Core Studios on SoundBetter

With Nik Carpenter and Dylan Smith working out of Core Studios, the experience between them is second to none The highlights of Dylan's Career started when working in Los Angeles as the Assistant Engineer/Runner at the Foo Fighters 606 studios. The highlights continued when he came home and was interning at 301 Studios in Sydney.

For over 15 years Nik Carpenter has been a major contributor to the Australian and international heavy music scene. Nik had his first number 1 album In 2001 as frontman for one of the countries pioneering metal exports Devolved. He was voted number 1 metal vocalist ahead of legends Maynard James Keenan (Tool) and Cory Taylor (Slipknot), and has toured the globe sharing the stage with bands like Machine Head, Fear factory, Opeth, Nile, Carcus and many more. In 2003 Carpenter opened Core Studios on the Gold Coast which quickly became the go to for many SE Queensland artists. Over the last 15 years core has produced countless albums for bands and artists from many genres and sub genres as diverse as metal, hardcore, punk, rock, pop, hip hop, blues, a huge amount of these returning time and time again to work in Carpenters professional yet relaxed environment. Nik has worked with many of the worlds biggest names in record production; Zeuss (hatebreed, Whitechapel) , Josh Schroder (in hearts wake, king810) Kurt Ballaou (Converge) Will Putney, Hertz studios ) and mastering legends like Alan douches (Fleetwood Mac, beastie boys) UE nastasi (AC/DC , Wu-tang clan) and more.

Working out of Core together, Nik and Dylan provided a relaxing yet professional environment for musicians to bring their art to life.

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5 Reviews

Endorse Core Studios

by Dominic
Dylan was an absolute machine for us. The whole process was easy and very relaxing. Very professional! Can’t wait to go back!!
by Sam Bergmark
Dylan remained positive, hard working and driven throughout the process of recording my album. Quality work and banter is off the charts. Will definitely be working with him again in the future!
by Stefan Du Randt
Dylan is incredibly driven and proved himself invaluable to the team at Studios 301. He got to sit in and observe some of the industry’s top engineers and producers during his time at 301. He shows a lot of promise as an audio engineer and would be an asset to any organisation.
by Callum Robinson
Over the past six year of working with Dylan from the beginning of his studies to his professional profile now, he has never been anything shy of a determined and persistent producer. His development has impacted my own music so much and I will continue to work with him for many years to come.
by John Lousteau
"Dylan did a great job for me during his time at Studio 606. Dylan definitely has the right attitude and work ethic to stay busy in music."

John "Lou" Lousteau
Chief Engineer
Studio 606

Interview with Core Studios

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To take any artistic vision about music they have in mind and make it a reality.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Metal, Pop Punk, Rock, Indie pop
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: We have a professional looking studio with an Audient ASP4816 Analogue Recording Console as the centre of it all. We have an Axe Fx II and A Neve Portico Channel II. To top it all off we have an extensive list of microphones that will cater for any production.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Production and Mixing
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The fact that we get to listen to music all day and people call it a 'Job'
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Nik started as the Vocalist of Devolved back in the early 2000's and from there he opened Core Studios and its evolved to the powerhouse it is today. Dylan caught a break in America and Interned for 606 Studios and 301 in Sydney which paved the path that would eventually cross with Niks at Core Studios.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My time at 606 was my biggest achievement. Being able to sit in on a mixing session with the likes of James Brown, Alan Moulder and Butch Vig as 21 yr old engineer... Absolute highlight of my career so far
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both, Analogue because of the sound, digital because of the workflow
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would absolutely love to work with In Hearts Wake, an Australian metal band that i've known for years.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Get it right in the recording! Don't go by the old "Fix it in the mix" sentiment.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Once the client sends me tracks it's straight to editing, time align the drums, vocal tuning and cleaning up the session ready for mixing. When mixing I always start with the drums and bass because to me they are the absolute foundation of a mix. Once you get the drums and bass sounding awesome, the rest of the mix is cake. From there i usually work on the guitars, then to top it off i polish off the Vocals. Once i'm happy with the dry sound of all aspects of the mix i work on all my fx, drum plates, vocal delays/verbs etc etc. Then i top it all off with Automation!