SunGod Studios is the informal name Mills & Cockburn have used for 20 years to refer to their developing home recording facilities. The studio has evolved through many forms over the years and now spans 2 continents. Here is the history along with notes on the equipment used at each stage.
SunGod (1993 - 1996)
The original SunGod studio was a small windowless room in a house in Birmingham that Anthony converted into a studio with Steve's help. Walls were lined with polystyrene for sound proofing and a custom Plywood desk was built. The initial gear list was modest but functional:
Although modest, this collection of equipment served to launch Ant's recording activities and several notable songs were created with Steve's assistance
Later additions were a DOD 866 Series II, 2 Channel Gated Compressor Limiter and a Graphic Equalizer (used more for live activities than any recording).
SunGod was revolutionized by the addition of a midi sequencing rig synched to the Tascam when Andrew joined the team and brought his computer experience to bear. Coupled with a Roland U20, and using Voyetra for Midi Sequencing, the studio was now able to record up to 7 tracks of audio, and unlimited tracks of midi driven keyboards and drums, adding a new dimension to the musical production.
SunGod II (1996 - 1999)
An ambitious redesign of the entire studio saw the empty garage next to the existing room transformed into a recording room while the original studio became the control room, a window was created between the two rooms.
At the same time, a complete refit of the recording equipment ensued - SunGod went digital:
At around this time the Roland U20 was replaced with a Korg X3, and a pair of Congas and Bongoes was added, along with some upgraded microphones (the Congas feature in "Love of my Life").
The semi-professional nature of the equipment enabled Mills & Cockburn to start to realize more professional results, albeit with a initial steep learning curve coupled with incremental improvements in recording and engineering techniques over the lifetime of the equipment.
Later on, SunGod II was further upgraded with the addition of an SPL Vitalizer, an Akai S2000 sampler and a Digitech Vocalist Performer
SunGod (1993 - 1996)
The original SunGod studio was a small windowless room in a house in Birmingham that Anthony converted into a studio with Steve's help. Walls were lined with polystyrene for sound proofing and a custom Plywood desk was built. The initial gear list was modest but functional:
- Tascam Portastudio 424 (Cassette based, 8 tracks, questionable audio quality)
- Standard Cassette recorder for mastering
- Alesis SR-16 Drum machine
- Alesis Quadraverb GT guitar effects processor
- Various cheap dynamic microphones
- Small keyboard of unknown provenance
- Lexicon Alex Reverb Processor
Although modest, this collection of equipment served to launch Ant's recording activities and several notable songs were created with Steve's assistance
Later additions were a DOD 866 Series II, 2 Channel Gated Compressor Limiter and a Graphic Equalizer (used more for live activities than any recording).
SunGod was revolutionized by the addition of a midi sequencing rig synched to the Tascam when Andrew joined the team and brought his computer experience to bear. Coupled with a Roland U20, and using Voyetra for Midi Sequencing, the studio was now able to record up to 7 tracks of audio, and unlimited tracks of midi driven keyboards and drums, adding a new dimension to the musical production.
SunGod II (1996 - 1999)
An ambitious redesign of the entire studio saw the empty garage next to the existing room transformed into a recording room while the original studio became the control room, a window was created between the two rooms.
At the same time, a complete refit of the recording equipment ensued - SunGod went digital:
- Fostex D-80 Hard disk recorder (8 tracks, digital cut & paste)
- Upgraded handbuilt PC for sequencing
- Soundcraft Spirit Studio 24 mixing desk (24:8:2 tracking and mastering mixer)
- Akai ADAT recorder for mastering
- Spirit Absolute 2 Monitors
At around this time the Roland U20 was replaced with a Korg X3, and a pair of Congas and Bongoes was added, along with some upgraded microphones (the Congas feature in "Love of my Life").
The semi-professional nature of the equipment enabled Mills & Cockburn to start to realize more professional results, albeit with a initial steep learning curve coupled with incremental improvements in recording and engineering techniques over the lifetime of the equipment.
Later on, SunGod II was further upgraded with the addition of an SPL Vitalizer, an Akai S2000 sampler and a Digitech Vocalist Performer
SunGod III (1999 - 2001)
A move of house and ensuing lack of space forced SunGod to move to Hemel Hempstead where it was placed in a small bedroom with an adjoining live room. This was not a particularly productive time for the partnership and little was achieved in this configuration.
SunGod IV (2001 - 2005)
Eventually SunGod was relocated back to Birmingham where it enjoyed a larger room.
SunGod V/Va/SunGod Connecticut (2005 - present)
Meanwhile, Andrew had been planning a move to the USA. Since it was also time for a gear refresh, SunGod went entirely PC based. Selecting the powerful Reaper DAW along with computer interfaces and associated equipment, SunGod split into two. Sungod IV was refitted with the new technology to create SunGod V. Andrew built a prototype studio in Hemel Hempstead with the new gear pending the US move called Sungod Va.
A move of house and ensuing lack of space forced SunGod to move to Hemel Hempstead where it was placed in a small bedroom with an adjoining live room. This was not a particularly productive time for the partnership and little was achieved in this configuration.
SunGod IV (2001 - 2005)
Eventually SunGod was relocated back to Birmingham where it enjoyed a larger room.
SunGod V/Va/SunGod Connecticut (2005 - present)
Meanwhile, Andrew had been planning a move to the USA. Since it was also time for a gear refresh, SunGod went entirely PC based. Selecting the powerful Reaper DAW along with computer interfaces and associated equipment, SunGod split into two. Sungod IV was refitted with the new technology to create SunGod V. Andrew built a prototype studio in Hemel Hempstead with the new gear pending the US move called Sungod Va.
SunGod VI (2012)
Prompted by another house move, Sungod VI came into being in 2012, it was in the process of being soundproofed and fitted out when Anthony passed in 2013.
Prompted by another house move, Sungod VI came into being in 2012, it was in the process of being soundproofed and fitted out when Anthony passed in 2013.
SunGod Connecticut
In 2008, Ant assisted Andrew in building an entirely new studio in the basement of his home on the USA, in Connecticut. An entirely virtual recording process enabled some degree of cooperation over the internet, while also providing the potential for re-mixes of older tracks with much improved quality. The design and build process is documented in detail elsewhere on the site.
For a period of time Andrew used the facilities at SunGod Connecticut to record semi-professional voiceovers for GuitarMasterclass.net where he was also a guitar instructor.
Sungod Connecticut in 2007:
In 2008, Ant assisted Andrew in building an entirely new studio in the basement of his home on the USA, in Connecticut. An entirely virtual recording process enabled some degree of cooperation over the internet, while also providing the potential for re-mixes of older tracks with much improved quality. The design and build process is documented in detail elsewhere on the site.
For a period of time Andrew used the facilities at SunGod Connecticut to record semi-professional voiceovers for GuitarMasterclass.net where he was also a guitar instructor.
Sungod Connecticut in 2007:
By 2013, SunGod Connecticut had been upgraded with the addition of a Focusrite Sapphire Pro 24 Audio Interface (upgraded from earlier EMU-1212M)
At this time, SunGod Connecticut was capable of recording 16 channels simultaneously, and had 16 outputs for monitoring, reamping and headphones, as well as practically unlimited channels available for mixdown thanks to the wonders of DAW technology - a far cry from the early cassette based systems we started with!
Sungod Connedcticut in 2013:
At this time, SunGod Connecticut was capable of recording 16 channels simultaneously, and had 16 outputs for monitoring, reamping and headphones, as well as practically unlimited channels available for mixdown thanks to the wonders of DAW technology - a far cry from the early cassette based systems we started with!
Sungod Connedcticut in 2013:
Some of the amplifiers in Sungod ConnecticutL
In 2017, the recording interface and outboard analog gear, patch panels and analog snake were all replaced by a Behringer X32 Compact digital mixer and and 16x8 Digital stage box.. This simplified the wiring of the studio considerably and resulted in a much tidier look, as well as many fewer problems with analog connections and patch panels as well as a simplified gain structure.
With those items hooked up, SunGod can now record 40 channels of audio simultaneously as well as output to 22 separate outputs if required, and make use of the onboard digital effects rack to eliminate the need for outbound equipment such as reverb units and noisegates.
Current list of equipment is as follows:
Sungod Connectiocut in 2017 after the refit:
With those items hooked up, SunGod can now record 40 channels of audio simultaneously as well as output to 22 separate outputs if required, and make use of the onboard digital effects rack to eliminate the need for outbound equipment such as reverb units and noisegates.
Current list of equipment is as follows:
- Adam A7 Monitors
- A selection of microphones: Rode NT-1A, Rode K2 tube, SM57, SM58
- Line 6 Helix
- M-Audio ProKeys 88 Master Midi Keyboard
- Reaper DAW
- Many soft-synths, and effects processors
- Many Electric guitars and tube amplifiers (some home made)
- Triple computer monitors
- Behringer X32 Compact Digital Mixer
- Behringer SD16 Digital Stage Box
Sungod Connectiocut in 2017 after the refit: