Widget Studios

Such fun seeing and at

What’s this, a new engineer…?

Few people know that when Dave Young started dating Kristine Werner many years ago, she had already begun sound engineering. Soon after, she enrolled in the Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, OH.

Just finished a full weekend tracking bass and making good use of that new iso booth.

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Day 1, scene 1… having fun!

Fun times with loud music!

Back in February, we flew to Philadelphia to record and produce this live album for Dennis Selfridge at the Kelly Center in Havertown, and it just released last week.

It was such a pleasure to work on this record. Dennis is a fantastic songwriter and storyteller, and he is surrounded by Chris McCord(lead guitar, vocals), Jim Stager(bass) and Erik Johnson(drums), some of the most talented players in Philly who I’ve looked up to for years. Being present for the show and listening live to the tracks was like sitting through a masterclass. Jim and Erik are a rhythm section’s rhythm section, and together they somehow cut a groove greater than the sum of all their parts. It was truly an awe-inspiring experience and pure joy watching them work.

Head to Spotify or Apple Music or wherever you stream music and give this thing a listen.

Abraham and I have this studio in a mess. We’re putting a system together for a big weekend supporting Rodney Rice

Today our “studio” is an empty silo with no roof and a tree growing out the top. Camel City Drivers came all the way to Colorado to record their next album in this silo, and we are so grateful to be on this incredible journey with them. Stay tuned.

This is our newest member of the family. This thing is super clean, no doubt kept in its box for 40+ years.

When the AKG D330BT was first introduced in the 1970’s it was a cutting edge high quality hand-held vocal microphone designed to give singers a ton of control at their fingertips. With 2 built-in 3-way switches, the performer could easily add high end presence and roll off the low end without asking anyone. This sort of thing would never be allowed by any self-respecting sound person nowadays, but these are great for recording instruments because they allow you to shape the sound before hitting the pre, giving you tons of dynamic control. Doesn’t it look good next to our vintage AKG D12E?

Dirty Shoes Band spent a bunch of time here in the studio over the past 9 months recording their album Prairie Dust Delta Mud. We had some good times! We can’t say enough about how amazing these guys are, through and through. These guys are honestly some of the most talented and capable musicians we’ve had the pleasure to work with - such professionals! If every session were as effortless as these were… well, I guess there’d be nothing to talk about in those rockumentaries. 😂😂😂

We’re so proud of the work we got to do with you guys last year. Y’all are welcome back here anytime!

Their album released on all streaming platforms this week, so if you have access and some time, head over to your preferred streaming app and give it a listen. You honestly won’t regret it.

This 1938 Kay Orchestra Bass Viol was acquired in 2017 from a musical instrument shop in York, Pennsylvania. It has traveled all the way up and down the east coast from Rockland, ME to Key Largo, FL and then all the way out to Colorado. … and that’s just in the last 8 years! If this thing could talk, imagine just sipping bourbon and listening to it share stories from its 86 year life.

Today is the day we’ve been waiting for! You can now stream the new album by Dirty Shoes Band recorded and produced right here in our studio.

Dirty Shoes Band are led by frontman, pianist, singer & songwriter Doug Krause (Dr Doug) whose unique writing and vocal/piano performance will make you think of icons like Randy Newman, Leon Russell, and Dr John. In addition to writing, singing and fronting the band, Doug also performed the organs, steel and slide guitars, and orchestrated the strings and horns on the record.

Go give this thing a listen today!



https://open.spotify.com/track/1MiTkCXUn6s9wyhJNEvNwk?si=_6nkJHXCQpWdB2popBhJtw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A00VX370meXXyu5ZVDdcd9o

On this day, May 31st, 1961, American singer and guitarist Chuck Berry opened Berryland, the 30-acre amusement park, in Wentzville, MO. The park featured a zoo and an iconic guitar-shaped swimming pool.

Meet Avery. She’s been interning here at the studio for about 16 months. She’s a fantastic singer and songwriter, and we can’t wait for you to hear the songs she’s been working on.

Sadly, we said our last goodbyes today as she heads to Italy in 2 days to work at a camp for the summer. But you’ll be seeing more of her here at the studio after she returns in August.

Avery, thank you for everything, and we wish you the very best summer abroad.
nul

These 2 Chandler Limited TG2 (500 series) mic preamps joined the studio in December 2023. We’d long awaited an opportunity to bring a couple in, and one presented itself.

These preamps are based on those found in the original EMI TG12345 consoles from the 1960’s, and their sound can be found on much of the Abbey Road recordings from that era.




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On this day, May 24th, 1933, amidst a long-fought battle with tuberculosis, accompanied by a nurse and having rested on a cot in between songs, Jimmie Rodgers completed his last-ever recording session for Victor Records.

Within 36 hours of his final session, “the father of country music” had passed away.

Rest in peace, Jimmie!

Some of the best feedback we get from bands who rehearse here in Studio B has to do with our drum kit. These are German-made Sonor SQ-1 drums with DW hi-hat and kick pedal. And our cymbals are Zildjian K’s. You won’t find a better set of drums in any other rehearsal space in town.

On this day, May 17th, 1933, American singer-songwriter Jimmie Rodgers (otherwise known as ‘The Singing Brakeman’) began his first day of recording on his last-ever recording session… more on this story, next fun-fact-Friday.

The CDs are finished, and they look and sound great! We couldn’t be more proud of the work we did on this record. It sounds just the way it ought to(in our humble opinion).

Dirty Shoes Band, led by singer/songwriter, Dr. Doug Krause, will release their new album, Prairie Dust Delta Mud on June 1st, 2024. Be on the lookout for streaming links. We’ll let you know when they are available.

Here’s a Coles 4038 ribbon microphone which sounds fantastic on just about anything. We’ve coveted these mics for years, and last year we were finally able to score a matched set. If you record here, chances are these mics will be used.

On this day, May 10th, 1994, Weezer released their self-titled debut album, The Blue Album.

This is an especially *fun* fact for our very own Dave Young, who had an entire “blue wall” dedicated to this album in one of his first apartments. Bring on the nostalgia.

#1994

This week we had the great pleasure of working with , producing a record of his amazing songs while being filmed by . What a fantastic week it’s been. Our hearts are full.

On this day, May 8th, 1911, blues musician Robert Johnson was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Happy birthday, Robert!

We’ve been working hard over here, but we’re finally starting to see the dust settle on all our recent studio renovations.

Headshots anyone?!? The studio’s set up and the batteries are charged. You may not have known that photography is something we do. It’s not necessarily one of our main services offered. Years ago, I did a lot of work with, and learned a lot from Since then .studios has prioritized music production, but for my most exclusive clients, I’m happy to come out of retirement.

We’ve had this piano for several years, and we love it. It sounds fantastic, especially for being over 100 years old… BUT the bench does not belong to it (aftermarket addition), and I’ve always felt the height of the keyboard made it less fun to play. So today as I was packing up to head home, I was struck with an idea. Rather than get a new bench that adjusts higher (the pedals would still be really high), why not build a platform to make the whole floor higher. We had a bunch of cedar scraps lying around from our recent renovations, so I came back to the studio and put his bad boy together. This thing makes this piano so much fun to play now, and with the rough-hewn cedar floor, you’ll be tempted to toss yer peanut shells and spit tobacco… 🤣🤣🤣

Season 7/Episode 7 dropped today: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-or-your-life-s7-e7-luke-messac-md/id1529907905?i=1000637786463

Lightly paraphrasing from today's guest: ‘The source of much disillusion in medicine is the fundamental tension between the widely held ideals and aims of medical care and the market fundamentalism that dominates American life, which leaves those of us who work in health care with a gnawing sense that we are being drawn away from our raison d’etre.’

Luke Messac, MD, PhD, is an emergency physician and historian at Mass General Brigham in Boston and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE, just released by Oxford University Press, on November 1 of 2023.

Have a listen and let us know what you think ([email protected]).
Wendy Dean Luke Messac Widget Studios

Had a fantastic session today with Dr Doug and the Dirty Shoes band. Can’t wait for y’all to hear what’s being made in the studio these days.

It’s such a pleasure to work with such talented and seasoned musicians who know how to lay it down.

Had a fantastic time working with Hahn Audio laying down bass tracks for Matt Isonhood’s new record this week.

This was actually my first time recording my new 1985 Englehardt EC1, and I really like the way it sounded. Of course it still hasn’t taken my heart from my 1938 Kay Orchestra.

Can’t wait for the record to release, and I’ll let y’all know where you can check it out.