"Where the science of sound meets art" Bywyd is a bespoke production and recording studio www.bywydstudio.com Offering a range of services from recording and mixing to production deals of which can be suitably tailored to meet your specific needs and requirements “We know everyone has a unique take on their sound and we want to capture that sound"
Bywyd Studio is a recording studio situated in Cardiff Bay and owned and operated by the
talented up and coming duo, Thomas Westgard and Leone Vuetivavalagi.
Taking their inspiration from their shared passion and enthusiasm for music production and recording, Bywyd Studio is named for the Welsh word meaning ‘Life’ and ‘Zest for Life’ which is something they feel they bring to all their productions.
Coming from uniquely different family and cultural backgrounds, Thomas hailing from Norway and Leone’s roots lie in Fiji, the two share a common passion for mixing art and science and their motto ‘where the science of sound meets science’ is born of their understanding and appreciation of the art and science involved in music.
Their approach to recording is as unique as they are themselves and the key to that is the time they spend communicating with the artistes and getting to know them and their musical tastes and influences. They offer a range of services from recording and mixing to production deals – all of which can be suitably tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of the artistes.
Bywyd Studio can accommodate anything from a single to a full album and no job is too big or small for their creative skills.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Interview with Bywyd Studio
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: We recorded drums in an Church from late 11 century early 12th century, Where we spent a day setting up and a day recording drums for a 10 track album. We creatively used all our channels and had mics dotted around the whole church. It was shaped as a cross and we had the drummer in the middle. Had stereo pairs either end and A/B placements and close mics, We even stuck a mic in the font, and up the bell tower. We were hired as engineers on this project but given creative freedom when it came to microphone choices and placements, unfortunately it is not out yet, but hopefully soon!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: We are producing two albums, one is a pop indietronica album and the other is a folk album. Also got a few bands coming in to the studio over the next few months to record and mix.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: We are new to sound better, so sorry no.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Hybrid. there is still a lot analogue signal chain adds to the overall sound. but saying that, there is also a lot you can do digitally you can not analogue, so we work in a hybrid method.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Our motto is "where the science of sound meets art" we promise to make the technology invisible to the artist and not let it get in the way of their vision.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The interesting people we get to meet and interact with, and as our mate Dave once said, we are contributing to the local culture.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you just do this for cheaper, can you do this for free, is it ok we spend a couple hours extra in your studio etc. The answer is always a no but worth asking.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That we do videos and video editing.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Deadlines, is there a producer involved? and that awkward question we hate asking but whats the budget?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Get in touch, We are a friendly gang, and always interested in hearing some new sounds.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Drums, acoustic guitar, Acoustic bass, coffee and coffee pot, so at least we can jam and drink our nice coffee
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: As we are two working in Bywyd, we have had different paths to the studio, but we both met in uni doing our Masters in Engineering and Production. Before that we have both been involved in music as artists/producers and recording / mixing engineers for years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Relaxed, friendly and professional
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Ida Maria, since he has made some wicked albums in the past Audiobooks, Love their sound. Black Keys, Also a genre and sound we could do justice
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always serve the song and emotion.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, Indie, Rock, Folk, Hip Hop
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Our wide knowledge of music, engineering and technology.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Our experience.. We at the studio comes from very different musical back ground. From bands, and education we have taken different paths to ending up in a studio, so the wide range of experience gives us an edge to work with most artists.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: As most sessions are different there s no typical work process, but the song dictates what is needed.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: We have a Topaz desk running through an Antelope converter. We use Pro tools for most tracking and mixing, but also use Abelton and Logic for composition, We have a separate vocal both and amp room, and an open studio solution when it comes to drums or bigger groups. We usually work in a hybrid method between analogue and digital.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Joe Barresi, Flood, Dj Premiere, Eric Sarafin,
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Record, mix and produce.
- Recording StudioAverage price - $500 per day
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $400 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $400 per song
- EditingAverage price - $40 per track
- Vocal compingAverage price - $40 per track
- Live SoundAverage price - $400 per concert
We ask for 50% fee to hold a studio day, Rest to be paid on the day of recording.
Mixing we ask for the full fee payed up front for online submissions.
- The Black Keys
- Sufjan Stevens
- Queens of the Stone Age
- Slate Digital
- Pro tools
- Ableton Live
- Logic
- Soundtoys
- BSS Compressor/limiter
- Sansui Reverbaration
- Shure
- AKG
- Beyer Dynamic
- Electro Voice
- Wasaphone
