At Deer Hipster Studios, we had the privilege of working with Soluna, a talented vocalist known for her work as a background singer for the renowned Dino d’Santiago. Soluna’s artistry extends beyond her collaborations, as she captivates audiences with her unique sound and presence. Her live concert at Lux Frágil was a testament to her talent and the vibrant energy she brings to the stage.

Project Overview:

For Soluna’s live concert at Lux Frágil, I took on the roles of Front of House and Monitor Engineer, ensuring the live sound was perfectly balanced for both the audience and the performers on stage. Beyond the live performance, I recorded the entire concert, bringing it back to the studio for mixing and mastering. This comprehensive approach allowed us to capture the essence of Soluna’s live energy while refining the sound to studio quality.

Goals and Challenges:

The primary goal of this project was to capture studio-quality recordings of Soluna’s epic concert at Lux Frágil. This task was particularly challenging due to the crowded stage, which resulted in significant spill. Navigating these challenges required careful planning and execution to ensure the final recordings maintained the clarity and quality expected from a studio production.

Technical Details:

To mix and record Soluna’s live show, I utilized a Midas M32 mixer. Once the recordings were back in the studio, significant audio cleaning was necessary to minimize spill from the crowded stage. Proper gain staging proved challenging, adding another layer of complexity to the project.

One of the highlights was a beautiful guitar solo by the incredibly talented Eugénia Contente on “Undengue Uamie.” Given the live nature of the performance, I embraced the natural placement of the guitar within the mix, allowing it to sit slightly back. This decision informed the overall mixing perspective, capturing the concert from the crowd’s point of view. It created an authentic live experience, where listeners can even pinpoint Eugénia’s amp location on stage, which truly worked wonders for the mix!

Outcome:

The process of mixing and mastering Soluna’s live concert was a rewarding experience in itself. The meticulous attention to detail and creative decisions made throughout the project resulted in a final product that truly captured the essence of the live performance.

Personal Insights:

Reflecting on the project, I was particularly pleased with how the effects were used to emphasize the emotions throughout the show, without overshadowing the live performance of four fantastic musicians. It was a delicate balance that allowed Soluna’s artistry and the band’s talent to shine through, replicating the authentic and immersive experience for the audience.