Capture the Performance. Shape the Sound. Create the Record.

Great recordings start with great performances, but the recording process itself has a huge influence on the final result.

At Phoenix Sound Studios, recording, editing and mixing are treated as connected stages of the same production process. From microphone selection and placement through to editing, processing and the final mix, every decision is made with the performance and the music in mind.

Whether you’re recording a solo artist, band, ensemble, voice, acoustic instrument or a full live performance, the goal is simple: capture it properly at the source, then make the most of it in the mix.

Recording

A good recording starts long before the record button is pressed.

The choice of microphone, microphone placement, preamp, room and monitoring can all have a significant effect on the sound that is captured.

At Phoenix Sound Studios, each recording setup is selected according to the instrument, performer and desired sound rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

The studio provides three interconnected acoustic spaces, allowing different combinations of instruments and performers to be recorded comfortably while maintaining communication and visual contact between the musicians and control room.

Live Tracking

Large bands and small chamber ensembles can be recorded live, with up to 32 individual tracks recorded simultaneously.

Recording musicians together can capture an energy and interaction that is difficult to reproduce through completely isolated overdubbing. Where appropriate, the studio can accommodate live tracking while still providing individual control over each recorded source.

This makes the studio suitable for:

  • Bands
  • Solo artists
  • Drummers and percussionists
  • Acoustic instruments
  • Vocalists
  • Small ensembles
  • Chamber groups
  • Live performance recording
  • Overdubs and additional parts
Personal Monitoring

A performer needs to hear what they need to hear.

A good headphone or monitor mix can have a direct impact on performance, confidence and timing, particularly when recording multiple musicians at once.

Phoenix Sound Studios provides individual personal monitoring, with up to 16 separate monitor channels available.

This means each performer can have a monitor mix tailored to their needs without affecting what other musicians are hearing.

Want more vocal?

More drums?

Less guitar?

More of yourself?

Your monitor mix can be adjusted independently so you can concentrate on performing rather than fighting with the mix in your headphones.

Microphones, Preamps & Recording Equipment

The studio has a broad selection of professional microphones, microphone preamps and recording equipment, allowing recording setups to be tailored to the source.

Available equipment includes microphones from manufacturers such as Neumann, AKG, Shure, RØDE, Audio-Technica and others, together with preamps and front-end equipment from Neve, Universal Audio, Avalon, RME and TASCAM.

The studio also has access to a range of acoustic and electronic instruments, including Yamaha Maple Custom and Recording Custom drum kits, Roland V-Drums, amplifiers, guitars and other recording equipment.

The equipment is there to serve the recording—not the other way around.

Editing

Once the recording is complete, editing can be used to refine the performance while retaining its musical character.

Editing might be as simple as removing unwanted noise or tightening a section, or as involved as working through an entire multitrack performance.

Depending on the project, editing can include:

  • Comping the best performances
  • Tightening timing
  • Correcting or refining individual sections
  • Removing unwanted noise
  • Cleaning up gaps and edits
  • Repairing clicks, pops and other artefacts
  • Fine-tuning vocal performances
  • Editing guitar, bass and other instruments
  • Drum editing and timing correction
  • Arranging and restructuring sections
  • Preparing tracks for mixing

The objective is not to make every performance mechanically perfect.

Good editing should support the music and performance rather than remove the human qualities that make a recording feel real.

Mixing

Mixing is where the individual recorded elements are brought together to create the finished sound of the song.

A multitrack recording may contain dozens of individual tracks, but the listener ultimately experiences them as one coherent piece of music.

Mixing involves making decisions about:

  • Volume and balance
  • Panning and stereo placement
  • Equalisation
  • Compression
  • Reverb and ambience
  • Delay and effects
  • Dynamics
  • Automation
  • Frequency separation
  • Depth and stereo image
  • Vocal placement and clarity
  • Overall musical impact

The mix should allow every important element to contribute without competing unnecessarily with everything else.

Musical Mixing

Mixing is not simply a technical exercise.

Different songs require different approaches. A rock recording may need energy and impact, while a jazz performance may benefit from preserving more of the natural dynamics and room sound. A vocal-driven production may require a completely different approach again.

The mix should support the arrangement, performance and emotion of the music.

Where appropriate, automation can also be used to make the mix evolve throughout the song—bringing elements forward, creating contrast between sections and supporting the dynamics of the performance.

Mixing for Different Projects

Phoenix Sound Studios can mix a wide range of material, including:

  • Singles
  • EPs
  • Albums
  • Rock and pop
  • Jazz
  • Funk
  • Acoustic music
  • Singer-songwriters
  • Electronic and hybrid productions
  • Live recordings
  • Voice and spoken-word projects
  • Film and video productions
  • Multitrack recordings supplied remotely

Whether the tracks were recorded at Phoenix Sound Studios or elsewhere, projects can be assessed individually.

Remote Editing & Mixing

You don’t have to be in the studio to have your project edited or mixed.

If you have already recorded your material elsewhere, you can supply the individual tracks or stems for remote production.

The process can be as simple as:

1. Send your tracks

Supply the multitrack session, stems or source files.

2. We review the material

The tracks are assessed and any issues or requirements can be discussed before work begins.

3. Editing & mixing

The project is edited and mixed according to the agreed direction and requirements.

4. Review

A mix is supplied for review, allowing feedback and revisions where required.

5. Final delivery

The completed mix is supplied in the required format, ready for mastering or further production.

Remote mixing is suitable for artists and producers anywhere in Australia or internationally.

From Recording to Mastering

Recording, editing and mixing are only part of the complete production process.

Phoenix Sound Studios can also provide mastering, allowing a project to progress from recording through mixing and into final release preparation within the same studio environment.

Additional services include:

  • Music production
  • Mastering
  • Audio restoration and archival
  • Forensic audio
  • Voice-over and ADR
  • Film and video production

This means projects can be managed through multiple stages of production without having to move between different facilities.

The Studio

Phoenix Sound Studios was purpose-built as a professional recording environment, with three distinct acoustic spaces designed to accommodate different recording requirements.

Live Room — 9 m × 6 m

A large, naturally responsive recording space suitable for drums, bands, acoustic instruments and ensemble recording.

Control Room— 9 m × 6 m

A dedicated mixing and monitoring environment for recording, editing, production and mixing.

Vocal / Drum Booth — 3 m × 2.5 m

A more controlled acoustic space suitable for vocals, overdubs, percussion, drums and other isolated sources.

All three spaces have visual communication with each other, making it easier for performers and engineers to work together during a session.

The studio also provides natural light, surrounding scenery and unrestricted off-street parking, making long recording sessions more comfortable and practical.

Professional Recording in Melbourne

Located in Hurstbridge in Melbourne’s north-east, Phoenix Sound Studios provides a relaxed, professional environment for artists, bands, musicians, producers and other clients.

With more than 35 years of experience as a musician and audio engineer, Justin Humphries brings both musical and technical experience to the recording process.

That combination matters.

Understanding how an instrument should sound, how a musician performs and how that performance needs to translate into a finished production allows the technical decisions to support the music rather than get in its way.

Your Performance. Your Sound.

Whether you’re recording your first single, producing an album, tracking a live ensemble or sending an existing multitrack project for remote mixing, Phoenix Sound Studios can provide the recording, editing and mixing services required to take your project from performance to finished production.

Let’s make your recording sound the way it should.

Discuss Your Project

Contact Phoenix Sound Studios to discuss your recording, editing or mixing requirements.

Recording Studio Equipment Brands

State-of-the-art recording equipment including NEVE preamps, Universal Audio 6176 preamps, Avalon 737 preamps, RME, Bellari, TASCAM preamps, Neumann, RODE, AKG, SHURE, BLUE, OPR and Audio Technica microphones, Yamaha and KRK Expose monitors, Sony, Auralex, Behringer, Beyer Dynamic, Canon, KORG, Furman, Meinl, LP, Sabian, Neutrik, Signex Steinberg, Ibanez, Zhiyun.