Our Studios

In the industry you will encounter all kinds of different gear. Our grads often comment on the confidence they have in the field based on the fact that they learned in 3 different studios with different console setups. You will develop a full understanding of working with both digital and analog consoles, using Protools or Logic systems, and applying mic techniques in both tight spaces and large acoustically treated environments.

After learning in our studios you will have the knowledge to excel wherever you choose. You can have a look at our studios below or come on in for a tour; we’d love to show you around.

• 
  The Big Room

  Built from scratch, this acoustically treated room provides great ‘off the floor’ sound, and the swinging baffles allow the engineer to control leakage between the mic’d instruments. This room doubles as our lecture space on Monday nights.

• 
  Studio A Control room

  This master control room can access all the recording spaces. It acts as our main class room during the school year. The gear includes: Protools and Logic software, Mac Pro, Sony Console, Focusrite Reds, SOTA and Yamaha monitors. Our collection of Mics include Neumann, AKG, Shure, B & K, Studio Projects, Groove Tubes and many others.

• 
  Studio B control room

  This Studio B is used for Student labs and occasional classes. Gear includes- Protools and Logic Software, Apple Imac ,Tac console, JV1080, Truth monitors etc.

• 
  Studio B Studio

  Studio B’s recording space, can also be linked to Studio A’s control room if the engineer wants to isolate an instrument

• 
  Studio c control room

  Studio C is used for Student labs and occasional classes. Gear includes- Protools and Logic Audio Software, Apple Imac, Mackie 28/8 Console, JV1080, Tannoy Monitors etc....

• 
  Studio C

  This dead room was built primarily for vocals, narration and drums, however its acoustics are ideal for any recording that requires a tight sound without natural reverb or echo.

Our People

We work with industry professionals to make sure we are always up to date with the latest techniques and trends.

Click on a name below to find out more about them and their role at TARA.

• 
  Shannon Murray

  Registrar
• 
  Steve Tevlin

  Head Instructor
• 
  Marty Sobb

  Senior Instructor
• 
  Dave Sarazin

  Instructor

Specialist instructors

T. Bruce Wittet – Drums
www.tbrucewittet.com
Tom McMahon – Bass
www.tommcmahon.ca
Terry Tufts – Guitar
www.terrytufts.com

We also recruit guest speakers from the industry to give students a broader understanding of the music and recording worlds. Here’s a list of recent speakers to give you an idea of the type of knowledge you could gain:

Gerard Tevlin – 2011 Gemini Award winning composer
Jeff Waters – Lead singer of Annihilator/producer/engineer – www.annihilatormental.com
Ken Friesen – Engineer/Producer/Live sound/Studio engineer – www.kenfriesen.com
Paul Lever – Royalties/Copyrights – www.socan.com
Andreas Seelisch – Audiologist – www.listenupcanada.com
Richard Nault – Location sound – www.soundmindproductions.com
Marc Parizeau – Ensemble recording engineer – wikibin.org/articles/marc-parizeau.html
Attila Somogyi – Universal Music – www.universalmusic.com
Dayna Bourgoin – 604 Records – www.604records.com

Our History

In 1992 TARA was founded by Ottawa’s famed Raven Street Studios, with the aim of providing a quality, practical audio recording education in a nurturing environment at a reasonable price for the student.

Our first class was only 4 students and to this day we keep our classes small, although our enrollment now runs around 60 students a year.

In 2002 we expanded to include a campus in Toronto, where we brought a refreshing change to Toronto’s choice in recording schools.

In 2008 TARA Toronto teamed up with EMI Publishing Canada to create the EMI Music Publishing Studio Lab, where EMI’s top songwriters, artists and producers work their magic. TARA also became the only Audio Recording program in Canada that can offer exclusive internship opportunities with EMI Music Publishing Canada.

2010 brought about more excitement in Toronto as we created a new custom designed studio in the Magic Building, just down the road at 60 Sumach St. With classes starting in the new facility in the spring of 2011 we hope to bring the TARA experience to a whole new level.