Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union selected Forge Recording’s Studio A as the set for a promotional video. As the narrator, midfielder Maurice Edu weaves an impassioned tale of his team’s journey, spirit and resolve. Go Union!
Bill Apter has had a long and storied career in the field of pro-wrestling. Since the 70s, Apter has been an influential voice for the sport, covering major events and forging professional and personal relationships with countless wrestlers, including Hulk Hogan, Triple H, and The Rock. Apter recounts these stories and life experiences in his colorful autobiography, Is Wrestling Fixed? I Didn’t Know It Was Broken!
After the printed version of the book became a hit in the wrestling community, Audible (the audio book division of Amazon), approached Apter about creating an audio version. Apter obliged, and chose Forge Recording as the studio to record the narration, in his own voice. The audio book has since become an Audible best seller. Congratulations Bill!
Forge Recording’s Brendan McGeehan traveled to Saint Anthony of Padua in Wilmington, DE, to record their pipe organ. The instrument is meticulously maintained by the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company, and in fact was tuned the morning of the session. Organist Louis Perazza performed 10 pieces for a forthcoming Christmas pipe organ album.
McGeehan used several microphones with varying stereo techniques to capture the all-encompassing organ sound, including a matched pair of Neumann U87s near the low frequency pipes, and a Blumlein configuration of AKG 414s in the “sweet spot” of the church. From here, lead engineer Ron DiSilvestro will mix and master the audio in preparation for the holiday release.
The breathtakingly beautiful church was built in 1924 in the “Romanesque revival” architectural style. With impressive acoustics, an excellently maintained instrument, a virtuostic performance, and top quality recording equipment, this project will surely create a long lasting tribute for St. Anthony’s and the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company.
In between tapings of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Bosch, saxophonist Grace Kelly visited Forge Recording to film an episode of Studio Jams.
The session was recorded in Studio A by lead engineer Ron DiSilvestro. Grace Kelly was joined by bassist Chico Huff, guitarist Kevin Hanson, keyboardist Matt King and Tracy Alexander on the drums.
Grace Kelly is an accomplished saxophone player, vocalist, composer, educator and performer. She recorded her first album, Dreaming, at age 12. It was followed by Times Too, Every Road I Walked, GracefulLee, Mood Changes, Man With The Hat, Grace, Live At Scullers, Working For The Dreamers, and her latest project, Trying To Figure It Out. She is a regular in Stay Human, the house band led by Jon Battiste on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Studio Jams is a creative, up-close and inside look at the art of making music. Click here to watch Studio Jams sessions filmed at Forge Recording.
Though Forge Recording is based in one specific location, one of the unique services we offer is our on-site recording opportunities. Immaculata University utilized our services to record their impressive digital organ playing their Alma Mater. Brendan McGeehan, our studio manager, and one of our interns traveled to Immaculata to record and mix the session. Essentially, we brought the studio to them. Forge offers location audio recording as well as location video recording.
Do you have a live gig or session you want recorded on-site? Check out our site to find out more about what we do and what we can offer you!
It all started in 1965 when Sheldon Jones’ Aunt gave him a 1917 Gibson L-3 guitar. Now, some 50 years later, he has released his first album entitled “Old Man.”
The album’s aesthetic is planted firmly in folk and roots music, with a few twists and turns, both humorous and serious. To make his dream a reality, Jones assembled a group of talented musicians, including members of Found Wandering. He calls this collective group “Loco Lobo.”
The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Forge Recording by lead engineer Ron DiSilvestro. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait another 50 years for album #2!
Check out the video for the title track “Old Man.”
We were first introduced to JaE as this year’s PHL Live Center Stage R&B winner. Forge Recording was the studio sponsor and Carvin Haggins judged the R&B category.
We then encountered JaE at the Mainline Mother’s Day event hosted by Ellen Smith (Will Smith’s sister), founder of Dining With Divas. JaE was the featured performer at the Black Tie Awards Gala and Forge Recording provided live sound and video for the event.
JaE recorded a new single “Faded Windows” with Forge Recording lead engineer Ron DiSilvestro, and has been back to Forge Recording several times for rehearsals.
At the same time JaE’s father, Lawrence “Junie” Drinks, was working at Forge Recording with producers Mike Anderson and singer/songwriter Janice McClain (Smack Dab In The Middle, Passion and Pain, Giving My Love) on a project for The Voice’s Matthew Schuler.
And, if that wasn’t enough, JaE’s cousin, Stanton Drinks, is a producer who works at Forge Recording for Carvin Haggins’ production company Ethical Music Entertainment.
It’s a small world after all!
Legendary Philly punk rockers, The Dead Milkmen (Punk Rock Girl, Bitchin’ Camaro) joined us in Studio A to track a new single. “The Coast is Not Clear” was penned by the Milkmen’s Joe Genaro and engineered by Bob Larson and Ron DiSilvestro, assisted by Sem Pierre. The session represents Bob’s final project in the Forge Recording 6-month intensive audio engineering program. Bob has been working with instructor Brendan McGeehan to learn all things audio, and was able to use his new skills to record the song. From here, Bob will finish the program by mixing and mastering the track under Brendan’s supervision.
 joined us in Studio A to track a new single. )
The Voice’s Nadjah Nicole held her CD release party at Forge Recording. The CD, Journey to Become Nadjah Nicole, was produced and recorded at Forge Recording by multi-platinum selling, award-winning producer Carvin Haggins.
For Nadjah Nicole the road from The Apollo Theater, to opening for Macy Gray, and being a finalist on NBC’s The Voice, was not all candy and “Bubblegum” (which happens to be the name of her first release from the CD and an enchanting video). If this CD is any indication, Nadjah Nicole is well on her way to becoming a powerful voice in the music industry.
Several photos courtesy of Robert L. Woodson, III @urbanperspectiv
Rock On Philly recently interviewed award winning producer and songwriter, Carvin Haggins, about his music and time here at Forge Recording.
Haggins decided to make Forge his home this past Fall, using the studio to write, produce, and engineer his music. He is the founder of Ethical Music Entertainment, which strives to produce music that is ethical and grounded in love, respect, and morality.
Haggins has collaborated with Forge Recording and lead engineer, Ron DiSilvestro, on a number of projects, including a concussion anthem rap with ESPN medical correspondent Dr. David Wang, music video shoot “#L2LU” for EME artist BriaMarie, and TaMyya J’s single “Champion.” We look forward to more collaborations with Carvin in the future and are honored he chose Forge as his new home base.
Click here to read Rock On Philly’s interview with Carvin Haggins.
