Welcome To Last Eight!

As a singer and instrumentalist it has always been my dream to create a friendly and intimate, yet professional space, in which to make small piano-oriented recordings. Today, however, with videos as much a vital part of the artist’s promotional package as their recordings, I felt that it was important to create an adaptable space that is as appealing visually as it is acoustically in order to accommodate filming as well.

Since my very first recording session, I’ve always made sure that I knew exactly what was going on in the control room as well as the vocal booth or live room. This acquired technical knowledge combined with a distinct musical sensibility has served me very well in my own sessions and continues to do so here at Last Eight. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than helping an artist bring their recording to life through sharing my own experiences and knowledge.

Despite how it may look or sound, there’s no getting around the fact that recording in a studio isn’t always an easy experience. To counter this, I have created a ‘home from home’ environment in order to help artists feel as relaxed as possible. In addition, as a trained music therapist, I have a unique insight into some psychological aspects of the creative process which enables me to help artists of all levels navigate the sometimes stressful moments that can occur in the studio.

Please take a moment to look around the site, listen to a sample of some of the music that has been recorded here recently and take a look at the videos. On the contact page, you’ll find details of how to get in touch. I would love to hear from you!

 

The Piano

Steinway & Sons describes the Model B as “… a piano designed for spacious homes, smaller recital halls, auditoriums, broadcasting, recording or professional studios.” As such, it was the perfect choice of piano for Last Eight. This particular one, built in 1990, has already been used on many recordings – it was on loan for eight years to the prestigious Markangelo Recording Studio where it was played by Julian Joseph, Jamie Cullum, Yusuf Islam, Nikki Iles, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, James Hallawell, Rob Taggart and Gary Brooker to name a few.  Now, in its new home at Last Eight, the piano continues to delight, offering recording artists across all genres the opportunity to enjoy its rich and varied tones.

Location, location, location!

Last Eight is located on the first floor of 90 Main Yard in Hackney Wick, home of the popular No. 90 Bar & Kitchen with its lovely canal-side terrace, perfect for a delicious snack between takes and somewhere to relax with a refreshing cocktail after a long day’s recording! Minutes from Hackney Wick Overground Station and just across the canal from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 90 Main Yard is a hive of creativity, housing several music studios, producers, photographers, stylists, fashion designers and film makers.

Equipment List

Instruments
Steinway Model B Concert Grand 1990
Selection of Latin and African Percussion
Steel String Acoustic Guitar

Microphones
Neumann U87 AI x 2 (stereo matched pair)
Neumann U87 AI x 2
Brauner Phantom Classic x 1
Shure SM7B x 1

Recording
RME Fireface 800
SPL 2800 Frontliner Vocal Pre-Amp
Audient ASP800 8 Channel Mic Pre

Monitoring
Acoustic Energy AE22

Sequencers/DAWs
Logic Pro X/9

Plugins
Waves Gold Bundle
Native Instruments
Celemony Melodyne

Sound Libraries
Native Instruments Komplete