The Studio at New Bag End

Beyond the reference to J. R. R. Tolkien’ Bag End, a hobbit hole built into a hill, the house where Cetra Records is based is likewise built into the side of a hill, hence the name New Bag End. As one of the rooms is set well into the hill, and without windows, it’s perfect for isolation and some acoustic prep. That’s the recording room. The control room is across the hall, looking south across the Duoro valley.

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Gear

At the heart of our modest Studio at New Bag End is a MacBook Pro (soon to be upgraded to an M4 MacMini Pro) connected to an RME Fireface UFX II interface. 

    • A matched pair of Josephson C-42s (small condenser)

    • AEA N22 Ribbon Mic

    • Lewitt LCT 440 Pure (large condenser)

    • Red 5 Audio RV6 (large condenser)

    • Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

    • Sennheiser HD 25

    • Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs

Instruments

We have some interesting instruments at The Studio at New Bag End, all of which are available for sessions at the studio.

  • Original Longman & Broderip Cetra (2)

  • Original Preston Cetra

  • Preston Cetra copy by Diogo Valente

  • Modern Cetra, original design by Diogo Valente

  • 7-course Cistre copy by Carlo Cecconi

  • Gibson of Dublin Cetra copy by Roberto Gabrielli

  • Corsican Cetera by Christian Magdalene

  • Diatonic Renaissance Cittern by Malcolm Prior

  • DeLuccia Mandoloncello

  • Modern Baritone Cittern by Ian Chisholm

  • Modern Cittern by Ian Chisholm

  • Vintage Cittern/Banjo [Banjola] by John Dallas

Also available is a very nice Harwood parlor guitar, plus acoustic guitars and a mandolin built by Ian Chisholm.