SENTIR.STUDIO
Sentir.Studio, located within a short drive from Sydney’s CBD, stands as a meticulously crafted and artfully designed analog recording studio helmed by record producer and mix engineer Murray Lake.
Reflecting Lake’s extensive industry expertise and penchant for design, Sentir (translated from the French expression “to feel”) presents a distinctive immersive recording environment, comprising purpose-built Control and Live rooms. With a commitment to cutting-edge acoustics and premium recording equipment, complemented by elegant Parisian design elements, Sentir fosters a harmonious blend of comfort, style, and limitless sonic exploration.
From initial concept to meticulous detail in acoustic architecture – including structure, isolation, room-specific Walnut QRD diffusion, European VPR technology, French Oak Versailles parquet perforated flooring, joinery, wiring, patchbays, and a bespoke Class-A fully discrete Malotki line mixer – every aspect of Sentir reflects Lake’s expert touch.
The Control Room, engineered as an exclusive mix environment, with no speaker correction or EQ and 1/48 octave smoothing, boasts unparalleled acoustic precision with a frequency response of +/- 0.9dB from 26Hz to 60Hz and RT60 +/- 0.043s from 68Hz to 10,000Hz, placing Sentir among the elite global studios for acoustic performance.
Lake’s collection of microphones, instruments both acoustic and electronic, vintage effects, and other outboard equipment dating back to the ’60s facilitates an infinitely creative recording environment.
Choosing his instruments “with love” – including nine synthesizers, six drum machines, a Yamaha CP70 piano, a Fender Rhodes, a 1962 Ludwig Superclassic, a 1964 Fender P Bass, a 1960 Ampeg B15, and a plethora of outboard equipment – contributes to an incomparable analog sound.
Original Teletronix, Urei, DBX, Neve, Manley and SSL compressors; multiple Pultec, GML, Neve, Studer, SSL, and API EQs and preamps; seven different Lexicon reverbs; and ATC 2.1 monitoring—all facilitate an artist’s sonic expression.
In essence, Sentir embodies a rare synthesis of luxury, artistic freedom, and sonic excellence, setting a new standard in the realm of recording studios worldwide.
MURRAY LAKE
Murray Lake is an Australian record producer, mix engineer, and founder of Sentir Studio, a studio he independently designed, built, and operates. With his keen ear and innate artistic curiosity, he is synonymous with tactile, analog sound. He has worked with artists including Anderson .Paak, La Femme, Theophilus London, Genesis Owusu, Nina Kraviz, Boys Noize, MK, and Freddie Gibbs.
Lake’s early years were spent DJing in prominent local and international venues, as well as playing private parties for Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruno Mars, Kelly Rowland, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, and New Order. He soon realized his passion lay in ideation and sound production. Eager to deepen his understanding of writing and music construction, Lake studied classical composition at Sydney’s prestigious Conservatorium of Music. Concurrently, he honed his craft working closely with notable Australian and international artists such as The Free Nationals, Touch Sensitive, and Freyja Garbett.
In 2016, Lake remixed Guillaume Teyssier’s “Vortex Disco,” which was subsequently released by the respected French record label, Tigersushi. The track was selected by the renowned French designer agnès b as the opening music for her Paris Fashion Week runway show. Tigersushi’s stamp of approval compelled Lake to seek out other sonically simpatico music talents, leading him to release and work alongside icons such as Jamie Lidell, Monika, and the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra.
A chance connection with French DJ and producer Philippe Zdar soon developed into a formative friendship, and in 2018, Lake seized an opportunity to join Zdar in the South of France, immersing himself in the late composer's and producer’s teachings. Upon returning to Australia, Lake recorded with local artists and established his independent record label, also called Sentir, before embarking on the design and construction of his second studio. Brought to life over three years—amidst COVID-19—Sentir is the physical expression of Lake’s experience, expertise, and sought-after approach to production and mixing.
The way Lake works the room, Sentir becomes an integral instrument of its own.