New Room: Firefly Sound Studio — Hill Country, Texas
There’s a certain elegance to dedicated work space. An area designed with purpose and intent. Free from distractions of everyday life. Spaces like these can help artists achieve a level of focus that is otherwise difficult to come by. Recently such a place opened in the heart of Texas and I was lucky enough to spend a week there for the grand opening.
Head room abounds in the newly launched Firefly Sound Studio — deep in the heart of Texas’ Hill Country. (Photo credit: Lori McNamara)
Firefly Studios (part of the larger entity, Studios at Fischer) is a new audio and video production facility in Canyon Lake, TX. Expertly constructed with a nod towards the legendary sounds of the past, and an eye on the cutting-edge technology of the future, Firefly is an oasis deep in Hill Country.
The studio itself is designed for fast and flexible results. Whether tracking on the vintage Neve to 2” 24-track tape, or mixing on the SSL via Pro Tools HD, Burl Motherships and Soffit-mounted ATC 300s, engineers and musicians alike will appreciate the thought and detail that went into the studio’s design.
A huge and beautiful live room with high ceilings, and multiple surfaces, as well as a drum booth and a vocal iso booth allow one to create any amount of space or intimacy as needed. Additionally, tie lines exist to the common areas as well as the vibrant and spacious client apartment (even to the bathroom!)
Filled with industry standard gear, Firefly studio will help you get the sound you dream of. Pick from the world-class mic closet for just the right tone. Patch in an assortment of vintage and new outboard gear. Whether the guitar needs an LA-2A, the drums a Neve 33609, or the vocal a vintage EMT Plate, Firefly has you covered.
But like any destination studio, the rooms and the gear are only part of the equation. The apartment is luxurious with an open floor plan and built-in gourmet kitchen facilities. After a long day in the studio, step outside and enjoy the firepit and star-lit sky. Or sit on the veranda overlooking the landscape and find inspiration for the day. Just don’t be surprised if you never want to leave.
A landmark Neve A-1033 that recorded Elvis Presley helms Firefly’s Studio A. (Photo Credit: Lori McNamara)
Facility Name: FIREFLY SOUND STUDIO at STUDIOS AT FISCHER
Website: sffirefly.com
Location: Fischer, Texas (between Austin and San Antonio, heart of the Hill Country).
Date of Birth: June 2015
Aural Austin: Being the live music capitol city of the world with an expanding pool of well-accomplished producers, engineers and production companies (supporting both the music and film industry), Austin is now referred to as the “Third Coast”.
Additionally, the surrounding Hill Country area offers solitude and a relaxing environment, one of the reasons chosen for our creative destination.
A built-from-the-ground-up soundstage is part of Firefly’s original recipe. (Photo credit: Lori McNamara)
Collective Wisdom: This facility is the ONLY one in the area built from the ground up as a recording and soundstage studio, not a renovated warehouse or home.
With Steven Durr Designs handling the acoustical details, Steve Hennig’s acquisitions of classic vintage and state-of-the art equipment, and our secluded location, we are able to offer a “one stop shop” or “turn key” location to create, capture and broadcast from.
Firefly Mission Statement: The Firefly team mission is to provide clients with an experience of a lifetime so they can produce and depart with an excellent product, ensuring ultimate success for their music and video.
Key Personnel: Some of the Firefly professionals have been in the studio industry, successfully, for over 40 years. Along with a seasoned client services/concierge team and unique facility amenities, we are able to deliver a great client experience via staffers including Steve Hennig (Client Development) & Kelleigh Drennon (Studio Manager & Engineer).
Neve analog and digital meet in Studio A. (Photo credit: Lori McNamara)
Clients/Credits: The doors have just opened!
Facility Flow and System Highlights: Studio A & B were designed by acoustician Steven Durr from Nashville, who has over 40 years in studio design.
He created Studio A for the client who wants the original feel and sound of analog, but with modern recording media to print to (Pro Tools). The room includes a Studer A827 24 track tape machine, if requested, and a one of a kind Discrete Neve A-1033 that was built for RCA-LA as a mobile desk. The Neve has a major list of #1 records/artists who recorded with it over the years (Elvis, Dixie Chicks, Pat Green). Specifically, the Dixie Chicks “Wide Open Spaces” was tracked AND mixed on it.
Studio B boasts all the latest digital tools with vintage outboard processors incorporated with the mix. An SSL Duality 48 is the lasted from Solid Stage Logic. The room has many plugin options and features a 5.1 surround theater mixing with ATC 5.1 monitoring.
We have given the industry what they have been requesting by combining vintage with the newest technology — old with the new!
Studio B brings out another side via an SSL Duality. (Photo credit: Lori McNamara)
Live, Baby: This 800 square foot acoustically designed space has a unique isolation booth, 24 foot ceilings, and spiral staircase ascending a client loft (which can be used as another recording space).
The benefit to engineers and producers is that the room offers several location options for instrument placement, allowing for different textures and very unique sounds. Another highlight is the combination of decorative and natural lighting.
Lastly, another famous vintage piece of equipment, the Yamaha C-7 concert piano used by and to accompany artists including Carol King, George Jones and Dolly Parton, corners the space.
And Now the SoundStage: An 8,000 square foot facility designed for both still and motion capture production. We’ve equipped it with a Bose line array sound system, Clair Bros. floor monitors and shine in-ear monitor system. Along with a custom designed intelligent lighting system with a Road Hog 4 controller and full production control room/editing suite, all levels of music video and syndicated television are possible.
The building is on fire, you only have time to grab ONE thing to save, what is it? Our U47 Tube microphone, used by James Brown to record “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag”.
Stay awhile — at the onsite artist apartment. (Photo credit: Lori McNamara)
Rave Reviews: People love the level of technology and architecture in a totally secluded, serene setting. They often comment on the great “feel” and “vibe” they experience and ask, “When can we move in?”
Most Memorable Session Ever: TBD
Session You’d Like to Forget: Hopefully we won’t have any of those!
Blatant Shout Out: Norah Jones– Discovered/signed at SXSW, she’s a reflection of this area’s industry influence.
Dave Grohl/Foo Fighters– He would appreciate all of our vintage equipment, especially our Discrete Neve!
George Strait– We’re in his backyard!
- Steve Hennig and Kelleigh Drennon
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