Our State-of-the-Art Equipment
At AuroraSound Studios, located in the heart of Seattle's vibrant Fremont neighborhood, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive selection of top-of-the-line equipment to meet all your audio production needs. Our meticulously maintained studio is equipped with industry-standard microphones, consoles, digital audio workstations (DAWs), outboard gear, and monitoring systems, ensuring that your recordings are of the highest possible quality. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an emerging artist, our equipment will help you achieve your sonic vision with clarity and precision.
Our studio's commitment to excellence extends beyond just the quality of our gear. We also provide a comfortable and inspiring creative environment. Located just a stone's throw from the iconic Space Needle, our studio offers a unique blend of technical prowess and artistic ambiance. Elias Thorne, our founder and lead audio engineer, personally ensures that every piece of equipment is regularly calibrated and updated to meet the ever-evolving demands of the music industry. We believe that the right tools, combined with expert guidance, are essential for creating truly exceptional audio productions. Explore our equipment list below and discover the difference that quality makes.
Microphones
Our microphone collection is carefully curated to provide a wide range of tonal options for capturing vocals, instruments, and ambient sounds. We feature both classic and modern microphones, each chosen for its unique sonic characteristics and versatility. Whether you're looking for the warmth of a vintage tube microphone or the pristine clarity of a modern condenser, we have the perfect microphone to suit your needs. Below are a few highlights from our microphone locker:
Neumann U87 Ai
The Neumann U87 Ai is a legendary large-diaphragm condenser microphone renowned for its versatility and neutral sound. It's an industry standard for vocals, acoustic instruments, and voiceovers.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Acoustical Operating Principle | Pressure gradient transducer |
| Directional Pattern | Omnidirectional, cardioid, figure-8 |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kΩ | 20/28/22 mV/Pa |
| Nominal Impedance | 200 Ω |
Telefunken ELA M 251E
The Telefunken ELA M 251E is a highly sought-after vintage tube condenser microphone known for its warm, rich, and smooth sound. It's a favorite for vocals and acoustic instruments.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Tube Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Omni, Cardioid, Figure-8 |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz - 20kHz |
| Tube Type | 6072a |
| Output Impedance | 200 ohms |
Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B is a dynamic microphone known for its smooth, flat, and wide-range frequency response. It's popular for vocals, voiceovers, and broadcasting, especially for its ability to reject electromagnetic hum.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Dynamic |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Output Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Sensitivity | -59 dBV/Pa (1.12 mV) |
Consoles & Mixing
Our studio boasts a meticulously maintained API 1608 recording console, renowned for its punchy, analog sound and flexible routing capabilities. Combined with our selection of high-end preamps and summing mixers, we can achieve a wide range of sonic textures, from vintage warmth to modern clarity. Whether you're tracking a full band or mixing a complex electronic composition, our console provides the tools you need to create a professional and polished sound.
API 1608 Console
The API 1608 is an analog recording console known for its classic API sound, flexible routing, and high-quality components. It's a favorite for tracking and mixing a wide range of musical genres.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Channels | 16 Input Channels |
| EQ | 4-Band EQ (550A style) |
| Aux Sends | 6 Aux Sends |
| Routing | Comprehensive Routing Matrix |
| Master Section | Full-Featured Master Section |
DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations)
We offer both Pro Tools and Logic Pro X as our primary DAWs, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of project formats and workflows. Our engineers are proficient in both platforms and can provide expert guidance and support, regardless of your preferred software. Both DAWs are equipped with a comprehensive suite of plugins and virtual instruments, allowing for endless creative possibilities.
- Pro Tools 2024: Industry-standard for recording, mixing, and mastering.
- Logic Pro X: Powerful and intuitive DAW with extensive features and instruments.
Outboard Gear
Our selection of outboard gear includes a variety of compressors, equalizers, and effects processors, allowing us to sculpt and enhance your audio with precision and character. From vintage classics to modern innovations, our outboard gear provides the sonic glue that brings your recordings to life.
SSL G-Series Bus Compressor
The SSL G-Series Bus Compressor is a classic compressor known for its ability to glue tracks together and add punch and clarity to mixes. It's a staple in professional studios worldwide.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Stereo Bus Compressor |
| Threshold | -20 to +20 dBu |
| Ratio | 2:1, 4:1, 10:1 |
| Attack Time | 0.4, 0.8, 4, 8, 16, 24 ms |
| Release Time | 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4 s, Auto |
Monitoring Systems
Our studio is equipped with a selection of high-end studio monitors, providing a transparent and accurate representation of your audio. We also offer a variety of headphones for critical listening and isolation during recording. Our monitoring systems are designed to provide a consistent and reliable listening experience, ensuring that your mixes translate accurately across different playback systems.
Focal SM9 Monitors
The Focal SM9 is a high-end studio monitor known for its exceptional clarity, accuracy, and detailed imaging. It's a favorite among mixing and mastering engineers for its ability to reveal subtle nuances in audio.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | 3-way Active Monitor |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 40kHz |
| Amplification | 400W (LF), 100W (MF), 100W (HF) |
| LF Driver | 8" "W" Composite Sandwich Cone |
| HF Driver | 1" Beryllium Inverted Dome Tweeter |