Don is playful and puts you at ease, extremely easy to work with. I have never seen anyone as efficient in a recording suite as Don is, he absolutely flies at the mixer. The studio is small and comfy. Don quickly found a bass tone which sounded way better than anything I have ever achieved at home. A treat to work with.
Don Farwell at Earwig was very highly recommended to me by a good friend who is also an incredibly talented musician. I am located in Europe, and I was meeting my bandmates in Seattle, which comes with a massive list of details and logistics all trying to coincide, which can make for a bit of a train wreck if not properly planned and handled. Needless to say, when the train wreck happened, Don was incredibly gracious and flexible, working 15 hour days with us in the studio to make up for a lost day.
As for the actual recording, I've never had a better experience, and I've been doing this for over 10 years, having recorded numerous albums with a variety of different bands. Don had many awesome instruments and amplifiers that he made available for us to use, and a lot of really great ideas that not only improved the way we sound, but it made the whole process move much quicker and efficiently. The drum sounds that he got with his house kit were beautiful as well. His editing process is extremely quick, and our tracks are still seamless. He has a great ear and understanding of our direction, and made mixing really fun. He incorporated everything that I wanted to hear in the final mix without sacrificing any of the tone or balance.
I never felt like he was trying to change what we were trying to do artistically/creatively at all. He presented his ideas very humbly, and was nice the numerous times he had to point out a mistake. He is also hilarious, having me doubled over in tears from laughter more than once.
So yea, in summary, the best engineer I've had the privilege to work with so far in my career, and at a reasonable price. I will, without a doubt, continue to work with Don and Earwig studio in the future.
Don is everything I ever wanted in a recording engineer: not just someone who knows how to capture every sound imaginable in a creative and precise way, but also a fantastic guy to sit around with for hours on end while you're making music. I can't wait to get back into Earwig and record with him again, and again.
Year of the Cobra recorded our debut EP here and it came out sounding amazing!! Don was SUPER easy to work with, very efficient, has a great ear and is very patient. The live room sounds amazing and has a cool vibe.The EP he recorded helped open a lot of doors for our band because it sounds so good - people are always commenting on how rad the tones are. Don rules!!
My band recently went into Earwig to record and we were blown away by how great whole the experience was. It was a really fun environment, we felt completely relaxed and comfortable. The equipment and the gear was incredible too. I've never had more fun or gotten a better sounding recording than at Earwig Studio. Can't recommend this place enough.
I am one of those mid-life busy Dad's who has always written songs and rarely "gotten them down." I had a brief moment where I had a bunch of material together and I was lucky enough to find Don. He did a fantastic job coaxing out the best of what I had. The recording is top notch and something I am very proud of. If you are like me and you have all these songs clunking around in your head, go find Don, sign up for a session and let a very nice professional help you preserve them. Best money I have ever spent.
Indie-folk singer-songwriters looking for a studio to make your songs shine in a brighter way than you could ever imagine, go to Earwig Studio! Don Farwell will work with you to produce your music in way that keeps true to who you are while lifting it up way beyond the next level. Don assembled legendary local musicians to record tracks for me, created a warm sense of community, and kept the process positive and efficient. When working with Don (and Jen) at Earwig, you will find the process itself is a transformative step in the journey towards being the artist you aspire to be. I now have an amazing album and my soul is intact, uncrushed, and ready to keep writing!
Excellent engineer, great mic collection. Super amazing custom amps!
I highly recommend working with Don at Earwig Studio! He really knows his technical stuff, but most importantly he knows how to bring out the best in an artist. He made us all feel at ease and confident throughout the entire recording process. I felt like Don was able to keep it fun (which I think music is supposed to be) while still effectively guiding us through the process. The end result: a recording I could not be more happy with!
Don's great. I've recorded three albums with him. For the first two we recorded fifty songs in about twenty days. His clear-sighted approach (and technical skill) made it possible to record quickly, but also gave us a chance to experiment. As a result he got a variety of great guitar tones and different vocal sounds to suit each song. For the third I wasn't even in the studio with him. Working with my 6-track files and instructions the whole thing was re-amped and mixed with a minimum of fuss. He always works very hard to make everything sound right. And because of his recording and mixing I have the albums I wanted.
I cannot say enough good things about Don and Earwig Studio!! The space is amazing and Don made my first time in a studio better than I could have ever expected. Thank you for helping bring my musical vision to life! I wouldn't change a thing.
I cannot say enough good things about Don and Earwig Studio. Great engineer, great space and a great environment. I had already tracked the major elements of my project in my home studio, but wanted to take it to the next level and get a more professional, well-rounded sound. I took it to Don, let him have a listen, told him what I wanted out of it and he went to work to turn my shabby recording into something I could be proud of. If you've already recorded a song, whether at a studio or in your home, and are looking to give it that professional polish that it lacks, I highly recommend taking your project to Don at Earwig and letting him work his Mixing Magic. You won't be disappointed.
Recording with Don feels like a spa weekend. He is extremely skilled at both the technical and interpersonal aspects of recording.
Earwig Studio was great! I was able to give my best performances in a relaxing and inspiring atmosphere. The room has a great energy and Don has a great knowledge/ears and was a pleasure to work with. I absolutely recommend recording here and can't wait to get back myself!
Love--to say we love earwig is like saying the sun is balmy. Can't wait to get back there to record more. Don--puts a lot of work into your project and it comes out sounding like gold!
Don's a total professional--he strikes the perfect balance between responding to your goals and making terrific suggestions when it's appropriate. I can't say enough about working with him; it's great to be in the studio when he's working his magic, combining his impeccable ear with his appreciation for all kinds of musical styles. You won't want to work with anyone else.
Last month the band in which I play had the great pleasure of working with Don Farwell at Earwig Studios. The entire experience was incredibly positive. Don has a way of bringing out the best, provides a relaxing atmosphere condusive to creativity, and has an awesome ear for mixing. The studio is well equipped and Don definitely knows his equipment. Bottom line: the entire band couldn't be happier with the product Don has crafted with us.
I could not recommend Earwig Studios enough and am looking forward to returning...hopefully later this year.
Talk about bang for your buck! You're not just recording in a world-class studio, but when you work with Don, you're recording with a world-class engineer. He's an outside-the-box thinker who'll not just capture your vision of your songs but bring his own creative ideas to your project. Worked on several projects at Earwig and I'm always blown away by the results (and usually those results are dripping in Space Echo.)
Earwig Studio has a great live room, tons of awesome gear, and a comfy control room. It's my favorite studio in Seattle, and the one that I keep going back to. Don is my favorite engineer that I've ever worked with. He's patient, talented, understanding, and a mind-reader. There have been so many times when I have said something like, "For this part of the song, I have an idea..." and before I can finish the though Don says "oh you mean like this?" and he cues up what he had already done, and it's exactly what I was thinking or better.
I always have tons of fun working with Don, and the music always turns out better than I had hoped it would.
I tried to give six stars but for some reason the max is five.
My 4-piece band recorded with Don Farwell at Earwig in February '12 and it was a fantastic experience. (Some of us had recorded with him before.) He's quick and efficient, but he's also creative and easy to work with. He "gets" what you're trying to do. We both recorded there (two straight days) and mixed there--Earwig isn't just someone's laptop hooked up to a mixing board, it's a real studio with real pro gear and a guy who knows how to get the best out of it. VERY highly recommended!
I have been playing bass since the fourth grade with friends, in bands, studios, and orchestras. I have carried along a small virtual-suitcase of songs in my head for my whole life. I had set up a small home studio with decent gear and put together small reference demos but never was happy with the quality, energy or the process. But I wanted to get my songs out of my head and onto media and didn t really have an idea where to go or how I could get what I wanted.
Then I met Don Farwell the engineer at Earwig Studios.
I met Don while doing some bass tracks for fellow artist Jeff Kanzler. I immediately liked Don and the sweet studio space. The equipment is a perfect mix of hands-on analog input, balanced with the best parts of digital recording and editing. I knew the experience was going to be more than just tracking- that I had found my place!
The first time a person walks into Earwig Studios is like putting on a comfortable after-dinner robe with matching mohair slippers and a warm snifter of Courvoisier- You are so welcomed- wrapped and coddled in musical Brother and Sisterhood!
Don had set up and skillfully miked a classic set of Ludwig drums at Earwig and was tracking another artist s project over a three week period using an amazing, talented young drummer in from Nashville. Don suggested that I should take advantage of an off night get some drum tracks. When I heard the full fidelity quality of the drum sound in the control room, I was shocked- this kid was epic- and I have played with some great ones!
Don has an amazing wealth of knowledge and technical skill. His ear is discerning, open and creative. He was so supportive and enthusiastic during the tracking of my music and constantly offered really thoughtful suggestions and pathways. There was a bit of Mad Scientist in-fluxing as well- and that made me stop and listen, disagree, re-assess or move straight ahead. All of it was such a blast.
When it came time for final mixdown, Dons diverse skills at the board, the beautiful peripheral gear and his sonic perception of the nuances in the songs floored me. Everything sounds SOOO good. He completely turned my meager demo-ing project into a full-blown CD that has my musician friends singing my songs in the shower! Hah!
Earwig Studios is an oasis in the wilderness where they really get it.
You get to taste the music you make!
Earwig studios is a delight to work at! Don dialed everything in promptly & had a great ear for what we were trying to accomplish. Thanks again, Don!
Ahh, the romantic notion of bringing your songs to life in a professional studio... The thought of it unearths a grand beam of excitement, but a lengthy list of concern as well: What will the room sound like? Will I be comfortable there? Will the engineer GET my vision?
Mr. Don Farwell definitely gets the vision, has a demeanor that will put anybody at ease, and has curated an unbelievably pleasant place to work in Earwig Studio.
Dude moves like a Zen master, and like us, speaks fluent metaphor; which is what you want! The ability to be incredibly efficient about finding not just an acceptable sound, but THE RIGHT sound, is also an admirable and much appreciated aspect of his skill set.
There are Great Engineers, Pro Tools Wizards, Able Producers, Witty Musicians, and Super Nice Guys.... This place has it all!
P.S. he even made us Spaghetti
There's two things that are very important to know about Earwig Studio:
1. It's a hell of a fun time. This means that everyone is feeling extra comfortable, which leads to better performances. Don has more than a knack for making you feel like a rock star and a member of his family simultaneously.
2. The end product is amazing. I've had other producers hear what we've recorded with Don and ask where we worked to make it sound so fantastic.
Work with Don Farwell.
I recently had the pleasure of spending many hours at Earwig studios. The studio has a great selection of amps, guitars, mics, keyboards, and gear, but Earwig's biggest asset is Don Farwell. Don is incredibly easy to work with. He's very patient and is good at eliminating musicians' frustrations. He's intuitive and always thinking three steps ahead. Several times I'd ask him "why don't you try this..." and he'd already have done whatever I was thinking of. Don repeatedly came up with creative solutions when I ran into trouble. And he's a great tambourine player! I can't say enough about Don and Earwig. I'm looking forward to going back to record.
First and foremost we were looking for someplace comfortable, where we'd feel relaxed to do our best and mostly have fun. The combination of the intimate and homey studio space and Don's easy going attitude was perfect. In addition, his expertise with Protools was astonishing. Throw in an awesome collection of vintage amps and keyboards and you've got a real winner. Can't wait to work there again.
If you see anything less than 5 stars in these reviews then you have to assume that that person is crazy. Don popped my studio recording cherry and he brought candles and lube. This was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life and Don (and Jen) helped make it that way.
If there was something that was needed in a song or that I was unsure of Don almost seemed like he was waiting to hear that with the amount of ideas he had to help. Even trying things like different amp/guitar combinations (which might seem simple but easily forgotten). On top of all these ideas he knows when it's time to get down to business and stop experimenting. He is always looking out for you (and your budget). No matter what style of music you play he's going to make you sound good and more importantly sound like YOU.
If this isn't your first time doing this like me, you'll definitely feel the same excitement working with Don. It was a true pleasure to have recorded at Earwig. I can't think of another place that would bring this kind of professionalism and experience.
Don is a rare gem in the music world: the friendly badass. The environment at Earwig is warm and welcoming, and Don is a master behind the desk. He works with speed and confidence. Working with him was a pleasure; he's laser-focused, attentive, patient and somehow keeps track of every little idea you might have when listening back to a take. He even reminded us to take a break to eat, which is easier to forget when recording than you might expect. :)
The studio itself is good vibes, from the Twin Peaks entryway to the live room to the mixing desk. Being there feels like you're in on a secret. Don had us all play live together in the same room (with amps in isolated rooms), and being able to vibe off of each other was such a good idea. You can hear the excitement on the tracks. Also, drummers: Don speaks drum. You can talk about the sounds in your head and he gets it. If you've experienced the opposite you'll know how dope that is. The drums already sounded great even just listening back to bare-bones tracks while going over takes. He knows what's up.
I plan to go to Earwig for any sessions where I'm choosing the studio and I'm looking forward to the next time I get to hang out there. Can't recommend it enough.
I have recorded and mixed two LPs and and a couple extra songs with Don at Earwig. It's a very wonderful experience. Don has a great ear and always has great suggestions. He knows what he's doing and the results speak for themselves. I can't wait to record with him again.
Don's Earwig Studios is a great place to record. Mr. Farwell knows his board, mics, and outboard gear so thoroughly that he can capture a band slinging notes and chords in all its glory in the time most studios take to get a snare drum sound. I was knocked out by his work ethic, devastating sense of humor, and ears. Get in there soon before he gets called up to The Show!
What can I say, searching for a studio and engineer that you can gel with can be difficult. Don Farwell brings all the qualities an artist wants to the table--skill, professionalism, great ideas, and a welcoming attitude that puts you right at ease. Don will not only help you make great-sounding records, he'll make sure you are enjoying yourself every step of the way. Just contact Earwig and you'll see for yourself. I'll be going back!
I always look forward to sessions at Earwig. Don is super awesome to work with and the studio itself has a vibe that gets my creative juices flowing! Oh.. and.. THAT LOBBY.
My experience at Earwig was fantastic. Like a lot of musicians these days, we were working with a tight budget and Don really impressed me by having all of the mics, amps, headphone mixes, coffee, etc. up and ready to go the moment we walked in. This saved us a ton of time and really helped create a seamless workflow. That really set the tone for our experience and Don was absolutely rock steady throughout. I have been home recording in Pro Tools for years and it is still a little strange for me to go into a professional studio but Earwig has such an easygoing, welcoming vibe that it is easy to get comfortable and concentrate on making music.
I would highly recommend Earwig and will be returning myself in the future.
Don is professional,knowledgeable, and calm. The vibe when you are recording is everything. I recommend Earwig Studio if you are ready to record professionally. It was a pleasure.
Don is sharp as a tack, he knew what we were going for and how to make it happen, he knows his equipment well and kept us moving at the right pace. A true wizard.
I have recorded multiple times at Earwig and I could not have imagined a better experience. Don is not only a highly skilled engineer, but he is an amazing producer, incredibly professional, and one of the kindest people you will ever meet. Our band immediately felt comfortable in the studio and Don pushed us to make our songs even better than we had hoped. I love Earwig Studios and we are booked to be back here in September for a new EP. Record here, you won't regret it!
Don is a master! We had a very limited budget, and had only 2 days to record a 5 song EP. Don kept everything moving without making us feel the least bit rushed. He was able to get all 5 songs recorded and mixed, while still creating a sound that was exactly what we were going for. Not only that, but he's a great guy! The atmosphere was totally relaxed and fun. We have no doubt when we record again, it'll be with Don.
I recorded basic tracks on my record at Avast then spent the greater part of a year overdubbing and fine tuning it on my own at a friends studio. Then another friend asked me to play bass on his record which he was recording at Earwig. Then I met Don. Our eyes met, Frank Sinatra's "As time goes by" from Casablanca started playing out of no where and I got all kinds of good vibes and warm fuzzies. He was quick, efficient and kept things moving while listening to everyone's ideas and applying what worked best. I decided to have Don mix my record and the experience was great. I loved that he uses predominantly analog equipment and his creative spirit is always present. He would often hear little things which would spark an idea and then we'd try them out. Those ideas and the cumulative result was that the record took on a different shape with a more refined and dynamic sound. I also learned valuable studio slang and lingo like "goose" and "squeeze". Don also does a myriad of cartoon voices. That's right I'll be back, they always come back...
Don's a true pro at recording and mixing. He's not afraid to work hard and put in the extra time needed to make your project sound great. We'll definitely be using Earwig again in the future.
There aren't enough stars to register how happy we were with our session with Don at Earwig Studios. We were all neophytes at recording and Don provide great direction and guidance throughout. The whole experience was super fun and we ended up with 10 songs recorded and mixed down. As my friend said when I shared a sample "Dude, the recoding studio did you right". Couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks MegaloDon! You are the man!
I had the opportunity to mix with Don at Earwig. Really enjoyed working with him and was very satisfied with the mix we received. Excellent! ... Gary King
Don Farwell is my hero: a superb engineer. A mix master of uncanny ability. A kind soul (but never a pushover). A terrific creative collaborator. And highly skilled at keeping bands from getting in their own way. The Civilians and I are in the middle of making our second album with Don and I hope we'll continue to work with him for years to come.
Completely blown away by the Creative and Conducive atmosphere at Earwig. Don was and is great and a real pro at the recording and mixing process. You will not regret choosing them for your next project.
I have recorded two sessions with Don. Earwig is a very comfortable fun place to record. Don gets great tones going in & even better tones when it's mixing time. His editing is at warp speed. Great selection of Mics & the rest of their gear is top notch.
The NW has plenty of good places to record at. Go to Earwig & get a great sounding recording!
I will always return to record at Earwig!
I HIGHLY recommend recording here if you have a song or album in the works. Dom is super talented behind the mixer and he listens and coordinates with you on how you want your sound and song to be. He has many years of experience and is a professional at what he does. if you have any ideas or comments jus tell him and he is open to try new things and gives you tips or works around any trouble on your sound. and his studio room is AMAZING!!!! 5 stars from me. p.s He also has album credits!!!
Great studio. Friendly and professional with an amazing ear.
leap of faith no more ... don has delivered on the mysterious process of making recordings. we booked a day and brought in drums/bass recordings from the Imperial Room to see what would happen. once ensconced in his environment we immediately felt comfortable and got to it. his abilities as a translator for our vision was inspiring and the results blew us away. vibe, gear, and all around talent personify an amazing place to work.
