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spicehousesound

Boutique Recording Studio
Recording - Mixing - Mastering
Philadelphia, PA

The hunt for the ultimate overhead mics is complet

The hunt for the ultimate overhead mics is complete! 😎
After listening to dozens of mics, the Microtech Gefell CMV 563 - M7S is everything we dreamed of.
Initially made famous by the venerable Neumann U47, the M7 capsule has always been a favorite of mine for a drum kit. The smoothing of the cymbals, preservation of detail, and 100hz punch makes it a perfect candidate for any style of drummer. The fact that this mic also has the same beautiful EF86 tube used in the Neumann U67 makes this an obvious all-star. The reason for these similarities is that Microtech Gefell was actually founded by George Neumann, making MG possibly the only company in the world qualified to make a proper M7 capsule. Also it looks neat!
Our microphone technique for drums puts a spotlight on overhead mics. We believe that just by bringing up two overhead mics you should have a correctly panned AND mixed kit. The spot mics come in to enhance what is already there and make unique choices for each style.
And YES before anyone asks the other overhead choice for us is the Coles 4038 (did I even need to say it???)
Thanks to @microtechgefell for making these for us! Thanks so much to Jacob at @vintagekingaudio for arranging purchase and getting us a demo unit for proper testing.

Behold! The next step in achieving the Perfect Mas

Behold! The next step in achieving the Perfect Mastering Chain 🤩
The Knif Pure Mu has been on my list for a LONG time. This "simplified" mastering compressor has the best box sound I've ever heard. ♥️ That's probably because it sports no less than 10 vintage hand-matched tubes and two giant custom-made amphorous core dual channel transformers. The saturation alone is worth the hefty price of admission, but the release action is really what makes this unit shine. We originally got it to replace our Vari Mu II, but quickly discovered that the units work best in concert with each other. And those two combined with our Fearn VT-4s and Eksa, it seems we've assembled the mastering dream team.
In order to learn how a mastering unit works we print masters with over 100 different settings and configurations, and listen blind to discover the best possible configurations. It may sound over the top, but it's a necessary part of our integration process. If you want the best results you have to try every possibility. We've discovered some pretty amazing results from the Pure Mu thus far. Like other Knif gear it's magical tone brings detail forward, sweetens the midrange, and focuses the low end. Not to mention it can can shape the dynamics of a record to make is suddenly feel alive and exciting.
We couldn't be happier with our Pure Mu. It's certainly going to play a large role in creating the clearest, biggest, warmest sounding masters you've ever heard. Onward and upward! 🙌

You may have noticed an extra layer of depth and c

You may have noticed an extra layer of depth and clarity to your masters over the last few months. That's thanks to this magical piece of technological art and the latest upgrade to my mastering arsenal. I present my not-so-secret weapon - The Knif Audio Eksa Mastering Equalizer.
This piece does something I previously thought was impossible. It ADDS detail. Putting any piece of equipment in the signal chain should have a small degrading or 'warming' sound. However this unit, unlike anything else I've ever heard, seems to add clarity while just running through at unity gain. I have no scientific or spiritual explanation of how or why this is possible, but it's clear to my ears.
Once I heard this thing I knew I had to have it. I wasn't even in the market to buy a clean outboard EQ. In fact, I thought I'd never be interested in a clean outboard equalizer when digital EQs exist. Well, I'm here to tell you that my mind is changed and the difference is real.
This is Jonte Knif's HiFi version of the classic Sontec EQ, regarded by many as the greatest EQ circuit ever made. This piece takes all the magic settings from this classic and adds Jonte's genius custom-made components and circuit adjustments to get a sonic quality far beyond that of the original.
It's a dream come true to be able to use such finely crafted equipment every day to work on your music. I'm counting my lucky stars and telling myself that if you want to be the best, you have to have the best. Thank you Jonte!

✨It's our first demo contest!✨ Here's a fun w

✨It's our first demo contest!✨
Here's a fun way for us to give out discounted studio time to local up-and-coming artists. We typically do these types of sponsorships in private, but we thought it would be more interesting to open it up to all of our Instagram followers.
Submit your demo to win a 50%+ off taking one single from demo to master. Feel free to share this post and spread the word!
All demos must be submitted by 11/30, and we will announce the winner in December. I'm excited to hear your tunes, y'all! ✨🌶️
We're especially hoping to hear from
@juliaprattmusic
@parksecretmusic
@maxdavey_
Link in bio!

Time to make some GOLD records y'all!!!! 🤩🤩🤩 Say hello to our newest house kit. We've had our eyes peeled for a couple years looking for a mint condition vintage Ludwig Downbeat kit, and we were fortunate enough to find this Gold Sparkle version in immaculate condition. Looking at it, I can't believe this kit is from the 1960s, Even @ryanbergdrums was impressed!
Our goal in getting this kit was to expand our variety of sounds readily available for every session. These are all new smaller drum sizes for us, and complement our existing Yamaha kits by offering a different, equally great, flavor. We're also just suckers for anything @ludwigdrumshq, check out our snare collection and you'll see, haha.
Ryan Berg has got this kit freshly tuned and record ready 💪 come check it out!
Special thanks to @drumma_satch for finding this awesome kit and @ryanbergdrums for restoring and tuning it 🙏 more good things on the way soon

Monolithic Monoblocks! So happy we finally found o

Monolithic Monoblocks! So happy we finally found our forever amps 😍
Some equipment doesn't even need knobs! Weighing in at 75 pounds EACH, these Power Modules amplifiers can supply a total of 4000 watts of ultra-clean power into our custom-made studio monitors. One of the many things that sets our studio apart is our ultra-detailed HiFi monitoring - and now that it's powered by these monstrosities it's never been clearer or louder.
These are the only amplifiers in existence that can supply the enormous power we require while still upholding our strict audio quality standards. Typically high powered power amps like the kind you see in live venues or some studios, sacrifice sound quality for big power. Not these. I've been looking for a pair of these Monoblocks for YEARS. Now the speakers I started designing when I was 16 can finally be properly powered.
Amps make the biggest difference in sound quality right behind speakers and room. Our room is designed from the bottom up by the best acousticians in the world, and our speakers are designed by me especially for our room. Now, with our amplifiers set, we've got the whole package!

#Facereveal Hey All! It me. Alex Santilli. Typica

#Facereveal Hey All! It me. Alex Santilli.
Typically, I'm behind the glass or behind the scenes, but today I'm here right on your screen.
Spice House Sound is my temple dedicated to sound. It's my life's work. I've been sketching it out and designing it since I was 16, and I'll be working on it until I can't any longer. My goal is to create a space where the experience of sound is so transcendent and wonderful that it's undeniable and self-evident. Every day I'm working towards that goal and nudging the studio ever so slightly in that direction.
I don't typically post pictures of myself. It's because my life is about sound, not looks. Though it's mostly because I hate seeing pictures of myself!
But, this picture? I like it. That's because Amanda Feeman did a wonderful job capturing how I see myself. The photos, the experience - It made me feel really good. Thank you Amanda. I know you care about your work and it shows. @tyedyepanduh @amanda.feeman

As soon as we heard Coles 4038's through these Hel

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Phone: (203) 644-2129

1514 E Wilt St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Booking@SpiceHouseSound.com

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