Mike Lahaie, owner and operator of Northfork Recording Studio, established in 2000 at 900 Main St. in Val Caron, is expanding his present operation from 600 sq. ft. to 1800 sq. ft.
By Shirley Baxter -Valley Vision
The remodeled facility will include a main studio, control room and vocal room
three times larger, with additional digital and musical equipment to complement
the new studio. Mike has combined his passion for music in all its forms (composing
and writing lyrics, performing and recording) with what began as a hobby by
recording friends and friends of friends, to a full-fledged studio, whose present
expansion is expected to be completed by late July.
Mike Lahaie’s lifelong love of music and passion for the recording industry
began by performing with several Sudbury area bands. He was involved with Cranky
Joe’s Tsunami Relief Effort and continues to volunteer his time judging
Capreol’s Battle of the Bands and performing at Seniors’ residences.
A certified Audio Recording Engineer and Music Technologist, Mike has accreditation
in Recording
Techniques and Music Technology from City and Guilds College in London,
England, having studied there under Christopher Hambly, MA ODE and Ben Morgan,
MA Music Techology. He has also received instruction from Canadian artists Stephen
Fearing, Blair Packham, Terry Sawchuk, Dave Binini, Alfio Annibalini and Rick
Emmett of Triumph. Mike keeps up to date on the newest technology by networking
with peers and teachers in Dublin, Ireland, Great Britain and North Hollywood,
U.S.A., as a member of Music and Film in Motion, as well as the Sudbury Arts
Council, and as moderator for www.audiocourses.com, a forum for audio engineers.
The studio’s accomplishments include 2004’s unforgettable experience
recording St. Charles College’s presentation of Grease, audio engineering
of Footloose at St. Charles in April of this year, a local artist’s full
length CD created as a Christmas present, and the recording, during the past
two years, of several area elementary school choirs performing in their gymnasiums.
St. Charles College has accessed the services of Northfork in many areas, ranging
from the recording of live group performances to making a lasting legacy of
vocal and instrumental Kiwanis winners.
Mike Lahaie, owner and operator of Northfork Recording
Studio
In February of 2005, at its studios in Val Caron, Northfork introduced audio
engineering courses, ranging from learning the intricacies of the Mixing Board
to using a computer to record.
Northfork has recorded Ontario artists from Churchill Falls to Sarnia. Its
internet access enables downloading and combining music from artists anywhere
in the world with local musicians/vocalists. The studio has been expanding its
wide range of services in both French and English, from re-recording LPs to
CD format for the original artists, to converting taped funeral services to
CDs. To develop unique and lasting auditory memorabilia, e-mail
info@northforkrecordingstudio.com or contact Mike Lahaie at
Northfork Recording Studio
900 Main St. E.
Val Caron, ON, P3N 1E8
(705) 897-6999
