Producer and Composer based in a stunning neo-classical church in the UK. Stephen has over 20 years of international experience as the founder of multi-genre veterans a.P.A.t.T.. Stephen receives critical acclaim from the likes of The Wire (shortlisted for “Best Avant-Rock”), Pitchfork, The Quietus and constant airplay on the BBC.
Critically acclaimed for his natural, true recordings as much as his hyper-real and current production chops (Dyasono), his diversity flows from a wholly musician-focussed approach which is equally as relevant for jazz bands, noise acts and pure pop artists alike. Glowing testimonials reflect Stephen’s energetic commitment to developing and platforming artists and their work over two decades, locally, nationally, and internationally, informed by his veteran touring status with Liverpool’s electronic art-rock faves, a.P.A.t.T. Working from his studio loft space in a Georgian church on the fringes of Liverpool’s city centre, Stephen has the qualities needed to deliver what the artist wants.
With the hardware, performance space and atmosphere to set your performance alight, Stephen is equipped and ready to take your project as far as you need.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Interview with Stephen Cole
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Dyasono - Walk Away https://youtu.be/hZJ3cLBdH_k
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Jazz improvised album by a trio Pop album by solo artist Pop-rock album by solo artist Progressive rock album by band
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Tall-Trees Mastering Liverpool.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both always, as they are always working together in a modern studio. my hybrid style is incorporating classic Analog pre's like Neve 1073's and high-end Digital like Apogee convertors.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: What Studio works with you, creating a sound and vision with your desired intent and confident agency.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Music
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Often musicians (me included) get weirded out handing over their music to be worked remotely. It takes an enormous amount of trust to be able to do that. So usually we start with a track to gain confidence in the process we will take when we work together.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: If only I knew.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: All of them. Communication is essential, especially when pre-production is underway. Pre-production is extremely important to a successful project.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Contact me.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I would need to know if there were any digital playback systems on this metaphorical island. Do I presume there are plugs and power too? Oo and does this include the leads??
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: 20+ plus
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style varied depending on the role I am in, I can be broke down to this: Recording - Artist serving, open, experimental, encouraging, problem solving, time aware./ Production - Song serving. Mixing - Genre serving, Modern sound with little memories attached, contextual
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Scott Walker, as it would be a high-end experience of watching a true artist work and supporting in some way.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always turn-up, tune-up, keep your eye on the aim and time and keep reviewing what you have done, production comes naturally after that. Oh and bring all soft-synth down 2db from the get-go.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Left of centre artists mainly. All the cool ones... Garage Rockers, Skronk Jazzers, Modern Poppers, Grindcorerz, New Wavers, Noisy Folk
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Production, mixing, playing
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: What Studio works with you, creating a sound and vision with your desired intent and confident agency.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Depends on the project. All projects are treated uniquely
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Well equipped huge unique sounds and space with plenty of air and light. The studio is based in the unparalleled neo-classical location of St Brides, in Liverpool’s city centre, a stone’s throw away from the Georgian quarter. Incredible spaces make for incredible projects A hybrid digital/analog approach is taken to recording, mixing and mastering Apogee with Neve 1073’s, MOTU and Audient input stages. An have a tasty ever-growing microphone collection including Neumann, Sontronics and Pearlman. Monitoring is Neumann and ADAM and the DAW is Logic X. Stephen is proud to be an ambassador for Sontronics and Roland
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I'm very influenced by production that works best along with the music, ranging from Phil Spector to Billy Anderson I love coherent production, something that works alongside the music and supports it. My favourite modern production could be somewhere between Nigel Godrich and Knower
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Production, Mixing, Recording with occasional Mastering
- ProducerAverage price - $250 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $200 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $350 per day
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $70 per song
- Live drum trackAverage price - $150 per song
- Film ComposerContact for pricing
- Full instrumental productionContact for pricing
