Going For A Take

Despite all the talk about the changing face of the industry and the revolution which is being wrought by Internet distribution of music via MP3's, one thing remains certain. Recording, i.e. the process of creating and putting down music in some kind of permanent format will continue to be the lifeblood of the industry. Stands to reason really. Records, cassettes, CDs, Minidiscs, MP3s or any of the other formats you care to mention are simply the means by which sound is brought to the listener. They are only important in the sense that they are capable of storing music. If a better method of doing so comes along they can (and have been) discarded by the industry and the public. Or to put it another way, the medium is not the message. While formats will continue to evolve into the future, the real business of making music will remain fundamentally unchanged.

That's not to say that there haven't been major advances in the way music is recorded. There have, particularly in the dance arena, which is more heavily reliant on sampling and sequencing technology. But most developments such as the availability of cheaper, more portable digital multi-track machines and PC or Mac based recording have made recording more accessible to bands and artists, allowing them to produce better quality recordings.
Getting those recordings heard by a wider public has always been a far greater challenge. But the good news is that this too has become a lot easier than it used to be, thanks to the aforementioned advances in the way music is distributed.
In the recent past, the way the music industry was organised, the consumer heard only a tiny proportion of the music, which was recorded. Internet distribution puts more control into the hands of the musicians, allowing unsigned artists to get their music directly to the listening public. You might not become an overnight superstar or make your million. But by getting your music directly to your audience you stand a far better chance of making an impact than you did back in the days when record companies solely and exclusively decided what people listened to.
But whatever you do with your music it all goes back to the recording process. When it comes to the availability of studios and recording facilities there can be absolutely no doubt that Irish bands and musicians are well served. Whether your requirements are for a basic demo set-up or a hi-spec facility, capable of turning out a fully-fledged album there is a huge choice of quality studios to choose from. A quick perusal of the Hot Press Yearbook, in which over a hundred studios are listed, will reveal a myriad of choices to suit every budget.

Westside Story
Having first opened way back in 1985 when the Irish music industry was beginning to flourish on the international stage, Westland Studios remains one of the top spec facilities in Dublin.
Westland's client list includes a who's who of both Irish and international music superstars. Among the home grown acts that have recorded there are U2, Van Morrison, Boyzone, The Corrs, Siniad O'Connor. The Chieftains, The Dubliners, Christy Moore, Paul Brady, Hothouse Flowers, Siniad Lohan, Picture House and Jack L. International acts that have utilised the facilities at Westland include The Cure, UB40, Kate Bush, Placebo, Emmylou Harris, The Waterboys and Bonnie Tyler.
Westland continues to attract the very best in the world and has been booked solidly for most of 2000.
"We've been very busy in the first half of the year working on the new Corrs album," says Westland's long standing Studio Manager, Deirdre Costello. "We're constantly upgrading the specifications to cater for new demands. We have recently purchased an Otari Radar 2 digital Multitrack, which has proved very popular with our clients."
3 Into 1 Will Go
The well-known Temple Lane Studios is actually a group of three recording studios in Dublin's thriving Temple Bar quarter. The original of the species is Sun Studios of Crow Street, which since the 1980's has built an enviable reputation as a comfortable, reliable 24-track studio. Its equipment has been steadily upgraded over the years, and now features a wide range of outboard, and several pieces of valve gear.
Elektra Studios is a smaller 16-track studio, which can be found in the same building in Crow Street. The studio is linked to the Sound Training Centre and offers some great deals for those on a budget. The equipment is all top grade and well maintained, the most recent arrival being a brand
new mixing desk.
Meanwhile, Apollo Studios, the jewel in the crown of the Temple Lane triumvirate, is a very spacious, purpose-built 48-track recording studio situated at the top of the Temple Bar Music Centre. It offers a choice of tape formats either digital, or 2" analog as well as valve microphones, plenty of outboard equipment and automated mixing. Recent clients include artists of the calibre of Jack L, Juliet Turner and Damien Dempsey, all of whose Apollo-recorded albums received top critical kudos in Hot Press and elsewhere.

Orchestral Manoeuvres
The supply of high calibre session musicians has always been a vital ingredient in attracting international acts to record in Ireland. The Irish Film Orchestra has provided both recorded and live backing for a host of Irish and international artists including Puff Daddy, The Corrs, Paul Brady, Jamiroquai, Michael Flatley and Riverdance among many others.
The IFO which is made up of the top classically trained musicians in the country also provides soundtracks to films and has worked on The Mammy, A Love Divided, When The Sky Falls, Falling For A Dancer, Dancing At Lughnasa and Ballykissangel.
"There is no shortage of work out there at the moment," says Caitriona Walsh music supervisor of IFO. "The problem is in getting studio time. Most of the major studios are block booked by the big acts we could certainly do with a few more high quality studios."

Keeping Up The Trend
"I regularly meet bands who need CDs for radio plays, or as demos for record companies, but what they don't need and probably can't afford is a big run. It's a serious problem for them."
So says Karen Dignam of Trend Studios.
"The high cost of getting CDs mass-produced is frightening for new bands who usually need less than the minimum run of 500 available in most CD plants."
DEMODEALS is the brainchild of three of Trends' top creative people, Karen, Mary Kettle and Ger Williams, who recognised the difficulties facing struggling artists with no money in their pockets but loads of stars in their eyes, and they set out to find a solution. The result is DEMODEALS, a basic but very professional all-in package designed for anyone who wants to get 100 professionally produced and packaged CDs for record companies, DJs and for promotional use.
Since Trend introduced DEMODEALS last year, it has been hugely popular with young bands and singers because it lets them dip their toe in the water of the music biz pond without risking of drowning!
"We think our package is pretty good," says Karen, "for only #549 (including VAT!) you get 100 discs, digital optimisation, full colour printed insert, barcode and chart registration. We'll also throw in a free copy of the latest Hot Press Yearbook very handy for finding record companies, distributors and other valuable info."
Trend have been in the music business for over thirty years, a fact belied by the youthful enthusiasm of the DEMODEALS team. They are experts in CD mastering and production, and are also the biggest duplicator of audio cassette tapes in the country.
As well as the popular DEMODEALS package, Trend also offer comprehensive CD manufacturing facilities, producing unlimited quantities with full print and packaging options.
"For DEMODEALS or bigger production runs all we need is a master CD or DAT, plus design details from you," says Mary Kettle, Trend's Studio Manager. "As Ireland's leading mastering and CD production house, we can also help with preparation of the source materials."
For more information call Karen Dignam, Mary Kettle or Ger Williams at 6713544 and ask about DEMODEALS. You can also check out their website at www.trendstudios.com/demo.htm

Wired For Sound
Housed within the Factory complex at Ringsend, Dublin, Totally Wired operate a two studio recording complex, Studio One is the larger featuring a AMS-NEVE VR60 Console, with Flying Fader Automation and Total Recall. They have various recording formats with Analogue 2" 24-Track, PRO-TOOLS 24 Mix-Plus, Tascam DA88 24-Track and ADAT. They also offer a vast range of valve outboard/ compressors with classic valve mics.
Studio Two consists of a Soundcraft DC Automated Console, 24-Track Digital(DA88), Logic Audio Platinium and various valve mic amps/ compressors. With two overdub booths, this is a perfect programming suite/ vocal studio. It also has full access to the range of facilities on offer at The Factory, including rehearsal rooms, backline/equipment hire and in-house catering.
"We have had to move with the technology," offers Tom Skerritt who runs Totally Wired along with Ivan O'Shea. "We upgraded Studio One with the installation of the AMS-NEVE VR as we found that artists like to record in familiar surroundings but will mix their material in top class studios so as to get the best of both worlds!!
We have recorded four albums in the past six months that reflect this attitude."
Totally Wired has had an impressive client-list to date including Gavin Friday, The Frames, and INXS. Recent visitors have included Australian outfit Yothu Yindi and The Marbles, while Billy Bragg's highly acclaimed collaboration with Wilco, Mermaid Avenue, was also recorded at Totally Wired.