Empty Sea Studios - Ferndale, Washington

David L.

I had an incredible time recording a full length record here in 2023. The live room and iso booths are well cultivated, aesthetically and sonically. The mic locker and outboard racks are jaw-dropping. We had a blast during the "vocal mic shoot-out" where the singers got to test a bunch of super nice mics to decide which one fit their voice best.
Most important - Michael was a dream to work with. As an engineer, he's efficient, knows his gear inside and out, and is acutely attuned to capturing the essence of the instruments and the band as a whole. He knows how to achieve all the 'studio magic' tricks but doesn't rely on them too heavily. As a producer, Michael did a great job of coaxing us to achieve our greatest potential as musicians. His caring, astute, and comical demeanor managed to strike a tricky balance: encouraging relaxed and playful performances while pushing for a better take or a novel variation.
Through pre-production, mixing, and mastering, his knowledge and taste guided us to a result that far exceeded my expectations. I would absolutely recommend Michael & Empty Seas Studios to artists who are serious about their art and looking to capture something special.

Gustavo A. L.

I just completed recording my second studio album with Michael Connolly at Empty Sea Studios. Once again, Michael came through and helped me create a fantastic project. It sounds great and is something of which I’m quite proud. I especially appreciate Michael’s calm, steady demeanor in the studio. Recording is usually a stressful, expensive endeavor, but Michael is always focused and doesn’t get easily flustered. In turn, this helps me focus on the task at hand and deliver my best possible performance.

I play flamenco, which is an idiosyncratic, nuanced, and challenging art form. Although Michael is not trained in this style, his background, natural abilities, and eagerness to learn helps him clearly understand the intentions of the music and the project’s overall goals. These are critical characteristics that I look for in all my collaborators.

The studio has a wide selection of gear to accommodate a variety of instruments and recording situations. It is located in a serene, rural environment that makes the recording experience feel like a retreat or “mini-residency.” I spent several nights in the guest house, as I was traveling from out of town. It is equipped with all the necessary amenities one might expect and leads to a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

I enthusiastically recommend Michael Connolly and Empty Sea Studios, and hope to collaborate with him again later on down the road.

Ben S.

This studio is absolutely amazing. It was built by Michael himself with exacting acoustic specifications from the walls out. What you get is a completely quiet environment with beautifully subtle and extremely controllable acoustic characteristics. Michael himself is the best audio engineer I've worked with in my 25 years as a professional musician. He's also one of the best musicians I've worked with as well. Having the engineering and playing chops that he does, makes for an unbeatable package. For the price of one engineer you also get a brilliant producer, his vocal coaching during my recording was the best I've ever had and the results show. Everyone who's been hearing me for years can't get over the vocals sound on my latest album. If you're considering recording at Empty Sea, don't hesitate to get on the calendar as soon as possible, you won't regret it.

Kim B.

Our band, The Unknowns, had such a great experience with Michael. He brought out the best in us and helped us to get a fuller sound and taught us some things too! He is super knowledgeable, great ear and would highly recommend. We are so proud and happy with the results of our EP recorded at Empty Sea Studios.

Allison B.

My experience with Michael and Empty Sea Studios was phenomenal. The equipment is top notch and Michael's expertise is evident in how he coaches every aspect of recording. I loved the experience of pre-production and feel like it was taking a master class. I was most impressed with how he was able to provide feedback that was specific, actionable, and never condescending, bringing out the best in us while maintaining a calm and encouraging atmosphere. I loved my experience at Empty Sea Studios and hope to have another in the future!

Christa B.

My band, the Syncopaths, recorded our most recent album, "Be Like the Sea," at Empty Sea with Michael, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience! Michael is a great engineer: he's sensitive to the music; has a fantastic selection of gear; will offer useful feedback and perspective when asked; is really efficient about set-up and recording, saving you time and money; is a super-fast editor for comps; and has a quiet, wicked sense of humor that makes the sessions fun and puts everyone at ease, so they give their best performances. The studio and control bay are comfortable, the snacks are epic, and the vibe is warm and relaxed. We really enjoyed recording at Empty Sea, and are very happy with how the album turned out. Thank you, Michael, Jeremy, and Amy!

Gregory Z.

Hands-down the best recording experience I've had to date. The equipment is top-notch, the setup is ideal, and the space is warm and inviting. But what makes Empty Sea special is the man behind the console. Michael was a complete professional both in terms of his engineering as well as song production and musicality. His suggestions fit perfectly into the sound we were trying to capture and took our songs to a new level. And yet he was able to explain methods and techniques without being condescending or overbearing (and it's not often you have a wealth of talent and experience removed from ego in this industry). He really took time to explain the reasoning behind his thoughts, and that brought us into a new level of understanding. No matter your level of musicianship, he make you sound the best you possibly can.

Stan H.

Michael is a true Audio wizard. Working with him has to date been the least stressful experience recording. He knew exactly how to mic our stringband and gave us great feedback along the way. If you’re so inclined check out “evergreen shakers” on Spotify to hear his amazing work!