Our latest Customer Studio Showcase takes us northeast of Sacramento, California, where Rob Mauer runs his Motherlode Recording studio. “We’re in Placerville, California, near where they discovered the motherlode that started the gold rush — so it kind of fits.”
Mauer’s location allows him to record any time he likes. “We’re located on a couple of acres and separated from the other houses, so I can record at any hour and not worry about bothering anybody. We’ve got a nice indoor pool in a 1,500-square-foot room with an 18′ vaulted ceiling, so I use that for my live room to record bands. Drums sound really good out there.” A separate tracking room is well equipped with gear — and even a pair of pinball machines. Mauer’s space also includes a 12′ x 15′ mixdown room.
Mauer has a down-to-earth approach to promoting his studio. “Down in Sacramento, there are a lot more studios and a lot more people. Up here, it’s a small town, and I work mostly by word of mouth. My studio is geared a bit more toward the singer/songwriter. I’ve done some bands, but I kind of pick and choose those.”
The studio is built around a Pro Tools DAW, a Mac Pro computer, a Toft ATB24 mixer, and an SSL Alpha-Link converter. “It’s kind of a hybrid setup; I’ve got a lot of outboard gear working with Pro Tools,” Mauer says. “I use a lot of outboard preamps, like a nice Vintech I got from Sweetwater.” He also makes extensive use of his Avalon M5 and Blue Robbie preamps, Empirical Labs Distressors, and Eventide and Yamaha effects processors. “I also use UAD Powered Plug-ins a lot,” he adds. Mauer lists the RØDE K2 and the Audio-Technica AT4050 condensers as his go-to mics for vocals.
His go-to Sales Engineer, Mark Magdich, has proven a great resource for Mauer. “Whenever I have a question about gear, Mark always seems to have the answer. He talks me through the upside and downside of different pieces of gear; I always get exactly what I need after talking to him.”