Maine Recording Studios

Crème de la crème of Maine Recording Studios

Whether in Downtown Portland or deep in the Maine woods, recording studios in the Northeast have always been distinctive for their balance of professional equipment and relaxed attitude. Here are some of the very best the state has to offer.

Jason Hearst working the Neve console at Hearstudios

The newest studio in Maine is also one of the most stunning. Officially opening this March after producing several dozen projects, Camden’s Hearstudios has already garnered a lot of attention (including the cover of Mix Magazine’s June 2013 issue) for its amazing live room, unparalleled Neve 5088 console, and inviting atmosphere.

The brainchild of Owner/Engineer Jason Hearst and renowned studio designer Lou Clark, Hearstudios also features three isolation rooms, two amp isolation chambers in the basement, and a loft/lounge for relaxing after a long day of recording.

“The unique room design and depth of gear array brings a world-class sound to the Maine recording scene,” says Bob Thompson, a well-known musician and industry professional who was brought on as Business Manager/Creative Director after construction was completed.

The Control Room at Hearstudios in Camden

Built inside a rehabbed 19^th century barn, the facility looks as amazing as it sounds. Having removed most of the second floor to create a huge live room (one of the largest in New England at 22,000 cubic feet), Hearst also took incredible pains to ensure that the space is adaptable. Multiple “gobos” (mobile sound baffles) can be configured to liven or deaden the rooms and can even lock into the walls to create new spaces.

Conceived of and built while he was still a student in Berklee’s competitive MP&E program, Hearst was able to use his professors (some of the best in the industry) to assist with the studio’s design. “He started educating himself, and meanwhile he’s got Dave Moulton, Burt Price… he’s got all these people who are advising him at the top level,” Thompson said of Jason’s building plans. Thompson specifically helped Hearst to assemble a vast array of instruments for the studio, including a Yamaha C7 concert grand piano, 1957 Hammond B-3, Rhodes 88, Wurlitzer 200A, and what Jason calls, “the Guitarsenal” a special treat for visiting guitarists.

Speaking of visitors, Hearst recently purchased a classic 19^th century home next door to the studio “for artists to stay in if they come from away.” Sleeping up to twelve people, the house features everything a band would want including a big media room, foosball table, and they’re even working on installing a second control room there for mixing! “Jason wanted to ensure that clients would be comfortable and actually have it feel like a real home, not like an after-thought band house,” says Thompson of the house.

Though a “destination” studio in Maine was not always the plan, Hearst is happy it turned out that way. After all, one of the draws of a Maine recording studio on the coast in Camden is the inspiration the landscape brings. Said Hearst, “My last conversation with my mother before she passed away was ‘Do I want to move to New York, LA, or Nashville?’ And then she passed away, and I felt, “I actually have family and friends in New England. So it was chase a Grammy or live a more balanced life in a place I love. Now maybe I can have both.”

hearstudios.com

Halo – Windham, ME

One of the most popular studios in southern Maine, Halo sits just a few miles outside of Portland in a two-story, converted post and beam barn. A go-to for national artists and a favorite of local musicians, the 3,000 square foot studio is known for its “vibey” live room and relaxed recording environment.

Owned and managed by Darren Elder (songwriter/drummer for The Wrecking), Halo is also the home studio for engineer/producer Jonathan Wyman, who Bob Ludwig (Gateway Mastering) has called “the biggest undiscovered star of the Portland music scene.” Wyman has produced albums for Rustic Overtones, Spose, Phantom Buffalo, Gypsy Tailwind, Sparks the Rescue, and hundreds of other local artists.

haloproductions.com

The Other Bones at The Studio in Portland

The Studio – Portland, ME

First opened as “Studio 3” in 1981, The Studio has been at the core of the Maine music and audio recording scene for nearly 30 years. Located in downtown Portland in an old brick school building, the facility’s three studio spaces all feature state-of-the-art recording and editing tools, with owner Tim Tierney making regular equipment upgrades a top priority.

Boasting a stable of top-notch engineers and great collection of vintage and modern gear, The Studio is well liked and well utilized by Maine musicians. Their recent client list includes projects for Spencer Albee, ShaShaSha, Zach Jones, Anna Lombard, Jonathan Edwards, and The Fogcutters.

thestudioportland.com

Engineer/Producer Andrew Clifford at Main Street Music Studios in Bangor

Main Street Music Studios – Bangor, ME

Engineer and studio Founder Andrew Clifford (aka Green Tank Productions) is a talented session drummer who specializes in producing genres from jazz to hip-hop. Besides the recording/creative services offered at it’s relaxed downtown Bangor recording studio, MSM also provides quality music instruction with classes ranging from piano and guitar to producing, engineering, and DJing.

mainstreetmusicstudios.com

Acadia Recoding specializes in vintage recording equipment, including a recently acquired vinyl press

Acadia Recording Company – Portland, ME

Aside from Acadia Recording’s already solid collection of analog gear, Engineer and Owner Todd Hutchisen recently obtained an entire studio worth of vintage 1950’s equipment from famed country producer Al Hawkes’ old place in Westbrook.

Including two Ampex 350 mono tape machines and a working record lathe for cutting vinyl, the acquisition positions Acadia to become an international location for musicians craving that classic sound.

acadiarecordingcompany.com

The facilities at NESCom include 10 control rooms and a large live recording space

NESCom – Bangor, ME

Want to be an audio engineer?

The New England School of Communication (NESCom) at Husson University has a stellar program in Audio Engineering, with concentrations in both studio and live sound.

Accomplished Engineer and Department Head Eric Ferguson called the audio degree at NESCom “the most legit program in Maine, competitive with Berklee and Full Sail, but a lot more affordable.”

Contact NESCom at info@nescom.edu or 207-941-7176 to tour their super pro facility, which includes 10 control rooms, a large live recording space, specialized isolation booths, and more.