#studiobuild

[youseejimhickey]

Here it is, my big blank page, torn up and taped back together again, so often. Each time I do, the pieces are smaller, the puzzle is more complex and all the richer for it. I’ve given so much thought to bringing this to an end, failing to see that it’s just a new start after all, already here, fully formed and alive, waiting for me to catch up. Walking into my new space for the first time after completion, I was genuinely terrified, the wait was over and it was time to prove I could live up to it. So I opened the last track I was working on when I left my old studio, cranked up the @genelec_oy and it all came rushing back. I was home. My vision for this place could never have become a reality without some extremely talented and loving spirits, first of all, @rakelacchino for encouraging me to dream bigger and live larger and setting me straight whenever the challenges became hard to handle. @flanalog for always being there when I needed you. Every time. Without fail. I’m honoured. @lowswing_studio and @kraatzstudios for your support and for not letting me back down. My new studio neighbours @key.ratio and @valerio.massucci for your patience and making the whole process as easy as possible. And Wim Tavernier for sharing your woodwork expertise. It’s been a pleasure sharing this process with you in photos and words, and on day 5, the last day of my studio construction recap, thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts with me. So many people have reached out and I hope to see all of you here soon. This is where it all begins and new releases will follow. Much love, Jim x #berlin #recording #studio #studiobuild #studioconstruction #studiolife #musicproduction #genelec https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj-QWHCI6B-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[youseejimhickey]

A question that haunts me every day is “when is this track done?”. Michelangelo said “No great work of art is ever finished”, which I’m sure gave him many a good night’s sleep. Another way of looking at it is, if you can no longer add or remove anything without making it worse, it’s done. I find there’s slightly more comfort in this thought but I struggle to accept it - leaving things out is often crucial and what does worse mean anyway? What comes closest to my understanding of finishing creative work is from Paul Valéry, “Poems are never finished - just abandoned”. This captures the desperation of an artwork’s final moments of gestation; you can only cut the cord, you must free yourself from its temptation. As I drew nearer to the end of my studio construction, I realised this still held true. Getting lost in details and options, simple tasks would suddenly take days to complete. I knew this feeling, all too well, the familiar process of abandonment was starting to take place. This clashes with a core element of who I am. I love to create and I don’t particularly care if it’s something you hear, see or taste. The process of imagining something and watching it become real is something I can never get enough of and letting go of this process is by far the hardest part. On day 4 of my studio construction recap, I’m only now coming to terms with this new reality. It’s time to step away, it’s time to move on to the next project. It’s time to make music again. #berlin #recording #studio #studiobuild #studioconstruction #studiolife #musicproduction https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj7p7StoOfF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[youseejimhickey]

The artists behind the artists - producers, recording engineers, tape ops, techs and studio owners - are, as a rule, a very talkative, enthusiastic bunch. How else could you explain their desire to survive in a notoriously high risk industry, flush with big dreams and timid pockets? This brings a special perk to being an active part of this herd, a wealth of information flows between us. I’ve rarely come across anyone unwilling to share their latest favourite microphone combination, mix technique or experience with inspiring but challenging artists. It has built a solid foundation for the process of building my own studio, after years of hearing about mistakes made, things left out, but also valuable tips for successful studio design. This has been especially true of the floor construction, the star of day 3 of my studio build recap. It seems like a contradiction: a studio floor needs to be thick and heavy while ideally “floating” above the floor of the building to avoid any sound escaping or entering the structure. This took more planning than anything else in the whole process and any small mistake can render the whole thing useless. In many ways, this is a big shout out to all the industry pros who have been happy to share this and so much more invaluable knowledge with me over the past twenty years. I truly couldn’t have done it without you x Photos in reverse order today. #berlin #recording #studio #studiobuild #studioconstruction #studiolife #musicproduction https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj5HtUKohM8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[youseejimhickey]

Day 2 of my studio construction recap. If you think building a recording studio by hand sounds like a crazy thing to do, here’s a little story to prove just how right you are: When I moved into my old studio, in an old Stasi administration building (seriously), it quickly became clear that I would need a vocal booth. The surrounding studios were pretty loud and recording vocals would have been a miserable affair without some additional separation from the outside world. Building walls out of gypsum was a complete mystery to me but in true DIY spirit I figured it was nothing that couldn’t be overcome with determination and YouTube. As always, the learning curve was a bit more steep than I thought it would be but the deed was done and I was left with a sweet sounding and well isolated space for singers. In my new studio, the whole space is, essentially, the vocal booth. I wanted a space that had excellent isolation from the outside world and would allow me to record voices and instruments anywhere in the room. Needless to say, a lot of gypsum was in order, this time with the dangerous confidence of having done it before. It worked out pretty well. Closing the studio’s thick double doors leaves me in absolute silence. #berlin #recording #studio #studiobuild #studioconstruction #studiolife #musicproduction https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj2g_1goAUK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[youseejimhickey]

8 months ago, all I could think of was this moment. I got word that I would have to leave my studio at short notice as the building was being shut down - every producer’s nightmare. Moving isn’t fun at the best of times but it’s especially nerve wracking when you have nowhere to go. It took months of searching, dead ends and a string of calls and meetings before finally finding a place to build my new creative home. And this is the moment that has been my unrelenting focal point every step of the way, the moment it’s finally done. Over the next few days, I’ll share the process of creating my dream studio, built over three hot Berlin summer months x #berlin #recording #studio #studiobuild #studioconstruction #studiolife #musicproduction https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj0MQ7Eo1te/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zephyrpotter]

Reconfiguring the spray booth set up that I did a #reel on two weeks ago. I was really trying to use what I had on hand, and my Vent-a-Kiln hood vent was either not powerful enough or the upward draft didn’t concentrate the airflow correctly. Either way, it didn’t work as hoped. Other equipment I had on hand were likewise not up to the task. I got the idea of the @vevorofficial ventilator from @lucyfagella who posted a great spray booth build on YouTube. It weighs more than my booth though, so I needed to mount it in the window. But you may have heard that Montana is the land of extreme weather, and this true. I’ll be posting a #timelapsereel shortly to show what I did to mount and weather proof the new ventilator. #wip #studiobuild #maker #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #illdoitmywaythanks #ceramicstudiospraybooth (at Montana City, Montana) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgs05QmrGDU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rogersmasson]

GOT TO HANG WITH RYAN GOSLING! (see video) The acoustic buildout is rocking right along with a few challenges conquered, and a pace that invites growth. My dad always said, “Failure should be celebrated, it is the best way to learn.” I love tackling tasks I’ve never done before. I also love tackling KELLY! My speakers are getting tired of waiting though. What challenges are you facing these days? How do you deal with failure? Somebody help me on this- In regards to the last post, IG has informed me that it was a “branded content” post. I didn’t receive any payment or free goods, and by IG’s own policy definition the post did not qualify as “branded content”. Tried to reach out directly to them, fun times. Why does a company based on the idea of sharing, connecting, and communicating not have an easy way to communicate?    A little help, please? Thanks. In other news, I had a great time on my hike yesterday. For fun, I nickname many things. Turns out, baby Canadian Geese are not called Goose Puppies. Who knew?! A whole pack of them were crossing the road headed towards the water with mom and dad covering the way. 5 mins later, a little one comes busting out of the tall grass. Probably overslept, or lost a bet. I named him Ryan. He found his way eventually. All the acoustic shells are up and the room is really starting to take shape. Albeit a strange angular concoction based on prime numbers and sweat. Fabric is in from Guilford of Maine (they have not paid me, but that would be nice). I went with two colors- Black (408), and Ultramarine (470). Now we wait for the insulation to arrive. While waiting, I will attempt to build a rear diffusor, and eventually, I will be victorious.  Hit me with any questions re acoustic layout or design choices. Would love to hear from you! Next up- Filling, wrapping, and building a rear diffusor.  #music #musicproducer #musicmixer #studiobuild #love #mentalhealth #mothernature #music #acoustics https://www.instagram.com/p/CdL4UK9uEBK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rogersmasson]

RED HOODED WOODPECKER CAME KNOCKING! The acoustic buildout is well underway. Wanted to take a sec and speak to the importance of mental health. Regardless of your job or station in life, it’s an important issue that warrants open dialog. It’s a small struggle for some, a monumental battle for others, and a killer for far too many. A simple step I take to move through the strife is to get outside in nature. This works wonders for me. What works for you? The build is rocking right along. All the cuts are complete, thanks in no small part to the @kregjig rip cut saw guide, and assembly is underway. Remember- measure twice, cut once. I’ve been asked to show some of the tools I like to use, I’m not sponsored by any of these companies, and have included pics for your viewing pleasure(?). Would like to know your thoughts on tools you swear by as well. I like the @dewalttough line of cordless drills and saws…everything really. For marking and writing on wood, I’m all about the @picamarker mechanical pencil. And for taking notes, in any weather, I absolutely love @riteintherain ! A fine piece of indispensable kit that has never failed me, ever. Although, I wish they would make their pencils smaller so it could be stowed in the rings of the notepad. My fix is to attach some 550 cord. For picking up wood, @landrover 1962 Series IIA 109 called Archie. He’s a solid chariot. Hit me with any questions re acoustic layout or design choices. Would love to hear from you! Next up- Filling, wrapping, and, hanging acoustic treatment. #music #musicproducer #musicmixer #studiobuild #love #mentalhealth #mothernature #music #acoustics https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc5xPd4OPMe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=