Home studio makes recording a reality

Talk of a recording studio in the Tappin household had been going on for years.

‘‘It’s always been a bit of a joke really,’’ Kevin Tappin said.

‘‘Let’s start a recording studio hahaha. Whatever, like that’ll ever happen.’’

However, over time it dawned on Kevin and stepson Michael Tipping they probably, actually, really could do it.

Top quality gear was collected and before they knew it, the basement in the Tappin household was a hive of activity.

Just a few short weeks ago Mill Corner Studio was born, a home-built recording studio with commercial quality gear.

Making the booth for the studio was the major job of the project.

Kevin and Michael had created an album a month or so back without a booth for a woman who had been looking to make a recording for a long time.

Recording a music album used to be out of a lot of people’s price range and today it often still is, especially with artists needing to travel to main centres like Auckland or Hamilton.

Which makes the home studio, which still delivers on professional quality, here in Matamata so unique.

Realising people’s dreams is where Kevin and Michael wanted to go with their recording studio.

The pair wanted to make recording an album an achievable dream for the everyday person.

Although Kevin and Michael have a strong connection to country music, this genre isn’t the only type that can be created in the studio.

‘‘It could be rock ‘n’ roll, hip hop, jazz, opera, whatever they like,’’ Kevin said.

Whatever the genre, the recording process is the same.

‘‘We realised after we recorded that first album the booth was actually something that really needed to happen.’’

Kiwi ingenuity and a bit of trial and error led the keen musicians to complete their dream.

The booth has now been built with help from a number of people, including Kevin’s wife Kay.

‘‘It’s been a long process and there’s been a lot of helping hands,’’ Michael said.

The studio has now recorded two albums after international country music star Joy Adams paid the pair a visit a few weeks back.

‘‘She put a lot of trust in us to come to a new studio, which was quite humbling.

‘‘ I’ve been in a lot of studios and recorded in a lot of studios but I haven’t been the one pushing the buttons,’’ Michael said.

Cooper’s Run, a country music duo featuring Michael and his wife Ashley, has already produced three albums.

They too will be getting into the Mill Corner booth before long.

Kay Tappin is also recording her own album and there have been a number of other enquiries.

Michael said there will now be a lot of pride when listening to CDs he and Kevin have worked on.

Kevin believes recording an album should be a fun experience for everybody. ‘‘I want people to realise their dreams of being able to record themselves.

‘‘It’s the fulfillment of a lifetime dream for so many people, to record themselves and leave a part of themselves for their family.’’

Michael agrees. He shouldn’t be expensive.

‘‘ It shouldn’t be unachievable. Especially these days with the technology that’s available,’’ Kevin added.

‘‘There are so many amazing singers around that haven’t got a hope of being able to achieve recording at the prices that they are,’’ Michael said.

The pair said an artist should also have the chance to be involved in the crafting of their own album should they wish to.

‘‘To actually be involved in that final part of the album for an artist is huge,’’ Michael said.

Kevin said he and Michael complement each other when working in their recording studio.

Kevin brings the technical skills to the job, while Michael has the musicianship.

‘‘That’s why it works so well, because we’ve both got our own individual strengths,’’ Michael said.

The whole experience has also provided a great bonding opportunity for the family, while also providing an opportunity for talented singers and musicians in the community.

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