Business Details
31 Years
experience
Expert Music & AV Production in Derry
Established in 1995, Blast Furnace has built a reputation as a state-of-the-art recording and mixing facility serving musicians and filmmakers. Our expertise spans over 25 years, with a focus on high-quality output and professionalism. Our team includes seasoned professionals like Rory, the studio manager and producer with extensive experience in music and AV work, and Mik, a music producer with a decade of experience. We offer a wide range of services from recording and mixing to mastering and audio restoration, supported by cutting-edge equipment and acoustically designed studios.Our client list includes notable names in the music and film industries, reflecting our adaptability across genres. We provide bespoke solutions for both local and international clients, including remote collaboration tools. Our facility houses vintage and modern gear, ensuring a versatile sound palette for every project. We also specialise in film and animation sound design, working on acclaimed productions for major networks and festivals. Our commitment to technical excellence and creative collaboration makes us a trusted partner in the industry.
Services
Recording
Mixing
Mastering
AV Production
Drum Tracking
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- Established in 1995 with over 25 years of industry expertise.
- State-of-the-art equipment for recording, mixing, and mastering.
- Proven track record across music, film, and animation projects.
- Collaborative team of producers, engineers, and session musicians.
- Customised solutions for both local and international clients.
Services
Recording
Our facility offers high-quality recording sessions with vintage and modern microphones, pre-amps, and outboard gear. Acoustically treated rooms ensure optimal sound capture, while our team guides artists through live band sessions or remote collaborations. Clients benefit from decades of engineering expertise and tailored approaches to diverse musical genres.
Mastering
We deliver polished masters using world-class hardware and software, optimised for various playback systems. Services include format conversion (MP3, WAV, DDP) and analogue-to-digital transfers. Our mastering process enhances sonic clarity and consistency, ensuring professional results for digital platforms and physical media.
AV Production
We provide comprehensive audio post-production for film and animation, including sound design, ADR, and surround mixing. Our work appears in major series and festivals, with tools like Izotope RX8 for noise reduction and Source Connect for remote voiceover sessions.
Drum Tracking
Eatsleepdrums offers professional drum tracking with session musicians and engineering expertise. Services range from groove templates to full percussion tracks across genres. Drum kits and boutique amps are available, with optional engineer support for client drummers.
Mixing
Our mixing services blend technical precision with creative insight, using premium plugins and hardware. Engineers accommodate diverse genres and offer online mixing for external recordings. Sessions ensure balanced dynamics and spatial clarity for stereo or 5.1 surround formats.
People
Rory
Studio Manager & Producer
Rory has managed Blast Furnace since 1995, with over 25 years in music and AV production. He produces across genres and connects clients with industry professionals. As a gigging musician, he brings artistic insight to studio sessions.
Mik
Engineer & Producer
Mik transitioned from assistant engineer to producer, working with global artists as a front-of-house engineer. His expertise spans live sound and studio production, ensuring adaptable support for diverse musical styles at Blast Furnace.
Mark Donnelly
Recording Engineer
Mark specialises in drum recording, combining 20 years as a session drummer with engineering skills. His work includes national radio broadcasts and collaborations with high-profile artists, focusing on capturing dynamic performances in our studio.
Questions
What services do you offer for musicians?
We provide recording, mixing, mastering, and drum tracking, with access to vintage gear and acoustic spaces. Our team supports live sessions and remote collaborations.
Can you work on film or animation projects?
Yes - we offer sound design, ADR, and mixing for film/animation, including 5.1 surround formats. Past clients include major networks like Netflix and BBC.
Do you accept remote mixing or mastering requests?
Yes - we handle online mixing/mastering projects globally. File delivery details are available via email consultation.
What equipment is available in the studio?
Our gear includes Neumann microphones, API pre-amps, Genelec monitors, and software from Waves and iZotope, alongside analogue consoles and boutique amplifiers.
Is drum tracking available for session musicians?
Yes - Eatsleepdrums offers drum recording services with professional session players and engineering support, including groove templates and multi-track recording.
How do you ensure audio quality for film projects?
We use industry-standard tools like izotope RX8 for noise reduction and Source Connect for remote sessions, ensuring broadcast-ready audio for film and TV.
Reviews (6)
Lisa Mcb
Sep 08, 2021
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We had the best few days recording our album with Rory! So relaxed but so professional! Our 2nd time in here & both times the finished product turned out top class! He truly captured the authentic old American country sound we were after! Highly recommend his studio. Cozy environment & has a great atmosphere for any artist. Can't wait for our next session in the near future! Thank you Rory!
Deirdriu Murray
Sep 30, 2020
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Visited here for the second time in a year to record some lovely relaxation tracks for my clients. Rory is so relaxed, friendly and efficient - very skilled at what he does. Such an easy process. Would highly recommend!!!
Fergal Corscadden
Jul 14, 2019
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Always an absolute pleasure. Rory Donaghy, chief engineer, and producer is a fantastic human being. We love you Rory!
Siobhan Shiels
Jan 11, 2019
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The Blast Furnace is a haven for creativity. Rory always gets the very best out of us with patience and craic. I've recorded numerous projects with Rory and I'll be back again. The facilities are quality and his demeanor makes for truey enjoyable sessions.
David McCann
Nov 15, 2018
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Wholeheartedly recommend Blast Furnace. The Sandrunners are just getting our second album here mastered. Great set-up with the various rooms and equipment, and Rory is a highly talented and professional producer.
Also, it's never a chore - looking forward to next time!
Also, it's never a chore - looking forward to next time!
Adam Leonard
Oct 05, 2018
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Top notch. Friendly, flexible, professional. The album we (Invaderband) recorded there got plenty of national radio play and was shortlisted for the NI Music Prize 2017. Highly recommended.
