The Studio: Space, Sound and Equipement
After the label was founded and the first recordings with mobile equipment had been made – mostly in churches – it became necessary to have a separate studio with good sound for chamber music and solo music recordings. The project of our own studio construction could be realised in 1996 after the relevant preparatory works had been completed. As early as autumn of the same year, we moved into the studio in Bamberg. The design of the recording room makes no compromises when it comes to excellent and natural sound for acoustical instruments in the field of Old Music, classical music and New Music as well as for vocal parts of all registers.

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The planning phase led to an asymmetrical five-cornered room of about 58m2 with a peak height of more than six metres. In addition, there is a (muted) hollow space of 0.90m in height below the vibrating softwood floor that stretches along the entire floor space. This concept has proved its excellent sound qualities in numerous recording sessions: string instruments as well as historical instruments respond immediately, the sound develops in such a way that musicians may react to the naturally occurring stereophonic sound, singers are able to sing with less strain than in a overly muted studio room. As the floor plays an active role for the sound, microphones are suspended from a flexible device and therefore do not come into contact with the floor. Because of this, there is no room lost for the setting up of tripods or cables either. In addition to this, there is daylight exposure in the studio with a view of plants and flowers outside that has turned out to be very agreeable for the musicians. Grand pianos of any size also develop a wonderful sound for recording in this room. The room can even accommodate extensive percussion sets without being overplayed. Since the studio is located in a quiet residential area (cul-de-sac), and the windows have the highest classification of sound-proof glass anyway, outside noise is mostly eliminated.

The following instruments are always available in the studio:
  • grand French harpsichord with two manuals, according to Taskin/Blanchet, pitch a’=443 Hz. or 415 Hz, temperature as requested
  • Viennese grand piano according to Könnicke, Vienna, about 1790, by J.C. Neupert, Bamberg, pitch a’=443 Hz, on request tuned to 430 Hz or lower
  • Small concert grand piano (2.25m) by Grotrian Steinweg, 1924, pitch a’=443 Hz
  • American organ, made in 1921, pitch a’=442 Hz

On request, we are able to place grand pianos of any well-known make into the studio on a lease, as well as other Viennese style pianos or harpsichords, we also provide service.
Our equipment in the digital classic sound studio:
  • microphones by Neumann (U 47 fet, KM 184), AKG (C 414 B-TL II, The Tube, C 451 ULS with CK1/CK 22), Sennheiser (MKH 406, MKH 20, MKH 30, MKH 40), Microtech Gefell (UM 71), Beyer (M 160 band)
  • Music stand: Yamaha O2R, Studer MR 8
  • Master recorder: Tascam DV.RA1000, Tascam DA 45 HR, DA 30, Sony, DT 500
  • Multi track: Tascam DA 88 sync
  • Cutting desk: AKAI DD 1000 with Editor DL 1500 and additional MO drive by SONY, MacBook Pro with logic 7 pro
  • Mastering: MacBook Pro with logic 7 pro
  • Effects: Quantec Stereophonic Sound
  • Sound Check: Manger

On request, fully analogous recordings or tape rerecords can be made:

  • Studer MR8
  • AEG M21 with Telcom c4

Recordings out of studio are possible on request, everything is mobile.