Why Jangada?
Welcome to my page! BTW, "jangada" was an iconic style of fishing boat unique to the northeast of Brazil where my father was born, so this is an homage to him and my memories of Brazil as a young boy on vacation with family, as well as a metaphor related to the power of the ocean and the bounty obtained through hard work. So know ya know!
I do a few things well: Tracking piano might be the biggest differentiator. Tracking other instruments, yes, except a full drum kit - we have a partner studio that can help with this if needed. With over 24 microphones and 20 mic pre's, we've got most scenarios covered. Our gear list is extensive. Mixing, of course. Mastering, I get by, but with some big lifts from a few pieces of truly sublime gear. Production skills, definitely. I have a very good ear, and I'm so fortunate to have a stable of really great artists I can call upon should we need other instruments in the track. Videography services are offered here as well, with professional gear (3 cameras, a slider, lights, gimbals, more) and we can work with you on a basic package like documenting the sessions or more.
And I don't quit until it's perfect, or as close as I can humanly manage! Plus I am very artist-focused and want most of all to ensure you're super happy with the results.
Now, about the piano recording here. I own a 2012 Bosendorfer 6’6” 200 Conservatory Series Grand Piano. It was one of 34 Bosendorfers shipped to the US in 2012. And it's no ordinary instrument. It may be hard to believe that a small studio in someone's townhome basement (with 10' ceilings btw) can seriously make bold claims, but consider the following: most of my competitors of much larger scale cannot offer such an amazing instrument. Some do get close, but not at the same price point. Most have an upright for rock, some have a grand with a bright tone like Yamaha's, and a few as I mentioned do get a great sound. One large, impressive studio I was in featured a beautiful 9' concert grand but they didn't know how to mic the instrument and it didn't do it justice (in my opinion at least). And my technician Suang Xi Gong is well-known as being among the best in the Delaware Valley. He's really dialed in a great sound and touch for anyone who plays it. For intimate sounds, for classical, for mysterious and lush? You'll be happy here! And again, the touch/responsiveness is fantastic. Combined with my experience getting the sound just right for my own personal recordings, plus the crazy good recording chain I have on this instrument, it's honestly just such a stunning sound that puts a smile on my face every time I hear the playback. So, all that to say if you’re interested in a big-studio piano sound but with the charm of a small studio vibe, you’ve found it here at Jangada Studios, a modest project studio in Aston, PA.
And that's not all. If I can tame the piano, a beast of an instrument to record, then you can rest assured that voice and instrument recordings are attainable here as well. And with our wide selection of microphones to choose from, you're sure to be paired with just the right one for your unique voice or instrument.
Plus I do production, and I'm pretty good at it. Production is a skill that requires a good ear. I was blessed with that gift, so you don't think I'm being arrogant saying that, let me put it like this: I may not be blessed with tons of gifts or talent, but having a musical ear *IS certainly one of em and I've been playing since I was 3 or 4.
Jangada Studios' main focus is on you. Making YOU
Comfortable
Calm
Happy
Excited
I promise to listen to your goals, to work with you, to get the best possible product for you, and at reasonable cost. It's what I would want out of a studio, so that's my goal for you and YOUR project! Being an artist myself, I’m very sensitive to catering to both artistic excellence while conducting business in a safe, comfortable and creative atmosphere.
So why put it off any longer. Feel free to reach out today. I'd love to get to know you and your music, your goals and what you're looking to get out of the recording studio. Let's work together to realize your vision and hopefully, even to exceed your expectations.
Make the call, I promise you'll be glad you did!
Thanks for looking around.
Andre Maranhao [ma don YO] Jangada Studios 610 742 7648
About Me
Hi, I’m Andre Maranhao, owner of Jangada Studios. Being a pianist as well, I understand what it means to achieve an excellent piano tone. That includes not just the mics and gear – which as you might guess are equal in measure to the instrument quality - but especially how the Bosendorfer is voiced, how it plays and most important to us pianists, how it feels and responds to our touch.I began playing at the age of around three with an upright in a bedroom I shared with my older brother, who is a talented guitarist, singer and keyboardist. I experimented on the instrument before I started lessons so there wasn't anyone to tell me what I was doing was wrong or right. And in grammar school I was playing around with a tape deck and two mics, sometimes pushing staples into the piano hammers to get a bright tone, other times pushing some padding/blankets on the strings to dampen them or to get overtones. My first multitrack recording was made by sticking tin foil over the erase head while I recorded over it; a nifty idea except I couldn't hear the first track! Next I was bouncing between two tape decks (mine, and the nicer one my father owned and sometimes let me use). I proceeded through high school with a few more pieces like a knockoff of the Moog Model D monophonic synth (The Cat, by Octave), a polyphonic synth (Korg Poly51) and a Wurlitzer. College saw me focus on computer science, psychology and philosophy. Life steered me towards computers and I went independent in the year 2000. For the next 23 years, music took more of a backseat, however, I was able to slowly outfit my studio and learn the gear, and I continued to record myself and my friends, first with Cakewalk, then Ableton Live and finally with Apple's Logic Pro. I am finally able to focus almost exclusively on audio production, mixing, tracking and exploring music more fully finally, and I'm very excited to share my experience with you and your project!
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.