
Professional Recording mixing and mastering for independent artists, bands and producers. With over a decade of studio experience and credits spanning indie rock, psych, electronic, shoegaze, experimental, podcasts and games, I help bring recordings to their full potential while preserving the character of the performance.
Services
Recording
In-studio, Sydney
Whether you're tracking a full band, adding overdubs or recording a solo project, I offer a relaxed and collaborative recording environment focused on capturing authentic performances rather than chasing perfection.
From live drums and guitars to synthesisers, vocals and experimental instrumentation, I work with artists across indie rock, psych, shoegaze, electronic and alternative music. Sessions can be as hands-on or self-directed as you like, with guidance available throughout the creative process.
Mixing
In-studio or remote
Every mix starts with the same goal: bringing out the emotion and character of a song while making sure every element has its place. Whether you've recorded at home, in another studio or with me, I can take your session and turn it into a polished, balanced mix that's ready for release.
Rather than forcing a mix to sound loud or over-processed, I focus on clarity, depth and dynamics, creating mixes that translate well across headphones, speakers and streaming platforms while still feeling natural and engaging. For a single song, expect a first mix back within about a week, with revisions turned around in 1–2 days — the more clearly your stems are labelled and exported, the faster that turnaround holds.
Need cleanup on its own — noise reduction, comping or pitch correction on a vocal or track you recorded at home? That falls under Podcast & Audio Editing below.
Mastering
In-studio or remote
Mastering is the final step that brings consistency, clarity and cohesion to a finished mix, preparing it for release across streaming, vinyl or physical formats. I work with mixes recorded and mixed anywhere — including sessions completed at home or in another studio — and master remotely, so location is never a barrier.
Rather than chasing loudness for its own sake, I focus on translation: making sure a track holds up across headphones, club systems, vinyl and streaming platforms while keeping the dynamics and character of the mix intact. I use a combination of analogue outboard and modern digital tools to get there, with an ear tuned toward warmth and detail rather than over-compression. Turnaround is typically 1–2 days per song, provided files are supplied in the right format and clearly labelled.
Podcast & Audio Editing
In-studio or remote
Podcast and dialogue editing is about clarity and consistency — making sure your audience can hear every word without distraction, whether that's a solo voiceover, an interview, or a multi-guest conversation recorded remotely.
I handle noise reduction, level balancing, cutting out mistakes and dead air, and general cleanup, then deliver files ready to publish or hand off for video. If you're recording with guests in different locations, I can also help troubleshoot your setup beforehand so the finished edit comes out cleaner and faster.
This isn't limited to podcasts — if you've tracked vocals or dialogue at home and need noise reduction, comping or pitch correction before it's mixed, this covers that too.
Selected Projects

dust suspended on a sunbeam
Julia Why?
Recorded • Produced • Mixed

To Heaven, From Hollywood
G.U.N
Mixed & Mastered

Tales From Bad Drip
Bad Drip
Recorded • Produced • Mixed • Mastered

SHAKE!!!
H O T E L
Recorded • Produced • Mixed

Slow Monkey
Moon Brain
Recorded • Produced • Mixed

Brain Dead
Black Wax
Recorded • Produced • Mixed • Mastered

Colourless Green Ideas
Misty Lanes
Composed • Recorded • Produced • Mixed

Piece of Piss
No Cake
Recorded • Produced • Mixed

The Master's Pupil Original Score
Misty Lanes
Composed • Recorded • Produced • Mixed • Mastered
About Me
I'm Steven Schouten, an audio engineer and producer based in Sydney, Australia, working with artists remotely and in the studio. I trained in audio engineering, spent three years teaching the next generation of engineers at JMC Academy, and have spent the years since recording, mixing, mastering and producing records for a wide range of artists — alongside touring internationally as a guitar tech for bands including The Church and Sons of the East.
That background across the studio and the stage shapes how I work: I understand what a song needs to translate live as well as on record. Whether you're sending me a session from a bedroom setup or another studio, you'll get the same level of care and attention as if I were sitting next to you in the room.





Studio Gear
A snapshot of what's on hand in the studio — mic pres, mics, outboard, synths, guitars, amps and pedals. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are on long-term loan or belong to a studio partner; get in touch to confirm availability ahead of your session.
Preamps, Comps & EQ
- UAD Apollo Twin X (loaded with UAD 1073, Helios, Manly Vox Box and 610 virtual pres)
- UAD Quad 8 (loaded with UAD 1073, Helios, Manly Vox Box and 610 virtual pres)
- Focusrite Octopre with comp
- Sebatron VMP400e*
- Beyer 66 tube mic pre*
- Tascam M-312 mixer
- Tascam 244 4-track*
- Rola 77 tube mic pre*
- Ampex 601 tube mic pre*
- Ampex MX10 tube mic pre*
- SSL bus comp (clone)
- DBX 119 Decilinear
- Warm Audio 76 (1176 clone)*
- Stam Audio LA-2A (LA-2A clone)*
- Yamaha HS5 monitors
- Dutch & Dutch 8C studio monitors*
- SSL XLogic Alpha-Link AD/DA converter*
- Otari MX-70 8–16 channel 1-inch tape machine*
- Revox 77 1/4-inch reel-to-reel*
- Manley Massive Passive EQ*
- Tube-Tech CL1B stereo optical compressor*
- Stam Audio SSL bus comp*
- Manley Vari-Mu mastering stereo compressor
Microphones
- Shure SM57 x4
- Sennheiser MD421 x2
- Rode TF5 (KM84-style pencil condenser) matched pair
- Shure KSM44 matched pair
- Sony C38B condenser mic*
- Neumann U87*
- Neumann U89*
- Reslo Sound 30-50 ribbon mic*
- ORP The Grill ribbon mic, matched pair
- Grundig Lustraphone VR53 ribbon mic
- AKG D12*
- AKG D112
- Beyerdynamic M88
- Warm Audio FET47 Jr condenser
- Ball & Biscuit mic*
- DIY telephone mic
- Electro-Voice PL20 dynamic
- Electro-Voice 635A*
Effects Processors
- Stereo spring reverb*
- Eventide H3000 harmonizer
- Roland Space Echo 201*
- Roland Space Echo 555*
- Evans analog echo*
- Yamaha E1005 analog delay*
- Boss RX-100 x2*
Synths, Keys & Drum Machines
- Korg MS-20 Mini
- Mellotron Micro
- Yamaha RX8 drum machine
- Fender Rhodes MkII
- Wurlitzer
- Sequential Prophet Rev2*
- Akai MPC One
- Roland Boutique SH-01A
- Roland Boutique JU-06A
- Behringer TD-3
- Streichfett string synth
- Roland Drumatix 303 (original)
- Behringer MonoPoly
- Yamaha PS-20*
- Yamaha SY20 mono synth
- Lowrey Wandering Genie
- Ace Tone compact organ
- Casio SK-5 sampler keyboard
- Casio CZ-1000*
Guitars & Bass
- MIJ Fender Stratocaster, Vintage White (1996)
- MIJ Fender Jazzmaster, Tobacco Burst (1994)
- MIJ Fender Jaguar, refinished Shell Pink (1996)
- Rickenbacker 360/6, Fireglo Red (1986)
- Vox Super Lynx Deluxe (1966)
- MIJ Honey SG-5 (Rickenbacker copy, 1967–69)
- Rogue sitar-guitar (early 2000s)
- Burns Double Six 12-string (1964)*
- MIJ Crest 12-string violin hollowbody (1970)
- Höfner Ignition series bass, flatwound strings
- Gretsch Gin Rickey parlor acoustic
- Maton acoustic
- Craft 6-string acoustic, strung in Nashville tuning
Amps
- Musicman 410HD (1970s)
- Fender Bassman 5F6A 4x10 combo*
- Fender Blues Junior (modded)*
- Fender Deluxe Reverb*
- Fender Hot Rod Deville*
- Fender Twin Reverb (1970s)*
- Vox AC30 w/ vibrato (1970s)*
- Goldentone Bassmaster 60 w/ matching cab (1960s)*
- Goldentone Reverbmaster 2x12 (1960s)*
- Goldentone 1x10 + 2x6 (1960s)
- Ampeg SVT II w/ Marshall cab*
Effects Pedals
- Eventide H9 Max
- Empress Effects Zoia
- MXR Dyna Comp
- Boss Blues Driver
- MXR Blue Box
- Boss BF-2 Flanger*
- Moogerfooger ring modulator
- Chase Bliss Mood
- Boss Feedbacker/Distortion*
- Boss T2 Tremolo
- Boss DS-1 Distortion*
- Boss OC-2 Octave
- Boss RV-5 Reverb
- Boss CS-3 Compressor x2
- Boss PS-6 Harmonizer
- Rainger FX Mini Bar Overdrive
- Rainger FX Bleeper Fuzz
- Keeley Loomer
- TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb
- Strymon El Capistan tape delay
- Line 6 DL4
- EarthQuaker Devices Organizer
- EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
- Electro-Harmonix Mel9
- Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail
- Electro-Harmonix Holiest Grail
- Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser
- Various home-made fuzz boxes
Testimonials
Steve's extensive knowledge, patience, professionalism, friendly demeanour, and genuine passion for music have made him a trusted collaborator not only for me, but for many other local artists. His considerate approach inspires creativity through thoughtful collaboration, which is why he has built an eclectic portfolio as a producer and recording engineer.
Luke O'Farrell — The Laurels, The Black Ryder, The Dolly Rocker Movement, and Terza Madre
Dovetale has worked with Steven on recording, mixing and production for multiple projects, including my debut album. I have had nothing but fantastic experiences with Steve and his studio, and always found him to be friendly, professional and deeply knowledgeable. His approach to recording is gentle and encouraging, and he always worked to make sure the musicians felt comfortable and supported.
Tom Hume — Dovetale
Having worked with Steve on projects with my band “Small Town Incident” and solo electronic outlet “ddsot_” I know Steven is a dedicated and very talented artist, producer and audio wizard! His work ethic is high-level, and quality output is competitive with the larger production studios.
Skels — Small Town Incident / ddsot_
Bands I've Worked With
A selection of artists and bands I've recorded, mixed, produced, or worked with on the road.
- Misty Lanes — Recorded, written, performed, mixed, mastered & produced
- The Church — Guitar and stage tech
- Sons of The East — Guitar and stage tech
- Julia Why? — Recorded, mixed & produced
- Moonbrain — Recorded, mixed & produced
- HOTEL — Recorded & mixed
- Dead Witch — Recorded & produced
- Iain T McKelvey — Recorded & produced
- G.U.N — Mixed & mastered
- Pan-Pacific Grand Prix — Recorded, mixed & produced
- Phonographics — Recorded, keys/synth & produced
- PEEL — Co-writer, synth, keys and samples
- The Future Thrills — Recorded, mixed & produced
- Montes Jura — Co-writer, recorded, mixed & produced
- Bad Drip — Recorded, mixed, mastered & produced
- Black Wax — Recorded, mixed, mastered & produced
- No Cake — Recorded, mixed & produced
- Lee Sullivan — Recorded
- Dovetale — Recorded
- Small Town Incident — Recorded, mixed & produced
- Rosa Maria — Guest appearance on keys
- Gravel Pit — Recorded, mixed & produced
- Marilyn Maria — Recorded, mixed & produced
- Lorelei — Guest on keys, live
- Salerymen — Occasional fill-in on keys
- Grinding Eyes — Bass & keys
FAQ
How does remote mixing and mastering work?
You send me your session or stems through a file-sharing service like WeTransfer, Dropbox or Google Drive. I work on the project, send back a preview, and we go through revisions over email until it's ready — no need to be in the same city, or even the same country.
What files do you need from me?
For mixing: individual tracks (stems) as WAV files, 24-bit where possible, with no processing on the master bus. A reference track or two — songs you love the sound of — helps a lot. For mastering: your final mixed WAV file, ideally with a little headroom and nothing on the master bus limiting it further.
How many revisions are included?
3 revisions on mixing before a $60/revision fee applies, and 3 revisions on mastering before a $30/revision. With good communication upfront, this rarely comes up.
How much does it cost?
Mixing from $600 per song, mastering from $60 per song, with EP/album packages available at a discount.
Can you master a mix that I did myself, or that another engineer mixed?
Yes — mastering is a standalone service and doesn't need to follow on from mixing with me.
What genres do you work with?
Mostly indie rock, psych, shoegaze, garage and alternative — but the process above applies regardless of genre.
First mixes back in about a week, mastering in 1–2 days.
Request a Quote
Tell me a bit about your project and I'll get back to you with pricing and a realistic turnaround. If you've already got stems or a mix ready to send, a WeTransfer, Dropbox or Google Drive link in the message box works great.
