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 EMI Music Publishing Studio

  Built specifically for composing, this studio allows the EMI producers, writers and artists to work on their projects.

• 
  Studio C Control room

  This master control room can access all the recording spaces. It acts as our main classroom during the school year. It features bleacher seating and large monitors for easy viewing of the class in session. Running a power mac with Protools and Logic, it has Tannoy nearfields and JBL main monitors.

• 
  Main Live room

  Natural light and the ability to tune the room using trifusers make this a favourite recording space for artists and students

• 
  Studio B control room

  Studio B is our analog room, featuring a TASCAM 16-track analog machine. The board runs both protools and logic, and this room has Alessis monitors. Connected to the large live room and the vocal booth, this is a great room for tracking guitars, drums and vocals to tape.

• 
  STUDIO A

  Studio A Features a digital Sony DMX R100 console and 5.1 surround system. This room is used for mixing for film and music.

• 
  Studio D Live Room

  This space is designed to work with multiple studios, and is great for Guitars, and vocals.

• 
  Studio D

  Studio D was acoustically designed with mixing in mind. Natural light, great acoustics, KRK Monitors, make this a popular studio. Both Protools and Logic are available on the Power Mac.

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
• 
  Sean Gugula

  Studio Manger/Instructor
• 
  Phil Strong

  Instructor
• 
  Gerrard Suyao

  Administrator

Specialist instructors

Michelle Josef – Drums
www.michellejosef.com
Kurt Swinghammer – Guitar
www.swinghammer.com
Tom McCartney – Electronics/Analog
JB Affleck – Live Sound

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:

Rodney Murphy – SOCAN – www.socan.ca
William Rottman – artist promotions – www.williamrottman.com
Gavin Brown – Multi JUNO award winning Producer
Tonni Maruyama – Epitaph Records
Joel Baskin – Pilot Agency – www.thepilotagency.com
Alan Cross – Host – Edge 102/ The Ongoing history of new music
Ross HarwelL – HearToronto – www.heartoronto.ca
Mike McCarty – Ole Music Publishing (formerly President- EMI Music Publishing)

The EMI Publishing Studio Lab

At TARA we are always looking for new ways to expand our students experience. We were talking with our friends at EMI about this and we came up with a great idea for a partnership. EMI’s songwriters, artists and producers work their magic in one of our studios outside of school hours, and in return our students get access to the studio, and the chance to get involved in any recording that EMI does at TARA. This exposure allows our students to build their resumes while going to school. EMI also offers, to TARA grads, exclusive internship opportunities with EMI Music Publishing, something no other school in Canada can access. It’s just another reason our students choose TARA.

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.