Middle Ridge Studio on SoundBetter

Middle Ridge Studio is a one room log cabin recording studio on the V6 Ranch in Parkfield, California. The studio is owned and operated by Sound Engineer Cian Hamilton from Sligo, Ireland. Cian has worked with some of Ireland's premier folk musicians including Anna Mieke, Ultan O'Brien and Antonio O'Breskey, Alannah Thornburgh, Alfi and more.

Middle Ridge Studio is a log cabin recording studio in Parkfield, California. Conveniently located 35 miles north-east of Paso Robles and roughly three and a half hours north of LA and three and a half hours south of San Francisco. Middle Ridge Studio is a hidden gem in the Diablo Mountain Range on the V6 Ranch.

The studio is a 20’ x 30’ one room setup in a beautiful log cabin far away from the hustle and bustle. Fully equipped with both modern and vintage recording equipment, and instruments. The studio is run by Sound Engineer Cian Hamilton.

Cian Hamilton is a recording and mixing engineer from Sligo, Ireland. After relocating to California in 2021, Cian set up Middle Ridge Studio with his wife, Lauren. Nestled in a log cabin on the Diablo Mountain Range of the V6 Ranch, Middle Ridge Studio is a hidden gem, fully equipped with an array of modern and vintage, analog and digital recording equipment.

Middle Ridge Studio was established in 2022, but Cian’s studio experience and expertise was honed over several years before this and he’s gone on to work with some of Ireland’s premier folk musicians; such as Winter Aid, Anna Mieke, Alannah Thornburgh, Ultan O’Brien and Antoni O’Breskey, Alannah Thornburgh, Alfi, Seánie Bermingham and many more. He was also the lead audio engineer for ‘This Ain’t No Disco’.

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Credits

Discogs verified credits for Cían Hamilton

Alfí
Alfí
Anna Mieke

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Interview with Middle Ridge Studio

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: SM57, Apollo Twin, Fender Twin, Melotron, Adam Monitors
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I'm most proud of the work I'm doing right now, because it's my best work.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Mixing an album by a virtuoso Irish Harp player
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Middle Ridge Studio
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. They both have their advantages.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To work together to produce something new.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love that everyday is different, I love to problem solve, I love being at a show one day and being in the studio the next.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Everyone asks different questions.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I think the biggest misconception I find is that mixing isn't linked to production. For example if a client came to a mixing engineer with a production that had all instruments giving it socks for the whole song. A great mix engineer would try to give it eb and flow and might have a conversation with the artist about dropping out instruments in the verses etc. One of the greatest and most simple production techniques there is is having a quiet verse with a loud chorus.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What music other than your own are you excited about right now?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Get in touch. I'd love to hear what you're working on.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been studying sound since 2011
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I would describe my style as your style.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd like to work with the unheard, independent artist that's true to themselves and has a unique character.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen, then do.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Folk, Ambient, Rock, Indie, Psychedelic, Pop, Country
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is my ability to see other peoples visions and drive that even further.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a fresh perspective
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My work process varies a lot, and is dependent on the artist. I try to stay true to the artists vision.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio is a log cabin on the Diablo Mountain range. A stones throw away from the San Andreas Fault. Its located on the V6 Ranch and is a ways from civilisation. I have a multitude of analog and digital equipment, both modern and vintage.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Nick Drake, George Martin, Lefty Frizzell, Anton Newcombe, The Byrds, Dry Cleaning
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My normal day to day can consist of working with an artist in the studio be it recording, producing or mixing. Sometimes I do sit in mixing for clients and sometimes I do remote mixing. I'm also a live sound engineer and mix at various music events.