Steppenwolf studio

phone: +31 6 31 90 77 34

e-mail: s.poprugin@gmail.com

We bring
your ideas to life

Recording

Recording
in our studio
or on location

Editing

Getting the very best
from your performance
aiming for perfection

Mixing

Searching for the right sound
is a creative
and addictive process,
we create your ideal sound

Mastering

Preparation for publishing
with final adjustments
and quality control

Restoration

Careful restoration of old
or damaged recordings,
Converting from analogue to digital

How we work

Project planning

To begin with we want to discuss your project with you, to find out what your concept is, what is important to you in the process and how you aim to communicate with your audience through the recording. Our price list shown is based on an hourly rate. However, if it suits you better, we can agree on a fixed price for the whole project, and work without time limits until you are happy with the result.

Recording

From our longstanding experience we know how important it is to find the ideal type of mic, and its optimum placement to capture the unique characteristic of your instrument and the nuances of your performance. We are happy to follow your own preferences for the recording procedure. You may like to work with longer takes, or perhaps with shorter ones. As a practicing musician and recording engineer, I feel confident we will understand each other well while discussing the details of your musical requirements. I am meticulous in documenting every take so it can be used for the editing stage.

Editing

The first edit is based on my recording notes and then sent to you. Then we have two options – firstly, you provide your comments, I work with them and send you back the newly amended version. This might need to happen several times. Or secondly, we meet in the studio, discuss your comments and edit together.

Mixing

This is the most challenging stage. As the saying goes, mixing is never finished, at some point you just stop. We can mix in an analogue or a digital environment, work with different reverberation systems, and other technologies to achieve the specific sound you imagined.

Mastering

This is the final step for each project. We put the album together adjusting pauses between tracks. Then we play your album on different audio systems, to make sure it sounds consistently good on any replay medium. As a result, you get a Master for CD production and/or for electronic distribution. The Steppenwolf studio is certified and credited to work with Apple Music, we are able to prepare your tracks for iTunes. The final Master is uploaded to the cloud for easy access.

Restoration

Our studio is equipped for digital restoration of audio material, specifically the Sonic Solutions' NoNoise. I can also digitise LPs, cassettes, and reel-to-reel tapes.

Testimonials

We have many positive reviews from our clients. Some of their feedback can be found here.

Being able to record at the Steppenwolf Studio turned out into a very special experience! The combination of a highly professional service and a very creative and fresh musical input of Slava Poprugin, calming and relaxing surroundings outside the studio and a very welcoming hospitality of both Slava and Alex Koshkarov, makes you want to come back to the Studio again and again. The very important ‘personal touch’ is the possibility to work without feeling of a time pressure which takes the whole process to a very different level. I am very grateful for the great result of our collaboration and hope there will be many more to come!
Hanna Shybayeva
pianist
I have just finished a recording for my new CD in a fantastic newly built Steppenwolf Studio with the most experienced sound engineer and a great musician Slava Poprugin. The works of Scriabin, Debussy, Ravel and Mompou were played on a beautifully restored 115-year-old Bechstein. The idea of this project is to recreate the sound aesthetic of the great Bechstein epoche which has come to an end together with the end of World War II. Our aim is to preserve that distinctive warmth and richness of tone which is missing in many contemporary concert pianos. The capacity of Steppenwolf studio seemed to be ideal for this. This instrument has so much character so it can profoundly influence your interpretation. I cannot wait for the final mix! My warmest gratitude to Slava Poprugin and Alex Koshkarov for the friendly and welcoming atmosphere which made a difficult recording process a very pleasurable experience!
Mikhail Shilyaev
pianist
The studio is beautiful, modern and spacious for a solo instrument or chamber music recording. The equipment, possibilities and attention to detail is also stellar. Slava made this one of the special musical experiences of my life because of his endless curiosity toward my instrument and the slightly unknown and esoteric music I wanted to record. This genuine interest and strong effort made it an amazing project!
Nick Scholten
harpist
Equipped with the most advanced technique and quality of sound engineering the heart of the studio is of course Slava with his enormous experience both as a musician and sound regisseur. He really puts all his energy to get the musically best possible result and wants to understand the aim of the musicians.
Anaïs Chen
violinist
There is a very special atmosphere in the studio - creative, highly professional and very welcoming in the same time. I would not be able to wish for more. One can dive into the process of making music and documenting performance so deep in there… And yes - it is always open!
Alexandra Ivanova
harpsichordist
It was a big pleasure to record my fisrt CD in this amazing studio… the atmosphere is really friendly, that makes it easier to record! All conditions were exceptional))) A big thanks to Slava Poprugin, which is one of the best musicians and sound engineers! Hope I will return soon !
Slava Guerchovitch
pianist
The atmosphere itself is already an experience not miss. Technology together with nature of the countryside, craftsmanship of Slava and perfect studio. What else would one need for the inspiration?
Boris Begelman
violinists
I’ve known Slava for years, his skill and standards are impeccable. He is a masterful musician, expert tech savvy engineer, and fantastic person. I’ve worked with top mastering engineers for decades and can attest that his productions are among the best. I wish him big success with Steppenwolf Studio and would recommend him unreservedly for your projects.
Dietrick Hardwick
musician