Peach Fork Studios
By Matthew Toledo - 10/22/2001
The AMN's continuing coverage of local and regional recording studios takes us to Peach Fork Studios located near Pomeroy, Ohio. Bernie Nau, owner and chief engineer of Peach Fork, has been a figure in the local music scene for decades. He is an avid fan of Irish Folk music and has toured Europe and America as a member of the Irish folk group, The House Band. His other business, udance.com, sells Irish step dancing CD's for step dancing competitions. What is Irish step dancing you ask? It's that Riverdance stuff you saw on PBS. For the MTV generation, step dancing is what that girl was doing in the video for House of Pain's hit "Jump." You get the idea. Bernie also plays keys for the popular local townie cover band, The Wingnuts.
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The studio is situated on 100 acres of rolling hills just north west of Pomeroy, Ohio. If you've ever been out to Fur Peace Ranch, it's just a few more minutes down the road. It's an unimposing yellow rental house that was converted into a studio by Bernie a few years back. Much time has been spent fixing the rooms so that they would all be acoustically transparent. Which, in layman's terms, means that the room doesn't have it's own "sound", only the sound you provide will be recorded.
Peach Fork is a digital recording and mastering studio, though Bernie has plans to purchase some circa 80's vintage analog recording equipment. There are also plans to build an expansion to the studio, and add walking trails on the land. "There is sometimes a lot of downtime for musicians who are waiting their turn to record their part", stated Bernie. I agree. It would be nice to stretch my legs while my lead singer records vocals and harmonies.
Business looks good for Peach Fork. So much so that Pomeroy native Adam Krawsczyn was recently hired to help Bernie record bands. He also records bands on his own. Blitzkrieg, a metal band from the Pomeroy area, is slated to record with Adam this month. I had a chance to chat with Adam about his recording experience and Peach Fork Studios.
AMN: Adam, when did you start working at Peach Fork Studio's?
Adam: I started at Peach Fork in January of 2001 during the Hot Point String Band's new album.
AMN: Were you and Bernie friends before hand, or did he interview folks? Basically, how did you get the job?
Adam: I was doing a live recording of Teddy Morgan and the Pistolas at the Court St. Grill in Pomeroy and Bernie and John Borchard were sitting in with the band. Bernie and I started talking about gear and recording techniques and a few weeks later he called and asked if I would like to help out with the Hot Point album and I have been there since.
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AMN: Do you have any formal training as a sound engineer? Or have you learnt by ear?
Adam: I went to the Recording Workshop and I have been the house engineer at the Court St. Grill since Mike Lindskold's departure.
AMN: How long did you take classes at the Recording Workshop?
Adam: I took the 5 week program plus the 3 week extension programs.
AMN: What did you think of the Recording Workshop? I know of some people who were thinking about taking classes, myself included. Do you think it was worth while?
Adam: I would definitely advise people interested in audio engineering to take the classes. They really prepare you for the studio environment without dragging out the process. And it is very affordable as well.
AMN: Cool. Now, about Peach Fork Studios. You guys have recorded some artists from other nations. Why do you think people from Ireland come to record at Peach Fork?
Adam: I think they respect Bernie's abilities as a folk producer/engineer and they know they can get high quality major label work for a fraction of what they would spend at other studios.
AMN: Do you think Bernie's history of creating music for traditional Irish Step Dancing helps?
Adam: Absolutely. His ability to understand the structure of the traditional Irish tunes allows him to be on the same page as the artists at all times making them more comfortable in the studio. And he has probably played the tunes with the House Band at one time or another.
AMN: The House Band? Is that his musical project?
Adam: One of many. They toured Europe this summer playing festivals and clubs and it features another Athens musician, Ged Foley.
AMN: What sort of music is the House Band? Is it Irish folk music?
Adam: Yes, it is traditional Irish Folk and I believe they do original compositions as well.
AMN: Are you in a band?
Adam: I am currently in two bands. I play guitar in Liquid Crystal which is an original modern rock band and I play bass in Phil 'n The Blanks which is an electric blues band.
AMN: Have any of your bands recorded at the Peach Fork Studio?
Adam: Liquid Crystal recently did a demo of our song "Just One of Those Days" that we have been giving away as a single and we are planning on starting an album sometime in January at Peach Fork Studios.
AMN: Well, now that we all know about you and Bernie's musical histories. Tell me a bit about the studio. How many tracks can you record? Digital, analog? Whatcha got there at Peach Fork?
Adam: We are currently all digital with thoughts of an analog 24 track in the future. We have 16 tracks of Tascam DA-88, 8 tracks of Alesis ADAT, and up to 64 tracks of hard disk recording to the RME Hammerfall 2496 soundcard. We use Magix Samplitude for digital editing and have numerous Waves, TC, Electronics and many more plug ins.
AMN: I noticed you had some keyboards for use at the studio by bands. Tell me a little about those.
Adam: Peach Fork is definitely a keyboard players fantasy land. We have a grand piano, a Wurlitzer electric piano, a Hammond A model organ (same as the B-3 but with a different cabinet), a Yamaha DX-7, a Kurzweil, and many analog modules.
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AMN: Tell me a little about the layout of the studio. Like howmany rooms there are etc.
Adam: We have a control room which has been acoustically treated to maximize the mixing environment. Then we have to isolated rooms that have been acoustically treated as well. One room is ideal for tracking drums and cutting vocals and the second room is for piano, guitar, etc. We can also convert the kitchen into another tracking room by mobile acoustical treatments if a band wishes to do the tracking all at once.
AMN: Do you think that Peach Fork studio's has a recording philosophy?
Adam: I feel our philosophy is no matter what genre of music you play we will do all we can to make it sound good. We take pride in having a diverse client list and we will take the steps necessary such as listening to similar artists for production ideas to give you a finished product that you are happy with.
AMN: Could you list some bands that have booked time at Peach Fork.
Adam: We have done projects with Patrick Street (Irish Folk), Bob fo ( Delta Blues), Hot Point String Band (Folk), Blitzkrieg (Hard Rock/Metal), Mud Fork Blues Band (Electric Blues), Keith Eleam (Contemporary Christian), Opus (Funk).
AMN: So what are your rates like? (almost done.. t ime for lunch)
Adam: We are currently charging a flat rate of $45/hour regardless of whether it is tracking, mixing, or mastering.
AMN: Is there a rate per day?
Adam: There is, but it is negotiable when you book the studio time in terms of how many days and what type of project it is. We are definitely interested in working with clients to make it affordable.
AMN: Any tips for musicians that want to record at Peach Fork? Is there anything they can do ahead of time to make things run smoother.
Adam: It is beneficial to artists to know exactly what they want to do. It definitely is an expensive rehearsal space. It's also a good idea to have new strings, and tuned drum heads before you arrive at the studio. Other than that remember to have fun.
AMN: One last batch of questions. I like to call this the speed round. Perhaps you've seen it on other AMN interviews?
AMN: I say a word or phrase.. You answer as quick as you can.
Adam: sure lets go for it
AMN: Audio Compression
Adam: tricky subject. Lets turn everything down
AMN: Dogs or Cats
Adam: DOGS
AMN: "Lets Car Pool" or "Get your own damn car!"
Adam: Car pool, save the environment.
AMN: What was the best concert that you attended in the last year (National or local)
Adam: Counting Crows in C'bus but second place would have to be Planet 12 at the Union
AMN: Whatever.
Adam: ha ha
AMN: Anyhow, thanks for missing lunch and chatting with me.
Adam: Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings and go see live music.
