Obscuresounds offers a number of services that can cater for composition and production of audio. Our principle ideal is to keep an element of traditionalism, and facilitate the use of newer technologies where time would optimally be saved.
Our specialist area lies within analogue synthesis; however, the suite is more than capable of production for a wide range of genres utilising the latest software, and hardware. We can also rent and use many pieces of equipment for a given session at the client’s request.
In Depth
Typically in production there are many ways to reach the same goal, and each can be tailored through project specifications or further consultation with us. In general we often find that good results can be achieved through a mixture of both analogue and software based processing equipment (the best of both worlds) – the key benefits to using software lies in its ability to act as a quick sketchpad for ideas before subsequent tracks are distributed to various analogue outboards within the studio. For very short (24 hour) lead times we will tend to restrict ourselves to software only processing, however larger (1 week+) projects will be processed externally across a Mackie 32:8 analogue console desk. All compositions, regardless of platform, go through analogue and digital mastering as standard.
For sequencing Obscresounds use Steinberg Nuendo or Digidesign Pro Tools to carry out the recording work, and Ableton’s Live for dance orientated tracks. Furthermore, on-site clients have the opportunity to use Logic Audio where needed. These combinations of software sequencers/recorders can cater for all areas of production and composition.
The Setup
The majority of our projects are done using the RME Fireface 800 DAW (digital audio workstation). RME are renowned for excellent quality DAW solutions, coupled with good user support. Our suite has two of these units in sync to allow us to map each of the digital domain channels out on to the Mackie 32:8 for live mixing. We often find that mixing on the desk provides more musical results compared to purely digital mixing, and often use the desk when layering a particular composition.
For digital domain editing, Obscuresounds use a staple of mainstream software where time will ultimately be saved. UAD-1 (recently superseded by the UAD-2) includes many high-end plugins which emulate the behaviour of famous compressors, eq units, and channel strips. We also use Waves to tweak the finer details of a particular track.
For a full detail on the breakdown of plugins we have on offer please visit the Facilities section.
