ONE KEYBOARD FOR TYPING, ONE KEYBOARD FOR MUSICING. The band Dames (Dan Boetcher, James Ignacio, and Sophie Ignacio) listen to their material recorded by Evan Middlesworth (lounging desk-side).

“One of the great things about music and audio is that it always evolves, which means new artists are testing the limits and coming up with new ideas all the time,” said Evan Middlesworth, owner of Pine Hollow Audio Production and Composition. “It’s a thrill for me to be asked to do something new and challenging by an artist and see it all come to life.” 

Middlesworth, a resident of Eau Claire, recently put his knowledge and experience towards a laid-back multi purpose recording studio aimed at helping artists accomplish their goals by focusing on creativity, community, and artistic potential. 

The steps to recording an album or single are simple if followed properly and reflect organization and thought from Middlesworth. As an artist you must first consider what type of recording you would prefer – simple stereo mic with the quickest turnaround or multi-track live recording, which is an excellent way to capture live sound. Next comes the actual recording process broken down into six smaller steps. 

Step one requires songwriters to meet up and discuss the details of your project. Step two is to arrange a time to get together for a pre-production jam. Pre-production jam you might wonder? This is simply a time to stop by the studio and play though your tunes so Middleswoth can get a proper feel for your musical flavor. Step three incorporates recording the tracks for your project. Step four encompasses mixing the tunes to bring out the best from the tracking stage. Step five is to master the music. Middlesworth advises artists to seek alternative mastering engineers, as it is important to have an unbiased approach to the mixes. Step six is to simply sit back and enjoy your musical masterpiece. However, the ultimate golden rule for a successful day in the studio is lots of practice beforehand. Middlesworth has no problem with a bit of experimentation while in session, but a smooth run requires preparation prior. 

Middlesworth has had years of experience working and recording with a wide array of artists including Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, Heyde Center for the Arts, The State Theatre, Aaron Spina, Davey J and The Jonestones, Side Effect, UWEC Jazz, Purdue University, River Valley Theatre Company, Seattle Public Theatre, and Second Story Repertory. 

To get in touch with the musical recording master, most previous artists have used email or phone, but Middlesworth makes a point to be out and about as much as possible seeing shows and sitting with local artists and bands.

“It’s a thrill for me to be asked to do something new and challenging by an artist and see it all come to life,” Middlesworth said. “I personally think it is important to stay open to new ideas and walk down new creative avenues.”

Pine Hollow is located in Eau Claire. Find more information at PineHollowAudio.com or call Evan at (206) 276-1915.