Category: Mixing

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At Deer Hipster Studios, we recently had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with Heineken on their innovative Heineken Silver Sessions. This project brings together sponsored artists for engaging videocast chats, culminating in a collaborative musical performance. As part of this initiative, we were entrusted with recording three tracks featuring a stellar lineup of artists: Dino d’Santiago and Branko, Inês Apenas and Irma, and Ivandro and Pikika.

Capturing the Magic

The recordings took place in a photography studio, presenting a challenge with its big open space and high ceiling. We used an Allen & Heath SQ5 mixer, Shure ULX microphones, and a Schoeps MK41 to ensure each performance was captured with precision. The gain staging had to be very precise to capture the most out of the sound while managing the ambient noise effectively.

Spotlight on Inês Apenas and Irma

The collaboration with Inês Apenas and Irma was a standout moment. We took on the challenge of mixing and mastering their track “Se ao menos”. The recordings were of very high quality, with a healthy dynamic range, which facilitated all post-production stages. Our mixing managed to capture the rawness and liveliness of the performance, ensuring that what the listener hears matches what they see. You can check out the featured track on Heineken’s Instagram.

To achieve the desired sound, we utilized our Midas F32 mixer, Drawmer 1968 MKII compressor, Fab-Filter’s Pro-Q3, Eventide Blackhole reverb, and Waves H-delay. The mastering process, utilizing the API2500 compressor, Fab-Filter Pro-Q3, Amek 200 EQ, Ozone 11 Maximizer, and Fab-Filter Pro-L, ensured the track’s clarity and impact were maximized for digital platforms.

Reflections on the Experience

Working on the Heineken Silver Sessions was a rewarding experience that highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation and communication in music production. It reinforced our commitment to delivering high-quality audio that complements the artists’ vision and Heineken’s brand image.

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At Deer Hipster Studios, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional sound quality, whether in the studio or live on stage. One of our standout projects was mixing and mastering a live concert for Mazarin, a talented nu jazz quintet from Portugal. This project was not only a technical challenge but also a rewarding experience that showcased our expertise in sound engineering.

The Band and the Venue

Mazarin, known for their innovative nu jazz sound, performed at the iconic Lux Frágil, a venue where I had the privilege of working as the head of sound. The goal was to capture the live energy of their performance while achieving studio-quality sound. This meant that if the band chose to release the album, listeners wouldn’t necessarily know it was recorded live.

The Challenge

The primary challenge was to disguise audience and room noise while maintaining the authenticity of a live performance. This required meticulous attention to detail and a strategic approach to mixing and micking.

My Role

As the Front of House, Monitor, and Recording engineer, I had comprehensive control over the mic positioning and gain stage. This setup allowed for a smoother transition to post-production work in the studio.

Technical Approach

We used a Midas M32 mixer, with SM58 mics for vocals, SM57s and a Beta52 for the drum kit, SM81s for overheads, and Klark Teknik DIs for synths and bass. The real magic happened during audio cleaning, where RX played a crucial role. The aim was to create a stage perspective, balancing the clean signal with just enough spill from stage monitors and amps, along with the crowd’s presence.

The Outcome

The result was a beautifully mixed and mastered concert that received national radio exposure, a testament to the quality and impact of our work. This project not only highlighted our technical skills but also reinforced our commitment to delivering exceptional sound experiences.

Reflections

Working on the Mazarin concert was a valuable learning experience. It demonstrated the importance of balancing technical precision with creative expression, a lesson that continues to influence our work today.

Mazarin – Caçadores (live at Lux Frágil)

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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.

Soluna – Undengue Uamie (live at Lux Frágil)

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At Deer Hipster Studios, we had the pleasure of working with Contentor, a talented Portuguese group known for their extraordinary modern pop music. This project involved recording, mixing, and mastering their album ‘Ciclo Curvo,’ inspired by João Eduardo’s book “O Ciclo Curvo das Noites.”

The Band and Their Vision

Contentor, now known as Content, consists of five wonderful musicians who draw inspiration from the world around them. Their music, written in both Portuguese and English, reflects a deep connection to the themes they explore. ‘Ciclo Curvo’ was an intimate project for everyone involved, aiming to capture the essence of the book’s themes.

The Approach

Given the album’s intimate nature, we aimed for sober and raw mixes, only adding effects to emphasize the melancholy or introduce psychedelic moments. This approach allowed us to provide listeners with an otherworldly experience, aligning perfectly with the album’s themes.

Our Role

We recorded all the vocals here at Deer Hipster Studios and took on the task of mixing and mastering the entire album. Using our Midas F32 mixer, Eventide Reverb, and H-Delay from Waves, we crafted a sound that was both authentic and immersive.

Technical Highlights

One standout moment was working on the pre-chorus of “Tudo Tem Seu Tempo.” To reflect the song’s theme of Time, we used a stutter effect, chopped and reversed vocals, and sent them to a delay. This creative process resulted in textures that perfectly encapsulated the idea of a realm where Time defies its usual rules.

The Outcome

The result was an album that resonated with both the band and their audience.

Reflections

Working on ‘Ciclo Curvo’ was a rewarding experience, reinforcing the importance of aligning technical precision with creative expression. It was a journey that deepened our appreciation for the power of music to convey profound themes.

Ciclo Curvo by CONTENT

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Contentor’s fourth album, Canto das Sereias, offers a captivating exploration of our dreaming condition as human beings. Released exclusively on Bandcamp, this album invites listeners into a world of ethereal soundscapes and introspective themes, masterfully produced by Adriano Lanhoso.

Project Goals:

The album revolves around a common theme of a call for action, a dreaming and dystopic future. To capture this, it needed psychedelic and otherworldly textures. On the track “Subsídio de Perdão,” saturated vocals create a speech-like feel, while emotional layers, synths, and delay emphasize the dreaming condition, with in-your-face drums calling for action.

Your Role:

I recorded and played keys on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 at Deer Hipster Studios. Additionally, I recorded all the vocals except on track 10. I also mixed and mastered the entire album at Deer Hipster Studios.

Technical Details:

I mixed the album on a Midas F32 and used the Eventide Space Reverb to create dreamy soundscapes, particularly on tracks like “Dream On.” For the song “Dream On,” Adriano recorded the Kalimba, which had a dreamy feel. I added a nostalgic chord progression, slightly saturated to enhance the nostalgic feeling, and laid it underneath the Kalimba to emphasize the theme of the song.

Outcome:

The band was very satisfied with the outcome, as it was our first project together. The collaboration resulted in a cohesive album that truly captured the intended themes.

Personal Insights:

During the production, I faced challenges like a computer breakdown, which led to the loss of processing on my parts. I recreated textures close to the originals, although not identical. The lack of access to separate drum tracks required a change in the mixing approach to maintain sonic consistency. This project was also challenging due to some of material had already a certain tone. However, the talented musicians’ skills attracted me to work with them, aiming to help them create a cohesive sound, and with adaptation, flexibility and trust, I believe we nailed it.