A guide to the best recording studios in Australia
If you have some sounds to make, and wish to record these sounds onto a format that is favourable to being played back in a way that is pleasing to the ear, you should consider some of the following studios, depending on your location, budgets, and penchant for fluffy rugs.
Seriously though, studio hunting can be a minefield, so we have assembled only the most reputable places around. The major labels, the indies, overseas artists and everyone in-between frequent these places, so I guess this is an OFFICIAL TIO SEAL OF APPROVAL.
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The Grove Studios
A cheeky hour from the Sydney CBD, and located in a Central Coast forest, these studios were built by Garry Gary Beers from the legendary band INXS, and have seen the likes of Silverchair, Eskimo Joe (those dudes get around) and even Garry’s old group making classics there. Sometimes you need to get out of the city to really create.
The boutique school is opening up its doors to a select group of 16 students in its first year, giving them access to a full working recording studio with all of the high-end gear and experienced producers along with it – and a proper qualification at the end, a Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production).
There are no prerequisites for this course, either – only the creativity and passion for sound that all great records. If it’s a career you could see yourself pursuing, you can head along to one of the studio’s upcoming open days to see the place for yourself – it might be your next step towards a career in music.
Studios 301
With ninety years experience as Australia’s leading and best-known recording, mixing and mastering studio, you’d be forgiven for thinking that 301 is steeped in the past. Well, you’ve embarrassed yourself with that misconception, as they just launched their new multi-multi-million dollar studios at Alexandria in Sydney’s Inner-West, with both cutting-edge technology, and classic consoles and gear. We were lucky enough to be treated to a walk-through of the many rooms recently, and we basically want to live there forever.
Wastelands Studios
If you are Perth and want some of that city’s excellent musical magic dust to rub off on your recording, head in to Wastelands Studios, which is owned and operated by ARIA winning artist and producer Joel Quartermain from Eskimo Joe. He has that touch, and his decades of experience in the industry means he isn’t going to mess you about, or try to auto-tune your jazz odyssey.
Forbes St Studios
Another relatively new studio, the facilities opened in late 2016 in Woolloomooloo, and have since recorded gems by everyone from Shawn Mendes, Flume, and Niall Horan, to Billie Eilish and Angus & Julia Stone. They are backed by UMA, but you don’t need to be signed to the label to enjoy that major label sound. Vintage or modern equipment? Well, why not use both?
Debaser
Another legendary Perth space; basically all the good tunes that came out of WA in the late ’90s/early ’00s were birthed in this studio: End Of Fashion, Sleepy Jackson, Eskimo Joe, Little Birdy, Bob Evans and many more have graced these rooms – you probably know the sound already.
Sing Sing Studios
Some of the best records to come out of Melbourne were recorded at the Sing Sing studios on Chapel Street in South Yarra; check out that hefty client list. Analogue and Pro-Tools aficionados are well taken care of, and the mastering suite has sharpened some of the best international records.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.