Music Production
Recording, Engineering, Mixing, Mastering
The creative vision of your next record is uniquely yours.
Alton Audio brings a holistic listening ear throughout the process of every musical collaboration, from deeply understanding your vision, to helping you develop and refine your sound from start to finish.
What We Do
Whether you are looking for a creative partner to record in a cabin in the woods with you for two weeks, or someone to do the final master of a project you’ve already been working on, we will bring a supportive attitude and expertise to create the custom-tailored approach that brings your artistic vision to life and communicates your story.
Our Approach
We believe that the most powerful records are driven by honest human connection, imperfections and all. Throughout the collaborative process, we strive to strike just the right balance that brings your unique sound out into the light and connects with your listeners on a rich human level.
We value creating meaningful creative connections with artists to produce music that really resonates with listeners, and commit significant time and creative energy to every musical collaboration we take on.
Areas of Expertise
We have worked on a variety of projects, from solo artists in a studio to a full choir in a cathedral, and will work with you to determine the best location, technology, gear, and overall approach to achieve the sound you want.
Songwriting / Arranging: Save time in the studio by developing musical ideas in advance together.
Additional instruments: Jay’s experience as a musician means that he can fill out your sound with a variety of instruments as needed.
Vocal coaching: We can provide support in vocal technique and guide your practice in advance of the recording to ensure that your singing truly shines and delivers the soul of your story.
Location & Gear planning: We will work with you to determine the best location for your recording, as well as the best equipment to capture your sound to your taste. On location / in the studio, analog / digital, live performance / isolated instruments--whatever is the right fit for your project.
Recording: We capture your sound at the highest quality, with an approach guided by what will best support the true why of your music —whether that sound is acoustic, electric, loops, samples, or something else.
Mixing / Mastering: We believe that mixing and mastering goes much deeper than importing audio files and making a good mix, and we approach the conclusion of a project with the utmost care and attention to your vision.
We are available for projects in-person in the Columbus, OH area, travel nationwide, as well as virtual collaborations via Zoom/Audiomovers.
“We’ve worked with Jay on many projects over the years, and the reason we keep coming back to him is that he’s able to get the best from us (both as individuals and as a group) and guide a project toward its best outcome.
Jay is receptive to ideas while being able to serve as a filter when ideas become convoluted. And he does all this while seamlessly maintaining the highest level of technical skill. We fully entrust him with what is most dear to us, our songs.”
Past Projects
Dave Buker and the Historians
It Moves in the Dark
Alton Audio produced, recorded, and mixed from start to finish, including pre-production with collaboration on song arrangements. Mostly recorded in a large studio with a Neve analog console.
“... rich, well-structured electro-chamber pop, each track boasting rich arrangements and invigorated performances from Buker’s band.” — Columbus Alive
The Speedbumps
When the Darkness Comes
Alton Audio produced from start to finish, collaborating on songwriting and arrangements. Recorded in a cabin in Pennsylvania with a constructed portable recording studio, using recording techniques that bring out the organic sound of the room.
Doc Robinson
Break My Fall
Alton Audio provided support for the recording process, and was on lead for mixing. With a hybrid approach, the band captured their own overdubs at home, then Jay brought everything together into a unified sound.
Saintseneca
Paper Brigade
Alton Audio produced and recorded this debut album from Saintseneca. Recorded in a house using recording techniques to bring out the organic sound of the space, capturing the spirit of their vibrant live house-show performances.
“Simultaneously traditional and dynamic, the sound has won the band a loyal following along several recent DIY tours and within the city’s thriving house-show scene.” — Columbus Alive
The Floorwalkers
Kids, Are You Listening?
Alton Audio recorded, produced, and mixed from start to finish. Tracked to analog tape, this was largely recorded live with the musicians playing together in real time.
Yellow Paper Planes
Building a Building
Alton Audio recorded, produced, and mixed from start to finish, including close collaboration with the band to hone the songs during pre-production.
Mojoflo
Right On! (Back Around)
Recorded and mixed on analog tape, resulting in an intentional creative process throughout.
Fields and Planes
Deeper Than Before
Recorded, produced, and mixed by Jay, featuring a blend of electronic samples and acoustic instruments. Results in music that is is honest and intimate, while also feeling big, modern, and produced.
Hebdo
Keep ‘Em Tgthr
Heavily involved in the production process of this album from start to finish, from creating skeleton versions of songs, to reworking and developing, to ultimately tracking in the studio.
Other Artists We’ve Collaborated With
Alternative:
Doc Robinson
Dave Buker and the Historians
Hebdo
The Speedbumps
The Devil Doves
The Lost Revival
The Wet Darlings
Endless Branches
Threat Level Midnight
Six Gallery
Linden Hollow
Indie:
Fields and Planes
Yellow Paper Planes
The Spruce Campbells
Take No Damage
The Flotation Walls
Terribly Empty Pockets
Them Labs
The Nuclear Children
Songwriter:
Josh Krajcik
Matt Monta
Matt Munhall
Jesse Barr & the Midnight Stars
The Shaw Brothers
Jesse Henry
Matthew Morgan
Only In The Mornings
Indie Folk:
Saintseneca
Oliver Oak
The Salty Caramels
Couch Forts
Buckles and Boots
Bluegrass:
Hocking River String Band
Americana:
The Spikedrivers
Matt Monta & the Haymakers
Josh Fitzwater & The Shambles
Funk/Soul/Blues:
George Barrie Band
The Pleasant Tense
The Floorwalkers
Mojoflo
Ransom Band
Topher James & the Biscuit Brigade
Surf Rock
The Hypnotides
Reggae Rock:
Andy Shaw Band
Jazz:
Robert Mason Trio
Mark Flugge, piano
Andrew Hartman and Still Motion
Lisa Clark, voice
Jen Miller, voice
Josh Hill, guitar
Tony Monaco, organ
Classical:
Capital University Chapel Choir
Lisa Jelle, flute
Gahanna Lincoln Orchestra
Let’s Talk
Send us a note to get the conversation started about the vision for your next record.