24Aug

EarthQuaker Devices – The Depths: We Love Sonic Vibes 🌊

At Sound Pressure Studios, we are thrilled to have a collection of EarthQuaker Devices pedals at our fingertips. One of our favorites is The Depths, a pedal that has brought new dimensions to our soundscapes. With its unique take on the classic optical vibe circuit, it’s no wonder we’re more than happy to use this beautiful pedal in our creative process! 😄

A Modern Take on a Classic Vibe Circuit

The Depths is EarthQuaker Devices’ version of the optical vibe circuit, providing that iconic, three-dimensional swirling sound with a modern twist. Inspired by classic vibrato tones, this pedal captures what musicians love about optical vibe circuits, adding contemporary features that make it versatile for various music styles. When you plug into The Depths, you get a lush, pulsating wave that can completely transform your playing, whether strumming chords or solo lines. The carefully crafted waveforms make creating deep, immersive soundscapes easy, ideal for genres ranging from psychedelic rock to modern ambient music.

Optimized for Versatility and Creativity

One of the standout features of The Depths is its ability to pair seamlessly with almost any instrument and setup. Whether using guitars, basses, synths, or vocals, The Depths delivers a rich vibrato that can take your tone to new places. Thanks to its high compatibility with various pickups and ability to “play well with dirt,” it integrates perfectly into pedalboards filled with fuzzes, overdrives, and other modulation effects.

Whether your instrument has single-coil pickups, humbuckers, or active electronics, this pedal responds beautifully, offering a full range of motion and control over the vibrato effect. Its flexibility means you can plug in any instrument with a ¼” output and immediately get deep into its swirling, aquatic vibe. Plus, the onboard controls provide plenty of room for fine-tuning, letting you shape your sound to fit any mix or mood.

Intuitive Controls for Complete Sound Shaping

The Depths comes equipped with a range of intuitive controls that give you mastery over your tone. From the “Voice” knob, which adjusts the midrange focus, to the “Throb” control for tweaking the low-end response, each feature is designed to allow you to find that perfect vibe. The “Intensity” and “Rate” controls provide an impressive range of modulations, from subtle wave-like movements to more pronounced and complex textures. This level of control makes The Depths stand out as not just a pedal but an instrument in its own right.

Handcrafted Excellence – Built for Durability

Like all EarthQuaker Devices, The Depths is handcrafted in Akron, Ohio, ensuring high quality and durability. Each pedal undergoes a meticulous build process, offering reliability to withstand the rigors of studio sessions and live performances. EarthQuaker’s dedication to their craft means every pedal is unique, making them special additions to any musician’s gear arsenal.

Why We Love It at Sound Pressure Studios

At Sound Pressure Studios, we often say, “Every pedal is special,” with The Depths, that statement couldn’t be more actual. This pedal has become a staple in our studio, finding its way onto tracks with guitars, bass, synths, and vocal processing. We’re constantly exploring new sounds with The Depths, allowing us to create rich, deep textures that elevate our productions. In fact, we love it so much that we can’t help but say, “You suck if you don’t have one – ’cause we have a lot! 🐙”

If you want to add a new dimension to your sound, The Depths is a versatile tool that won’t disappoint. For more details about this incredible pedal, visit the official EarthQuaker Devices page.

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26Jul

EarthQuaker Devices – Dispatch Master: Our New Favorite Pedal

We’ve been exploring the EarthQuaker Devices Dispatch Master, and we have to say — we absolutely love it! This hi-fi digital delay and reverb device delivers an incredible range of sounds that every musician can appreciate. It perfectly combines independent delay and reverb effects in a compact, space-saving enclosure, making it a must-have for any pedalboard setup.

Versatility in a Compact Enclosure

The Dispatch Master is perfect for those seeking a variety of ambient echoes, whether deep and spacious or a quick, tight slapback. Its seamless blend of delay and reverb offers a unique soundscape, allowing musicians to experiment without needing multiple pedals.

A standout feature is the Flexi-Switch® Technology, which allows users to access two different modes of operation. You can momentarily dip into ambient delay and reverb for a single note by pressing and holding the footswitch, which activates the effect only while the switch is engaged. This mode is perfect for adding a dramatic splash of delay to accentuate a musical phrase. If you want to use it as a regular effects pedal, press the switch once to activate the effect and press again to bypass it. It’s simple and intuitive and gives you the control to shape your sound precisely.

Improved Features for Creative Expression

The latest version of the Dispatch Master comes with upgraded capabilities that put it in a class of its own. The Flexi-Switch® Technology is a game-changer for live performances and studio sessions. Being able to toggle between momentary and latching effects means musicians can instantly adapt their sound to fit different musical contexts.

One of the pedal’s highlights is its high-fidelity digital design. The Dispatch Master produces pristine delay repeats and lush reverb tails that can transform your soundscape, ranging from subtle ambiance to all-out sonic immersion. You can explore intricate delays and soaring reverb washes or even combine the two to create a unique atmospheric texture that’s uniquely yours.

Handcrafted Excellence

EarthQuaker Devices, known for their handmade, quality pedals, outdid themselves with this one. Each pedal is built by hand in Akron, Ohio, ensuring the highest quality and attention to detail. This dedication to craftsmanship results in a reliable, professional-grade product that delivers exceptional sound performance every time. We love that each pedal has its own character and a unique touch that reflects the craftsmanship and passion of the creators.

A Must-Have Pedal for Every Musician

At Sound Pressure Studios, we have a lot of pedals, but the Dispatch Master has become one of our favorites. It’s a versatile and powerful tool every musician should consider adding to their setup. Whether you’re a guitarist looking to create lush soundscapes or a producer seeking ambient textures, this pedal covers you. We joke around saying, “You suck if you don’t have one – ’cause we have a lot! 😆”

Its ability to blend delay and reverb effortlessly makes it suitable for various music genres, from rock to ambient, electronic, and everything in between. The intuitive controls allow you to quickly dial in the perfect amount of effect, letting you focus on your creativity rather than tweaking knobs endlessly.

In summary, the Dispatch Master is a pedal that enhances musical expression. EarthQuaker Devices continue to impress us with their innovative designs and high-quality products, and this one is no exception. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out on a game-changing gear. For more details and specifications, you can check out the official EarthQuaker Devices Dispatch Master page.

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15Jul

Leopoldo Lopes Joins the 2024 Recording Academy Class

We’re super excited to share that Leopoldo Lopes, our CEO, Senior Producer, and Engineer at Sound Pressure Studios, has been invited to join this year’s Recording Academy New Member Class of 2024!

It’s a big deal, and it shows how dedicated he is to the music industry and always striving for musical excellence.

The Recording Academy is well-known for celebrating and supporting the global music community. Inviting various professionals to join ensures that different perspectives shape the future of music. Being part of this influential community acknowledges Leopoldo’s contributions. It gives him a platform to push for positive changes in the industry.

The Recording Academy is more than just the GRAMMY Awards; it works year-round to support the music community, advocating for progress in music rights, industry standards, and the representation of diverse voices. With Leopoldo now part of the Academy, Sound Pressure Studios is well-positioned to impact the changing music production landscape positively.

Leopoldo Lopes was really excited about joining the Recording Academy. He said,

“It’s a big deal for me and Sound Pressure Studios. We’re looking forward to being part of a community celebrating music’s power and potential all year round. Together, we can make a real difference, support our fellow musicians, and bring a fresh perspective to the Academy.”

As members, Leopoldo and Sound Pressure Studios will get involved in advocacy initiatives, music education efforts, and the decisions that affect the music industry. This opportunity allows us to work with other music professionals worldwide, sharing our unique sound, experience, and viewpoint with this lively and diverse community.

Gratitude and Next Steps

We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of everyone who has been with us on this journey. The trust, faith, and encouragement from our clients, collaborators, and music lovers have been absolutely crucial. We look forward to the future and can’t wait for new beginnings, stronger partnerships, and a year filled with fantastic music-making.

The 2024 New Member Class:

The 2024 New Member Class is made up of all kinds of music pros – artists, producers, engineers, songwriters, and more – all working together to shape the future of the music industry. The Academy’s focus on diversity means that members from different genres, backgrounds, and roles can all make fundamental changes in the industry.

Leopoldo joining this new class shows Sound Pressure Studios‘ commitment to making top-notch music and standing up for musicians’ rights and creative freedom. This is a big opportunity for us to get more involved in the music community and help set the standards, practices, and support systems for all artists.

Here’s to a future full of new beginnings, strong partnerships, and groundbreaking music!

We’d love for you to join us on this exciting journey as we enter a new phase of speaking up, working together, and getting creative.

Learn more about the Recording Academy’s 2024 New Member Class and what this means for the future of music here.

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10Jul

Coldplay’s “Parachutes” – Celebrating 24 Years

Coldplay’s groundbreaking debut album, “Parachutes,” marked a significant milestone in the band’s career when it was released twenty-four years ago on July 10, 2000, by Parlophone in the UK.

Album Overview

The album’s title, “Parachutes,” was chosen carefully. It symbolizes the band’s aspiration to provide a comforting and uplifting experience for their listeners, akin to the safety and security offered by a parachute. The band wanted their music to be a ‘parachute’ for their listeners, providing them with a sense of safety and comfort in the turbulent world of emotions and experiences.

“Parachutes” featured significant singles such as “Shiver,” “Yellow,” “Trouble,” and “Don’t Panic,” propelling Coldplay to early stardom. The band supported the album with the Parachutes Tour, which spanned 131 dates on their inaugural world tour. This extensive tour showcased their musical prowess and solidified their influence in the global music scene.

Production Details

Working closely with esteemed British record producer Ken Nelson, Coldplay meticulously crafted the album, except for “High Speed,” which was produced by Chris Allison. Assistant producer and recording engineer Leopoldo Lopes made substantial contributions to the album’s production, which was recorded between September 1999 and May 2000.

Chart Success

The album achieved significant commercial success, resonating with fans worldwide and selling approximately 2.7 million records in the United Kingdom alone. It is the 22nd best-selling album of the twenty-first century and the 45th best-selling album of all time in the United Kingdom. The enormous success of “Parachutes” represented a watershed moment in Coldplay’s career.

Critically acclaimed, “Parachutes” was nominated for the 2000 Mercury Music Prize and garnered multiple awards, including British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards, Best Album at the Q Awards, and Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammys.

The album’s resounding success laid the foundation for Coldplay’s ongoing prominence in the music business, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.

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28Jun

Out Now “Is It Indie Already?” by Safari Zone

If you’re an indie rock and pop fan, this one’s for you!
Safari Zone’s latest single is here to ignite your imagination and get you moving.
With catchy rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics, ‘Is It Indie Already?’ is perfect for dancing and reflective listening.

This track showcases Safari Zone’s unique ability to innovate while preserving the essence of indie music.

Show some love and give this beautiful song by this talented Portuguese band a listen.
Shout out to the amazing musicians Lua, Panda, Vasco, Pedro, and Zé —they are also such wonderful people!

Produced by Safari Zone, Leopoldo Lopes
Recorded by Leopoldo Lopes, Patrícia Rosa
Mixed by Patrícia Rosa
Mastered by Leopoldo Lopes

Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Sound Pressure Studios, Lisbon

🌍 Safari Zone Website
🌍 Instagram
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🌍 Facebook
🌍 Youtube

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Mastering Your Own Songs - Header
30Oct

Mastering Your Own Songs: Key Processes and Considerations

On the first post, “Mastering Your Own Songs – Yes You Can Do It, But…” I talk about the general considerations of the mastering process, different mastering approaches you should have in mind while mixing and mastering, and a 20-year mastering engineer’s true and honest opinion about why you shouldn’t master your own songs.
In this post, I will address the same subject but discuss the mastering process you should apply to your own mastering at home in a more detailed way.

Read More “Mastering Your Own Songs: Key Processes and Considerations”