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 CambridgeEighteen Years of Half-ton StudiosWriting for Sound on SoundLearning Drums When School Friends Started a BandWhy So Many Engineers Are DrummersA Decade of Gigging Without a PayoffA Music Tech Degree at 26Discovering He Could WriteThe Group Email and the Unit Next to a BreweryStarting With £7,000 and FavorsThe Accidental Great-Sounding Drum RoomFirst Gear: a £700 Soundtracs DeskMySpace, Flyers, and Rehearsal IncomeRebuilding Bigger During COVIDWorking With an AcousticianHow the New Room Draws Bands From LondonPricing and the Independent Band RateHonest Advice for Young EngineersWorkshops and Taster SessionsWhy He Limits Mixing WorkRecording Bands Live on the Floor

Matt’s RANT!: CLUTTER!

Links and Show Notes:

Half-ton StudiosNeil Rogers at Sound on SoundHalf-ton recording & mixing workshops

Credits:

Guest: Neil RogersHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith