WCA #606 with Neil Rogers – Eighteen Years of Half-ton Studios, Bootstrapping in Cambridge, and Writing for Sound on Sound

For episode 606, Matt talks with Neil Rogers — recording engineer, owner of Half-ton Studios in Cambridge, and longtime reviewer for Sound on Sound. After a decade of gigging as a drummer with no payoff, Neil found a music tech degree at 26 that rebuilt his confidence, then answered a group email about a ramshackle unit next to a brewery and built a studio there on about £7,000 and favors. Eighteen years on, they talk about the accidental great-sounding drum room, rebuilding bigger during COVID, pricing, being honest with young people about studio careers, and the joy of recording bands live on the floor.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Meeting Matt Over a Pint in Cambridge
Eighteen Years of Half-ton Studios
Writing for Sound on Sound
Learning Drums When School Friends Started a Band
Why So Many Engineers Are Drummers
A Decade of Gigging Without a Payoff
A Music Tech Degree at 26
Discovering He Could Write
The Group Email and the Unit Next to a Brewery
Starting With £7,000 and Favors
The Accidental Great-Sounding Drum Room
First Gear: a £700 Soundtracs Desk
MySpace, Flyers, and Rehearsal Income
Rebuilding Bigger During COVID
Working With an Acoustician
How the New Room Draws Bands From London
Pricing and the Independent Band Rate
Honest Advice for Young Engineers
Workshops and Taster Sessions
Why He Limits Mixing Work
Recording Bands Live on the Floor

Matt’s RANT!: CLUTTER!

Links and Show Notes:

Credits:

Guest: Neil Rogers
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: Chuck Smith

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