[Peter]

North East Performer February 2008 Issue

Static Productions did not begin with the intention of becoming a full-fledged studio, but rather a way for owner/Cheif Engineer Peter LaGrasse to record his own music. Having written and recorded his freinds and with various bands throughout the 90's, the birth of Static Productions in 2000 allowed his services to extend further into the New England Music community. Static Productions, based in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, is now entertaining it's eighth year and has made a name for itself as a place for local and independent artists to record and leave with a top quality product and experience.

"Overall, Its about rock," explains LaGrasse. Static Productions is a genre-specific studio, whose roster of artists (including Burned In Effigy, Train Of Thought, Something For Nothing) spans the punk-hardcore-metal spectrum. "The music drives me to make a great production. I have to like what I'm working with, so for me, metal, hardcore and other rock projects make that happen."

The studio offers recording, mixing and production, as well as in-house mastering for the economic-minded artist. LaGrasse, believing that mastering is an essential part of the recording process, attends all out side mastering sessions with the bands until the final project is finished. Of course, a studios core is made up of quality gear just as much as quality service. Static primarily employs API mic pre's, Apogee AD/DA converters through Apogee's Symphony system, and Logic Pro with a quad-Core Mac Pro. "I happen to use Logic; it;s what I grew up with and have used for the past 10 years. Software is dispensable, good ho-end hardware is not." explains LaGrasse.

LaGrasse also uses a fair amount of post-processing and EQ, though only when necessary. " I just do what sounds good to my ears. You can't be afraid to carve out a sound if needed." And it is this decisive, "just do it" mentality that many bands seek in an engineer/producer. LaGrasse involves himself in the creative process to varying degrees, depending upon and how defined their sound is. " I like to have as much input as bands will allow without stepping on toes. The younger bands need to be molded a bit more so I usually have much more creative input with them."

As much as LaGrasse is focused on achieving a great sound, Static Productions also wants to promote a relationship with artist that is both solid and relaxed. "It's extremely important that any band/musician believe in and trust the work of their engineer/producer. We all need to feel comfortable in order to create something great. Just give me what you expect me to give you, 100%."