Upgraded immersive mix room features Focal Alpha 50 Evo monitors and Sub One subwoofers
Brooklyn-based, independent mixing and mastering engineer Nick “Squids” Squillante has expanded his mix room for Dolby® Atmos™ 9.1.4 immersive music. The studio features an all-Focal lineup of Alpha 50 Evo monitors for LCR, surround, and height speakers along with dual Focal Sub One subwoofers. Recent immersive mixes include “Rescue Me” by Dirty Heads, which went to Number 1 on the Billboard Alternative charts, “Psycho” by Asking Alexandria, which also scored a spot at Number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts along with other immersive mixes for artists such as Tommy Lee, Papa Roach and Bad Wolves to name a few.
“I got into Atmos after hearing Apple’s spotlight presentation a few years back and when I saw that there was a new opportunity to improve the listening experience for music fans I was immediately intrigued. My goal as a mixer is to bring a song to life, not only for the artist but for the fans too. When I found out about Apple bringing Dolby Atmos to music and making it easily accessible by using headphones I thought, wow that’s a game changer! I remember that day posting to Instagram promising to offer Dolby Atmos mixes as soon as my rig was up and running. If Apple’s backing this, so am I—I don’t second-guess Apple.”
After purchasing a Focal Sub One for his stereo setup and realizing he already had the first piece of an immersive rig, Squillante wasted no time and called Sweetwater to discuss putting together an Atmos system. Recalling hearing Focal Alpha monitors at a friend’s studio and liking them, plus hearing a Focal Atmos setup at Flux Studios in NYC, he chose the newer Focal Evo model for his mix room, initially a 7.1.4 setup. He received a lot of support and insights on creating his own Atmos studio from Focal’s Josh Estock as well, who was introduced to him through Sweetwater, “Josh went through all the details with me, he’s been super helpful,” says Squillante.
“There are a lot of other brands trying to meet the Alpha Evo price point, but Focal has a reputation for a beautifully honest and transparent sound,” comments Squillante. “The monitors make so much sense when you listen to them: you’re not trying to figure out what’s going on with the speaker, you’re simply hearing the song, it’s like the speaker isn’t even there – in the best way possible!”
While visiting the Artistic Palace studio in Paris recently and hearing their all-Focal 9.1.4 system, Squillante decided to add two more Alpha 50 Evo monitors for the front “wides” to create his own 9.1.4 setup. “The wides make such a difference! In 7.1.4 it’s almost like there’s somewhat of a hole between the left and left side surrounds, as well as the right and right side surrounds. Once I added the wides, I was immediately convinced 9.1.4 is the way to go for immersive mixing.”
Inspired by his father and brother, both musicians, Squillante studied audio production at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta, and after graduating began his career working at Electric Lady Studios with 7-time Grammy-award-winning mixer Michael Brauer. Squillante was an assistant engineer for Brauer during records for top artists such as Bon Jovi, Elle King, and Mumford & Sons.
After departing Electric Lady Studios in 2016, Squillante began mixing independently and eventually built out his studio in Brooklyn. His reputation has grown entirely via word of mouth from the artists, producers, and record labels he works with, ensuring consistently great mixes. “Above all, it comes down to being personable and being someone who people want to work with,” he says. “I have this philosophy that when I’m working on a song—yes, I’m putting my all into it, I’m putting every bit of me, my skill, and my intuitions into the song—but at the end of the day, the artist is the boss. So whatever they say goes, if they have a note that they want a change I’ll make the change, every time. If it’s something I may not agree with, it’s OK. We’re going to chat about it because I want to hear their perspective and understand their vision. At the end of the day, it’s the artist’s song, they have to wear it, they have to perform it, they have to love it and that’s the most important thing to me.”
At his Brooklyn studio, Squillante has worked on songs for artists including Fletcher, Hozier, Aloe Blacc, Akon, Dylan Dunlap, Sam DeRosa, Max Frost, his own band Movie Night, and many more. Working at Electric Lady Studios with Michael Brauer “taught me a lot and led me to a really great place,” says Squillante. “I wouldn’t change a single thing. And where I’m at now in Brooklyn with my studio, having my own Atmos rig, a really good steady flow of clientele who—more importantly than anything— just trust me to do the right job and do the right thing by their music. I’m eternally grateful for that.”
Find out more about engineer Nick “Squids” Squillante at: www.mixedbysquids.com
Visit North American distributor Focal Naim America at: www.focalnaimamerica.com
About Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby Atmos is an immersive audio technology, which is transforming how music is created and experienced. It takes music to new levels by immersing listeners inside the song to reveal details with unparalleled clarity and depth. Whether it’s hearing the layers of instruments move all around, catching the subtle breath a singer takes between lyrics, or being enveloped in a wave of melodies, nothing compares to hearing music in Dolby Atmos.
About Focal Naim America
Born from the merger of Focal, a world leader in acoustic sound made in France, and Naim Audio, a world leader in British-made hi-fi electronics, VerVent Audio Group’s brand subsidiaries signal a new investment phase and direction for VerVent in the US and Canada. By creating its own distribution entity, the group is striving to turn the North American territory into the market leader for Focal and Naim. Focal Naim America also distributes IsoAcoustics, Vicoustic, Musical Fidelity, AVIDHIFI, Thorens (US only), and BDI (Canada only). For more information about Focal Naim America visit their website at www.focalnaimamerica.com or call (800)-663-9352.
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