Blue whale recordings - the house of analog
BLUE WHALE RECORDINGS STUDIO
**Blue Whale Recordings Studio does no longer exist per-se. Most of the gear and backline has been moved to the Ranch’n’Chapel Studios in a farmhouse in Nedlitz, Sachsen-Anhalt.
We’re still producing with the same workflow and approach, just in a residential way since it is not the easies/fastest to get out there. We’re happy to answer all your questions!**
**we’re no longer taking interns or employees**
Located in the heart of Berlin- Wedding and based on pure analog recording techniques, Blue Whale Recordings specialises on bringing the best out of the music of our artists and customers. We prefer honest music and great vibes to perfection, we aim for dynamic, fast workflow and spontaneity. We love real (and vintage!) instruments and musicians and we love analog tape.
Its high quality but yet extremely affordable prices makes it one of the favourite studios for indie singer-songwriters and bands from Berlin and Germany.
Our studio is the musical headquarter of the label Blue Whale Records but it also works as an independent recordings and mixing facility.
We record everything into 8 track (sometimes 16 track) tape and use our mixing board and outboard gear to make our music sound as good, warm and fat as it can.
The use of quality instruments and amps is a big plus on our sounds. If your source is great, the rest is easy!
We use exclusively RTM SM911 Tapes for a better sound.
There’s also the possibility of tracking and mixing in the box if (really) needed, just ask us.
team
tomás Peralta - Chief producer & engineer
after many years of experience in all musical fields, from classical to experimental, Tomás found his musical home in Berlin and producing music in an old fashioned way. He’s fascinated by vintage techniques and analog sounds. You can also hear him playing some groovy basses in many bands.
EMILIO ORTECHO - PRODUCER & ENGINEER
At the age of 16 he was already working at the best studio around his hometown, so he know his shit. Also seasoned bassist, Emilio landed in Berlin pursuing further studies on sound and production, becoming that way an analog freak as well. But he’s the guy who’d do the hybrid production. He’s found a comfortable workflow going back an forth the tapes and computers.
gear
MIXING CONSOLE:
Vintage Studiomaster MKII, 16 Channels with 4 Band “British” EQ, 16 Bus Groups, 6 Aux.
Vintage Eela Broadcasting Console, 8 Channels with 2 Band German EQ-
KEYS:
Fender Rhodes MKI Stage SenventyThree
Crumar Drawbar Organ + Honer Leslie Cab
Hammond Organ XK-5 (upon request)
Crumar Compac Piano
Moog Little Phatty
Roland Bass Synth TB-303
Virus TI2 Desktop
Moog Minitaur
Hohner Organa
Upright Piano
GUITARS & BASSES:
Gretsch Electromatic G5420T
Partscaster Telecaster
Fender Telecaster Baja
Cort Larry Coriel w/Bigsby
Sunrise Explorer
Danelectro 12 Strings
Danelectro Baritone Guitar
D28 type Western Guitar
Gibson j45
Gold Tone PBS Squareneck Resophonic Guitar
WBS E9 (three pedals, four knee levers) Pedal Steel Guitar
U8 Touch Guitar
1971 Fender Precision Bass
1970 Höfner Violin Bass 500/1
Burns Bison Bass
1930’ German Double Bass
Sendel Baby Bass
Eastman F-Style Carved Mandolin
1960’ No Name Open Back Old Time Bajo (Nylgut Strings)
AMPS:
Fender Vibrolux Reverb (upon request)
Fender Deluxe Reverb, Tweed (upon request)
Fender Princeton ‘68 (upon request)
Fender Champion 600
VHT Super 6
Engle Jive
Fender Bassman 50
Ampeg PF-50T
1x15 Carlsbro Cab
RECORDERS:
Tascam TSR-8, 8 Track 1/2” Tape Machine
Tascam 85-16, 16 Track 1” Tape Machine
Otari MX7000, 2 Track 1/4” Tape Machine
Logic Pro X & Protools Ultimate, 8 simultaneous inputs and outputs
MONITORING:
Event 20/20 1st generation
Focal CMS40
Auratone mono speaker
OUTBOARD GEAR:
Focusrite ISA430mkII Channel Strip (Preamp, Comp, Gate, DeEss, 2 x EQ, Limiter)
1176 Compressor Clones KlarkTeknik x 3
LA2A Valve Compressor Clone KlarkTeknik x 2
Tegeler Audio Magnetismus 2 Stereo Compressor
Valve Pultec EQP Clone KlarkTeknik
EFFECTS:
Tape Delay/Spring Reverb Roland RE201 x 2
Stereo Digital Effect Processor Lexicon Alex
Stereo Digital Effect Processor Ensoniq DP/2
Stereo Spring Reverb Amplification System Sansui RA500
MICROPHONES:
Stam Audio SA-47-MKII
Stam Audio SA-87
3U Audio “The Wrabler” MKIV x 2
Charter Oak SA538
THE Audio KR-25A
Oktava MK-319
Studio Projects/797 Audio C1
Studio Projects/797 Audio C3
AKG C212 x 2
Shure KSM313/NE
Pronomic M1
Shure SM7B
Heil PR40
Beyer M-81 x 2
AKG D190
Shure Beta58 X 2
DRUMS:
1975 Slingerland Kit 22”, 16”, 13”
1960s Trowa Kit 20”, 15.5”, 12”
No Name/No Date Kit 20”, 14”, 12”
Vintage 70s Pearl 24” kick drum (upon request)
Vintage Ludwig Supraphonic Snare (upon request)
Ludwig Black Beauty Snare (upon request)
No Name/No Date Wooden Snares x 2
Assortment of Vintage Paiste and Zildjian Cymbals
Sonor Glockenspiel
Assortment of Small/Latin Percussions
If you’d like to know more about us and how we work, about gear, dates, and pricing, please get in touch through this contact form. We will get back to you shortly.