Not everyone can afford backing bands and musicians and all that involves. Which is another reason they come to us. We're multi-instrumentalists and can offer our clients a whole wall of sound that will make it far easier for them to achieve what they want without all the extra hassle.
We use an array of soft synths to programme parts for tracks. The built in Logic synths provide a decent range of basic sounds but of course everyone who has Logic has the same synths so a larger palette to make your tracks stand out is desirable.
Kontakt
We use Native Instruments Complete programme Kontakt which opens up many more possibilities. These include Vintage Electric Pianos and Organs, atmospheric Synth Pads and Triggered Synths as well as a great range of Grand and Upright Pianos.
Spitfire
We use Spitfire Albion Orchestral sounds which create convincing Strings, Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion sounds.
Korg
We also use the Classic Korg Legacy Collection which include the M1, Mono/Poly and the Wave synth sets as well as the impressive M20 monophonic synth.
Arturia
The Arturia Minimoog emulates the original fat Moog sounds which have been used on classic dance tracks since the 70’s.
Drum Programming
Logic Pro X comes with some great Drum Programming tools and sounds.
Logic
As well as using the tried and trusted Roland 808 and 909 drum samples, we use Logic to build our own custom sets for tracks based on the built in plugins that come with the programme.
Native Instruments
On top of that we also utilise Native Instruments Battery set of Samples which cover most production needs.
Propellerhead's Reason
Drum loops and a further huge array of drum samples are provided in Propellerhead's Reason programme which we have synced to Logic using rewire when required.
Offbeat Loops
We also have built up many of our own drum samples and loops over the years and importantly, we can provide Drums using our own kit which is a hybrid of real and sampled sounds that can be played ‘live’ when required.
Studio Instruments
Clients also have access to our studio instruments for their sessions.
Acoustic Guitars
Taylor Mini Acoustic Yamaha Acoustic Takamine Acoustic Tanglewood Acoustic Bass
Electric Guitars
Fender Stratocaster Fender Telecaster Fender Jazz Bass Pod Guitar - Range of Fender, Gibson & Rickenbacker Simulations
Synths And Keyboards
Roland RS9 Mother keyboard Native Instruments Synths and Classic Keyboards Arturia Mini Moog Korg Classic Set Logic Synth & keyboard Sets
If you have written a song and need musicians to create and play parts for the song this can be very time consuming and expensive , even if you have your own band.
Save Money
We can work with a basic demo of your idea and develop it along the lines of your own preferences, influences and references to music you like which you think might fit with your song.
Save Worry
We create custom backing tracks from a wide pallet of live and sampled instruments, sound designed to suit a range of styles. If the budget allows we can also employ our roster of top class session musicians to add to your tracks.
You can take our recording as separate stems into the studio where you live and add your own parts there and mix to your own taste too if you want. Or if you live locally to our studio you could book into Offbeat to add your parts.
Musical Arrangements
Part of the production process is deciding on the best musical arrangements for a particular song. This all depends on the style of music but we will always advise on the best way to arrange the components of a track if necessary.
Sometimes the full arrangement of a tracks length can be improved greatly by editing after the full version of a composition is recorded. This way the customer can have the full unedited version as well as a radio version.
In some cases it makes sense to cut an arrangement before recording so that no extra time is wasted recording parts that are not going to appear on the final version. Again, it all depends on the style of music.
A Classical or Experimental track can be as long as you like but if a commercial track for radio is being produced, being too long can spoil the listening experience and not encourage the listener to hear the song again.
And of course there are restrictions on track lengths for commercial radio too.
Studio Engineering
Making sure the recording of musical parts are as good as they can be, it’s important that things are recorded correctly.
Studio engineering skills are crucial in blending sounds that need to work together on the same track.
We have an array of top quality microphones including condensers, valve and tube and ribbon mics, each of which have to be chosen to match the characteristics of particular instruments.
Signal processing is employed at the recording stage too, so that the fundamental sounds that exist in the track are properly optimised.
Noise Gates, Compression, Expansion, EQ and of course recording at the correct levels are all instrumental.
Music Production
Having someone objectively working with you on your track can save a lot of time and money in the studio. There are so many ways to waste a recording budget and still not guarantee a successful result.
A good producer will work on a recording schedule with you, according to your budget, so that the sessions are conducted in a rational and logical way.
The project needs to be steered towards a final result which doesn’t waste time backtracking or doing the many recording tasks involved in the wrong order.
An experienced producer knows these pitfalls and can actually save you money by reducing studio time and organising musicians properly.
“Very enjoyable session at Offbeat – Iain got a great acoustic Dobro sound straight away with minimum fuss. The technology’s all there but equally important is the friendly vibe and comfortable atmosphere.”
LESLEY YOUNG
Canadian Singer/Songwriter
“This was the best recording experience we’ve had together to date! Always enthusiastic, Iain is a talented multi-instrumentalist”.
ALLIE FOX
Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter
“Iain has a genuine enthusiasm for his clients and patience by the bucket-load, and being an accomplished musician himself he adds enormously to the arrangements, both in terms of ideas & playing the instruments. The best pair of ears in the business!”
