Recording Studio Sweet Spot: Sweatshop Studios – Katonah, NY

Next time you get a chance, go on a day trip a little north of the city to Westchester County. When you arrive at the beautiful hamlet of Katonah, NY you’ll see artistic sensibilities in abundance – from the Katonah Museum of Art to the annual Caramoor International Music Festival.

5.1 monitoring and much more in the Sweatshop Studios control room.

If the next inclination is to get creative yourself, keep going until you find Sweatshop Studios. That’s where founder Shaul Dover has set up a recording and mixing paradise, with a Euphonix System 5 console, 5.1 Surround capabilities, a high-ceilinged live room, and the imprint of master studio designer John Storyk in every corner.

Just keep reading to find your next musical getaway.

Facility Name: Sweatshop Studios

Website: http://www.sweatshopstudios.com

Location: Westchester, NY

Neighborhood Advantages: A creative, quiet, country setting, just a short distance from NYC.

Date of Birth: October, 2008

Facility Focus: We do it all, concentrating in tracking, mixing, and artist development.

Mission Statement: Sweatshop Studios, located in Katonah, NY, Westchester County, is about one hour north of New York City. Our countryside setting and proximity to NYC provides the perfect location for creativity. Our motto “Analog meets Digital and lovin’ it” is a summary of our philosophy for audio recording and engineering: Using the latest technology we merge the expressive, warm qualities of analog with the flexibility and ease-of-use of digital.

Our projects range from music recording to sound for picture, and from transfers to voiceover, all the while keeping the budget to a minimum.

Acoustics by John Storyk in the expansive live room.

Clients/Credits: Velous, Black Taxi, Parthenon, Joe Knot, Frank Schiner, Ed Cusati, Blues Buddha, FilterFreakz, Alan Epstien, DogInDanger.com, Alex Palantoni, Avalon, Zach Trandum, Angelo Natalie, Austin Jahner, Bob Christianson, Cory Porter, Beez Kneez, Eddie Anthony, Erik Campo, Ernest Billups, Gary Portnoy, Gregg Sulzer, Howard Citron, If we were sharks, Isaac Jaffe, Humble Kings, Kathy Scaturro, Rachel Rodgers, Lisa Lipkin, Mike Petrescu, Random House, RCA/Jive Label Group (Rob Thomas for Santana), Swanky Music Group, Chuck Leavell, IDF band, The Peak 107.1

Key Personnel: Shaul Dover (Engineer), Edan Dover (Producer).

System Highlights: Our console is the Euphonix System 5 MC. Via the patch bay is a Studer A8000 24 track 2″ tape machine connected to two parallel systems: Nuendo 5.5 and Pro Tools HD 9. These systems are connected through 3 Lynx AES16 cards and two Lynx Aurora16 converters for a total of 32 AD/DA transparent “pure” channels.

Our monitoring system is surround 5.1, made up of 5 Dynaudio BM15As and a Rythmik Audio F15 Sub (Direct Servo Technology). Additional monitoring is provided by a pair of Yamaha SM10s. Our monitors are controlled by the Dangerous Music Monitor Control ST and SR Expander.

Mics: TELEFUNKEN U-47, BLUE modified, AKG C12 THE TUBE, RCA 77DX, HCL , FOUST, Royer R-121, Neumann U87ai, AKG C 414 B-XLIIs (stereo pair), Electrovoice RE-20, Shure SM7B, Shure 55, Oktava MK219A, Modified by Jolly, AKG D12, Sennheiser MD 441N, Sennheiser MD 421N (x3), T-Bone RB500, Modified by Jolly (x2), Shure SM57 (x6), Shure SM58 (x3), AudioTechnica ATM 25 (x2), Sennheiser e604 (x3), Rode NTK, Audio Technica 4021 (x2)

Mic Pres and outboard gear by: API, Buzz Audio, A Design, Univeral Audio, TC Electronics, Emperical Labs, DBX, Little Lab, and more.

Instruments: Boston (designed by Steinway) Grand Piano, Yamaha Stage Custom Drumset, Hammond B-3 Organ with Leslie 122, Yamaha Motif 8 Workstation, Nord Electro 2 61-key,  Fender reverb Quad (mod) Guitar Amp, Hartke System 5000 Bass Amp

Distinguishing Characteristics: Perfectly acoustic tuned rooms designed by John Storyk. Four acres of quiet and creative atmosphere.

Shaul Dover (center) flies the System 5.

The building is on fire, you only have time to grab ONE thing to save, what is it? “It’s all about the room, baby,” so I would take my backup files and rebuild from the ashes.

Rave Reviews: The room sounds great and the vibe is inviting and comfortable.

Most Memorable Session Ever: Having Rob Thomas for the Santana record.

Session You’d Like to Forget: The one I’m not getting paid for?

Dream Session: Quincy Jones with Amy Winehouse!

— Shaul Dover, Sweatshop Studios

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