to fit your budget and workflow. Continue reading →

Earlier this week, we reached out to our social media followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, asking them what questions they had about Universal Audio's LUNA recording system. Well, surprise, surprise, Universal Audio officially launched LUNA yesterday and made it available for download. Despite his busy schedule on launch day, Universal Audio's Director of Product Management Lev Perrey took the time to answer all of your burning questions about the brand's latest release. Watch below to check out our in-depth interview with Lev, and if you want more information about LUNA, we've got you covered here. Continue reading →