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Q Division Studios

Making great sounding records in comfort and style in Boston's best recording studio

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News

Our Big News

We have a rather big announcement; after roughly TWO decades at our Davis Square location, we're getting ready for another big move. That's right - we'll be closing the doors on our Highland Ave home this coming summer and opening them at our new digs at nearby Rindge Ave in Cambridge.

It seems like we just re-opened Studio B and reshuffled the office and bathrooms. At the time we signed a 5 year lease, and this summer it will be up... The pandemic throws a wrench - into everything, of course - and it also affected our relocation, but we're persevering and ironing out the details of our next location. We can't wait to share the new space with folks. We're leaving two great rooms, but we're taking incredible memories and some great music with us, looking forward to sharing our next adventure with you all.

In the meanwhile - we're still here and open for recording and mixing - drop us a line and get in touch!

FAQ

Q: Wait, what's that now?
A: Yup. We're moving!
Q: Didn't you just move?
A: Well, we did and we didn't. Studio B, the bathrooms, and our office space moved. 
Q: So why are you moving again?
A: We knew our time at 363 Highland Ave was limited; the new landlords have other plans for the space. 
Q: Where are you moving? 
A: We're moving about 3500' (as the crow flies) away! Our new location will be on nearby Rindge Ave in Cambridge. 
Q: When?
A: We're leaving our current location by July of 2021.
Q: Can I still book time at Q Division?
A: Yes, please! Although of course we have new protocols. Call us up to discuss. 
Q: When will the new studio open? 
A: Uhhh. We're working out the details, but it's hard to answer this question concretely! We'll keep both studios operating for as long as possible while building out the new space. And we'll share news of our progress as we go.
Q: What's going to be in the new studio? 
A: Lots of the same things you're used to seeing and using now, but in new spaces!
Q: Hey, that reminds me - I left my _____ there - what should I do about that?
A: Come pick it up! Seriously. we are cleaning out stuff. and if that stuff is tapes and you want us to transfer it for you, now's the time to ask.


Update 6.24

Hi Everyone!

We've been cautiously optimistic about the Covid-19 news in Massachusetts over these last few weeks. Governor Charlie Baker has announced the beginning of “the second step of phase 2”. For most people, that means indoor dining, and at Q division we are starting to book sessions involving more than one person recording. That doesn't mean we’re back fully, but it means we can host more folks than we have.

What sessions can we book, EXACTLY?

While we’d like to give clear yes/no guidelines, the reality is that it has to be a conversation. The first principle is that everyone involved needs to feel comfortable with the session. We'd probably feel comfortable with a trio where the members have been isolating together, and not comfortable with a 12 piece live band with horns and singers (no masks) where people are flying in from around the country. We'll save the specifics for later, but it's going to involve all the (now) usual things- Screening, masks, distance, hand washing... The goal here is to create a good creative situation where everyone feels safe and knows what to expect.

So with that in mind- give us a call when you're ready to work.


Update 5.18.20

Hello, welcome to the much anticipated "opening up day". Governor Baker has laid out a plan with phases- "Recording Studio" isn't one of the named categories of business (they have a lot on their minds), so we're following the "office" guideline, and we've been working on our own "phased opening" plan for a while. (Hey we're audio engineers; we are very good with phase.) Currently we are in "phase one" in which engineer-only sessions are possible- Mixing, transfers, re-amping. However, we are now booking "phase two" sessions where there is one engineer and one artist/ client: solo piano, overdubs, remote sessions to have a session musician play on your record... There will be rules of course, but in general one good thing about recording studios is that there is really good isolation between the control room and the studio. For groups larger than that- let's talk. We're not booking those yet, but we're working on it.


Quaran-amping!

Starting this week, we're offering remote access to Q's collection of pedals, amps, analog tape, plate reverb, Neve console, tube compressors and more. Just as we've been doing for decades, we want to help your tracks sound their absolute best - but, this time around, since we can't invite you physically to Q, we're invite your tracks for a visit... Let us re-amp, compress, print to tape or whatever it is that your songs need. Check out our TOYS and the various gear pages - Studio A & Studio B for ideas.

Treatments will be done in Studio A, with easy access to the 1/2" ATR, the 2" Studer, the 1/4" Studer, all our other tape delays, and of course, our Neve console. If folks want to access gear that's normally racked up in Studio B it will also be available for processing - not to mention our collection of vintage and contemporary amps, cabs, and pedals...! Maybe you've recorded drums in your bedroom and want them to sound like they're in a live room? We can pump your drums into Studio A's live room and record them through our U67's, the Neve and a pair of tube compressors.
To make this all work smoothly, we'll send you a high quality audio feed so that you can stay as hands/ears on during the process.

And of course, now is a great time to transfer all your old media... We can handle 2", 1/2", 1/4" and ADAT transfers, and we can bake your analog tape if they need it.

And, while not strictly in the "analog" domain, we're also happy to tune and tweak tracks till the cows come home. Drop Ed a line (we're offering special "quarantine" rates) and let us know how we can turn your quarantine tracks up to 11.


Q Division & Covid19

We wanted to check in and let everyone know that we're still here!

We ARE laying low for the time being - keeping everyone safe, but  planning for the future - one that includes us all working in person.

For now we're doing much needed maintenance, transferring and archiving analog tapes, and soon we hope to make our vast collection of amps, mics, preamps, tube compressors, pedals, and general toys available to folks who want re-amping and mixing services.

Drop us a line if this sounds like something that interests you.

We'd also love your help - if you don't see a project you worked on at Q on our website, let us know, and we'll remedy the situation! And you can even visit our collaborative Spotify playlist and add your album, and help us keep track of all the incredible albums made here.

We can't wait to get back to hearing and seeing you all in person. Feel free to drop us a line and let us know how you're doing!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28amlrnBmDwo3hBreR0Fpm?si=jwkgqGaMQCuKBduYm09xIA


Spring 2020 Update

Dear friends!

While we’re all waiting to see each other in person again, we’ve turned our gaze to our tape vault. Q Division, having been around for over 30 years, still has a massive analog tape library. If you’ve visited us in the last 4 years, you’ve seen it (in our previous layout the tape vault was much harder to find). The thing is, it belongs to some of you, but we might have lost track of you over the years. We’d love to reunite you with your analog tapes, and we’d be happy to archive them in the process. Get in touch!

There’s another way we can all connect in this time of distancing - help us fill in the holes in our discographies and artist lists.

How can you help?

If you, or an artist you know, has worked on projects at Q and you can’t find it on our list, remind us what we’ve missed! We’d love specifics - album or EP/singles titles, years, engineers, producers, musicians, record label (if any), how the material was released. Mention anything really - great food? Amazingly long waits for the bathroom? Give us links - videos, articles, reviews, whatever you have - we’ll take it.

If you’re interested, write and submit an article or review of a project and we’ll integrate it into our website. You needn’t have worked on the album - maybe you love it and want to share some of your knowledge and affection of it with us.

If you don't want to write or get in touch, you could add albums to a crowdsource playlist on Spotify - it's a collaborative playlist, so all you have to do is "like" it, and then add your music to the playlist.
It's here:


Winter 2020

The Blonder Tongue Audio Baton
The glorious Blonder Tongue Audio Baton - we aren't updating it

Hey friends!
We’re renovating  the website, and some things might be a little out of whack. Let us know if you find any mistakes or issues!


Spring 2016

As Q Division starts its 30th year, we are getting ready for our first major overhaul in the 16 years we’ve been in Davis Square. While we’re bidding a fond farewell to our Studio B and our current offices as part of our new landlord’s reconfiguration of the building, we’re also looking forward to renovating and expanding our existing Studio D to replace and improve on it. The new studio will feature an upgraded Pro Tools HDX system, enhanced mixing and mastering capabilities and a brand new control room designed by Lou Clark, of Sonic-Space. We are also planning some major equipment improvements and increased booking flexibility in the new studio to meet the needs of different projects. Studio A, our Neve 8068 room, will remain open throughout the renovations, and we will continue booking sessions in Studio D as long as possible. Right now things are a bit chaotic with the move and the construction but we are still open for business – and we’ll have an announcement soon about the configuration and design of the new studio. As part of the move we’re clearing out the tape vault. If you recorded here in the past, and think you might have left tape, now’s the time to claim it. Check qdivisionstudios.com and www.facebook.com/Qdivisionstudios for updates, and stay tuned!

Server room looking sad.


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qdivisionstudios

The new release from Paper Citizen is out! Repos The new release from Paper Citizen is out! 

Repost from @colindrumskinda
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@papercitizen’s new single Wandering Gohst, out today 👾 Claire’s songwriting for me is so beautiful, and so unique because it never goes where you think it’s going to go. This record we wanted to keep simple, because that’s all Claire’s songs needed: big drums by @seanbrownbike, thick guitars, @connorfrawley with some of my favorite bass licks, and of course Claire’s shining vocal right on top. Okay and maybe a few synths just for fun 🎹 🎛 I’m so proud of this track and the team: produced by myself, Claire, and @ainjelemme, mixed by @athnony, mastered by @demifuguemastering, recorded at @qdivisionstudios. Link in @papercitizen bio, check it 💣
Hey folks! We’re hosting a benefit livestream fo Hey folks! We’re hosting a benefit livestream for our friends down the street at @parts_and_crafts - a maker space and homeschooling center. Folks from all over are contributing performances, and P&C duo VerVer are hosting... 
link in bio! Airtime is 4 pm!

Repost from @mr.distorter
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Part 2/3:
So this is a sneak peak at 3 of 11 or so of the artists who are performing at the livestream. The performances are pre taped, but it’ll be hosted by a dynamic duo known as VerVer - P&C’s finest!
This clip features my own duo FauxMenco, Margaret Garrett and Gregg Porter of Stone and Stars, and Andrew Stern.

The livestream will feature many more dear friends and folks from all over the P&C universe, including Cath and Phil Tyler, John Callaghan, Chris Colbourn of @buffalotomband, @melissaferrick, @bobbradshaw123, Emma and Chris Forkey, @mattandshannonheaton, and Jesse sterling harrison fiction and music! 

Parts and Crafts is the homeschooling center my boy Max was attending until Covid 19 put an end to face to face hanging. It's a really cool organization that has done a great job adapting to online learning - and they want to reopen stronger and better. Their camp and after school programs serve Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, and folks even further out took advantage of their Center for Semi Conducted Learning, which was the program Max was involved in. 

Link in Bio to donate #heartsandcrafts
Still rocking with @billjanovitz live from studio Still rocking with  @billjanovitz live from studio A!
Only minutes away from @billjanovitz live from stu Only minutes away from @billjanovitz live from studio A! Link in bio. 

With @jbmoney33 @mr.distorter @meganchasemusic!
We’re psyched to have Bill Janovitz roll into st We’re psyched to have Bill Janovitz roll into studio A this afternoon for a livestream that should include drink mixing in addition to song singing...!
Check out the outstanding poster that Nicole Anguish put together for the show! 

Link in bio 

Repost from @daykampcreative
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Tune in today at 4:30 EST to see and hear @billjanovitz live from @qdivisionstudios AND I'm now taking orders for this SIGNED (by Bill!) poster until 8pm EST tonight. Get yer order in now at www.daykamp.com

#billjanovitz #buffalotom #qdivision #happyhour #graphicdesign #gigposterdesign #gigposters #posterdesign #musicposter #music #posterart #poster #illustration #adobeillustrators #illustratorsforhire #illustratorsoninstagram #vector #vectorart #visforvector #designinspiration #art #artistsforhire #dribbble #supplyanddesign #daykamp #graphicdesigncentral #instaart
Some number of years ago these dudes flew in from Some number of years ago these dudes flew in from Spain, I think, and spent a week or so locked up in (old) studio B with Ed and Matt Beaudoin and made this intense album together- it’s still out there sounding kick ass. We even have copies of it for sale at Q- just hit Ed up and he’ll hook you up. 

Repost from @discosparaelcamino
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Ha pasado más de una década del lanzamiento del segundo disco de una banda madrileña a la que echamos mucho en falta. Hablamos de la obra que llevó a The Right Ons a cruzar el charco para ponerse a las órdenes del productor Ed Valauskas, responsable del incontestable "Roll with it" de Eli Paperboy Reed.
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Para la ocasión hemos reunido a todos los integrantes del combo que mezclaba con destreza rock, funk y soul. Cada uno de ellos nos cuenta lo que supuso este disco grabado en Boston en 2009, justo cuando estaban en lo más alto y muchos la consideraban una de las bandas más prometedoras del panorama nacional.
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https://linktr.ee/discosparaelcamino
I don’t usually bother people while they’re wo I don’t usually bother people while they’re working on albums, so I really enjoy these glimpses into “the making processes” from folks. Something about the way we all see the same things differently - doubly so for sounds - the same drums in the same room can sound like an infinite number of things.. 

Repost from @r.m.hendrix
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Morning Complaints
Drops tomorrow
Sound on!

#behindthescenes #behindthemusic #makingof #musicvideo #indiemusic #lofimusic #rmhendrix #morningcomplaints #bostonmusic #bostonmusicians #shoegaze #dreampop
Ok- so Paper Citizen’s new release kicks ass! Q’s @colindrumskinda is a member of the band, @seanbrownbike played drums and must be an honorary member, and CG is an honorary Q engineer (when she’s in town) - look, she’s even rocking a patch in the video! Totes bad ass. (Catching up with reposting - so stuff is out of time..)

Repost from @papercitizen
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Scratching The Surface is out tomorrow. Inspired by Metric, Garbage and Queens of The Stone Age, my heart’s gonna explode bringing this bop into your lives. Don’t forget to hit that pre-save link. Wishing you a healthy and prosperous day
We love vinyl and we love what the @ga20band has b We love vinyl and we love what the @ga20band has been up to! 

Repost from @sam_conway_collie
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A modern blues masterpiece from the ladies and gents at Colemine Records!🎸 
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“Lonely Soul” - GA-20 on limited edition translucent red colored vinyl!🌹
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Released October 18, 2019, on Colemine & Karma Chief Records, this retro-blues work of art features the hit singles “Naggin’ On My Mind” and “One Night Man.”⚡️
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This limited edition variant of the album is limited to 1500 copies worldwide!🌎
Ok folks - I (@mr.distorter) upgraded my phone rec Ok folks - I (@mr.distorter) upgraded my phone recently and can repost again... strap in, there’s been lots of action to catch up with ..

Repost from @colindrumskinda
•
As @challymikes would say, we workin’, but we not at work 🎛 Spent the last 3 days “working” with my favorite crew: Chally on drums, @mitchytime251 on keys, #kylemiles on bass, and @feri_bong in the control room with me. Used all 32 channels of this Neve 8068, just about every ribbon mic in the house (RX77’s on overheads though 🤯), 2 kick drums, 4 snare drums tracking basics on 7 songs. Next up, piano solos 🛸
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