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FAQs

• When can I come and take a look at the studio?
  Email or give a call; weekdays usually work best.
  
  
• Why analogue?
  Just try it! A well maintained, good quality analog multitrack is a beautiful thing. The problem with digital recording is that it sounds a bit sterile. Analog recording breathes and has, simply put, balls. The sound is mainly due to tape compression (smoother, rounder sound) and LF head bump (punchier, bigger sound). Email for more on this subject!
  
  
• Do you offer a mastering service?
  The studio is mainly a tracking/mixing facility; there are several good mastering studios around, well worth the extra expense (top notch monitoring, experience, good equipment ...). Rest assured though, you'll go home with a "pro" CD ready for duplication, but for extra loudness (why?), you'll have to go to a mastering studio.
  
  
• Do you offer "demo" or "CD" quality?
  Good one. Given the current, poor sound quality of CD sound, "CD quality" doesn't really mean much anymore. The main difference between a demo and an album resides in the production type = musicianship and instrument / equipment quality, the choice of studio and time spent in it and so, once more, it will depend on the project's budget. The final CD you'll get at the end of your project here should ideally be mastered by a competent engineer. Now, since NoHype is specialised in a "classic" rather than a "modern" approach to sound production, it's up to you to decide whether it offers what you're looking for.
  
  
• How many musicians can you accomodate?
  Depends. A full drumkit + 2 guitars + bass usually works well with a little organisation. Without a drumkit, up to 6 musicians could play together (horns, strings, woodwinds, acoustic guitars, percussion or an army of synths) and be comfortable. The new room extension in 2005 (an extra 6 mē) will make things easier for full bands doing live takes. But so far, no complaints...
  
  
• What kind of sound should I expect?
  The personnality of the studio is very "early 70's", so listen to some of the stuff done at Criteria, The Record Plant, The Village, Sunset Sound, Wally Heiders etc. around that time. The sound can of course be more "HiFi" and modern, but the whole idea was to go back to the great sound of the Eagles, Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, etc. Listen to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers's late 90's releases, pretty much a good idea of the modern approach to the "classic american" production style; further examples would be Whiskeytown, Ryan adams, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams...
  
  
• I have this particular sound in mind...
  The great thing about NoHype is that the low rates mean that you can actually spend some time getting great sounds, and without having to keep an eye at the clock. This way, you can come closer to what you have in mind and, within reason, any type of "sound" can be achieved.
  
  
• I'm usually not happy with my guitar sound...
  Acoustic and electric guitars are almost a speciality here, but drums and bass sounds are totally unique too! Acoustic guitars are not too hard to record, but it is not easy to get a really satisfying "realistic" sound. With some time to experiment and NoHype's custom mics (and compressors) collection, a good acoustic guitar sound is inevitable!
  
  
• What's up with all the old/funky equipment?
  Most of the equipment is selected for its "sound" first: the compressors collection is a good example: nothing really "modern", but sounds that haven't been heard in a while and great sounds too! Those compressors can make a sound more aggressive, rounder, more present, more pleasant, etc. The Trident preamps have incredible EQ sections, and the Soundcraft console has the right balance of transparency and personnality. Most mics have been modified; some compressors too. You'll hear the difference!