Piper Dawes Music Production

21/07/2025

The first ever release on our new label drops this Friday. Joey's Knuckle - Love.
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I’ve had the absolute pleasure of mastering this track at Vibrations Studios - a raw, emotional tune from a band that puts everything into their music. Good friends and long term recording clients, Joey's Knuckle have become like family (they literally call Steve the studio manager and their mix engineer, "Dad" 😂) so it's only fitting they are the first on the roster.
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From mic check to final master, this one’s been real.

29/04/2025

14/04/2025

Recording drums is by far my favourite thing to track at Vibrations Studios

Currently offering deals on full day and half day tracking sessions - DM me.

11/04/2025

Don't know how many of you know but I started an 'aftercare' service for artists with upcoming releases. Through Vibrations Studios I'll help you with mixing and mastering, distributing your music to hundreds of online stores and streaming services, bid for premium and third party playlists, send your music to reviewers and bloggers.

As a social media manager in the music scene I'll also coach you on how to get your music heard on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

PM me if you'd like to know more

(photo for the algorithm)

27/01/2025

Spots are filling up for recording spring/summer releases. Get in touch.

22/01/2025

Struggling with Vocal Reverb? Here’s How I Fixed It.

While mixing a track for Project Charlie, I hit a wall with vocal reverb—nothing sounded right! Every option felt fake, messy, or got in the way of the vocal itself.

To solve it, I used:
✔ The Triple Reverb Pop Technique for custom depth and tone
✔ Sidechain Compression on Reverb to keep the vocal clear and upfront

The result? A dynamic vocal sound that shines without overpowering the mix.

In my latest blog, I break down these techniques and how they saved this mix. Check it out and let me know your favourite reverb tricks!

👉 Read the full article here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/piperdawes/p/reverb-acrobatics

Taming reverb with advanced techniques

20/01/2025

Looking to get Q1 booked up. If you're thinking of getting your track recorded, or want to spice up something half-finished, hmu and we'll make it shine

16/01/2025

The Stereo Widening Debate: Precision or Phase Issues?

Stereo wideners can transform your mix, adding depth and dimension—but they can also introduce phase problems that weaken mono playback. In my latest Substack blog, I dive into:

🔉 When to use stereo wideners (and when to avoid them)
🔉 Detailed insights on popular plugins like Polyverse Wider, Waves S1, Ozone Imager, SSL Fusion Stereo Image, and more
🔉 How subtle widening between verses and choruses can open up your mix without compromising clarity
🔉 I also discuss phase artefacts in fast transients and explain why some plugins handle them better than others.

If you're navigating stereo width in your mastering chain, read this: https://piperdawes.substack.com/p/open-wide-stereo-widening

What’s your favourite stereo widener, and have you ever had phase issues in mono playback?

14/01/2025

Some great bands and vegan food this Sat at the studio I work at. FREE ENTRY too! Come hang out with me thanks

THIS SATURDAY at VIBRATIONS STUDIOS, Lockwood Huddersfield: Live at Vibes is back!

🎙️ 3 amazing bands
🎙️ free entry
🎙️ vegan curry
🎙️ BYOB

MUSIC: Joeys Knuckle, Wadcutter Blues, Zero and the No No's

13/01/2025

Planning a Summer Release? Start Now.

January is the perfect time to set your band or artist project in motion for a summer launch. Here’s a quick roadmap:

January:

Lay out your creative goals.
Start drafting new songs and gather your best ideas.

February:

Refine your writing.
Book rehearsal time and begin testing songs in a live setting to see what resonates.

March:

Tighten up your performance. Get used to playing to click (if applicable - particularly drummers)
Finalise any tweaks to song structures and nail down the final tracklist. Learn eachothers' parts - it helps! Know your songs BACK TO FRONT!

April:

Hit the studio for recording.
Keep your schedule flexible to allow for multiple takes and production tweaks.

May:

Allow plenty of time for the engineers and producers to get the track finalised, mixed and mastered.

June:

Begin marketing and promotion.
Tease your release on social media, plan out ad campaigns, and line up digital/physical distribution.

July (Summer Launch):

Release your single, EP, or album.
Push hard with playlist pitching, live shows, and social media hype.

I can help you through every step—recording, mixing, mastering, plus aftercare services like digital distribution, playlist pushing, and social media consultancy. Message me for a quote and more info.

09/01/2025

It's your duty to put out an album in 2025. Do it for the UK!

2024’s charts told a painful truth: for the first time ever, no UK artist cracked the top 10. The warning signs were clear, but the industry ignored them, clinging to short-term profits and viral flukes instead of nurturing talent. Grassroots venues — our cultural petri dishes — are under siege, with nearly 200 on the brink of permanent closure, while those raking in millions look the other way. Yet, UK music’s global dominance was built on these foundations — from the Beatles to Adele, from Coldplay to Dua Lipa. Without them, the pipeline dries up, and we all lose. But change is coming. In 2025, a grassroots levy alongside the Liveline Fund will begin redirecting profits from arenas and streaming back to where the magic starts: small venues, local communities, real talent.

This is a battle for the future of UK music. It’s time to invest in the grassroots — to ensure every community has a door to step through into a world of musical possibilities. Let’s rebuild, reinvest, and reclaim what makes us great.

08/01/2025

The debate between analogue warmth and digital precision is as old as DAWs themselves. Analogue gear gives you rich character and harmonic distortion, while digital offers precision, speed, and flexibility.

In my latest blog, I break down the pros and cons of both, from the charm of vintage mixing desks to the convenience of digital workflows. I also dive into hybrid setups that let you have the best of both worlds.

Whether you're team analogue, team digital, or somewhere in between, this one’s for you!

Read the full post here: open.substack.com/pub/piperdawes/p/analogue-girl-in-a-digital-world