text & photos by Barry Newman
Copyright 2001 - Cosmic Debris Musicians Magazine - Issue #72 - April, 2001
Songwriter/guitarist Zak Cohen has been
a busy guy lately... and it isn't gigs or writing
which have been taking up all of his time.
Engineering & recording production, con-struction and fine-tuning at his new studio
The Woodshop has become a full-time job
for Zak... to the extent that he recently had
to leave his sales position at Duncan Music.
Several years ago, Zak was recording his
own material using a 4-track Fostex unit (I
recall listening to some nifty Satriani-style
tunes which he played for me on his car
stereo outside the Black Swan jam). He
quickly outgrew that gear and in the
summer of '98, needed to make a demo for
his band, Ed.
So Zak rented an ADAT, a small mixer
and several mics. In his garage, he
attempted to make the album with no
isolation booths, at one point using headphones - in conjunction with earplugs -
to record the drums (if only Erik Anderson
had used brushes!).
It was around this time that Zak hooked
up with singer/songwriter Brian Clark, who
helped him to acquire some better recording
gear. Shortly after, Zak's wife Andrea
agreed to let Zak set up in the master
bedroom beside the garage. With two
rooms now, Zak bit the bullet, went on yet
another spending spree and started Upward
Audio Works (the U.A.W.!!).
He operated out of that location for two
years, acquiring more experience (and more
gear)... finding steady work making demos
and soundtracks (including 'Wisdom of The
River' - a history of the Cowichan River as
told by tribal elders).
In the summer of 2000, Zak put every-thing on hold to construct his new studio in
a 1200-square-foot industrial wordworking
shop (hence the title The Woodshop) at his
home on the pastural Richard's Trail in the
North Cowichan Valley.
With help from local soundman Jim Kent
(Lisen Studios, Port Theatre, Mission
Control Systems), Zak completely gutted
the building and started from scratch.
By November, The Woodshop was a fully-functioning facility; and by February,
included a lounge, a washroom, and
numerous finishing touches. It's a spacious,
bright working environment.
Among the features at The Woodshop:
a Sound Craft console / Mackie console /
vast mic selection / tube mic preamps
Out-board gear: Lexicon & DBX / 16-tracks live-to-ADAT / 32-tracks w/automation
Extensive computer-editing & processing: dual
Yamaha DSP Audio cards (providing
processing & mix capabilities of Yamaha's
02R Digital Mixer) / Mackie HR824 powered
studio monitors / numerous guitars
(including a vintage Martin D-35 and
Telecaster) / various amps (Marshall,
Fender, Rivera) / Fender Jazz bass /
Yamaha Recording Custom Drumkit /
extensive network of available musicians /
a relaxed environment...
Artists and recording projects using Zak's
facility & skills have included: Wave; Alf
Carter (Dixieland music w/ Karen Carter &
Borgy Borgerson); The Medford Singers
(on location at Christian Reformed Church);
Arbutus Ridge Chorale w/ The Cowichan
Concert Band (included 60 voices & piano);
iRis (new release being produced by Zak);
Scott Douglas; and countless demos...
Zak has worked in numerous bands,
beginning with Mill Bay's Most Dangerous
Band (Eugene Finnegan, Niki Neff, and
myself) in 1991; Skin Tuxedo (Jeff & Todd
Smiley, Erik Anderson); Thirst n' Howl
(Eugene Finnegan, Jim Kent); The Gene
Grooms Project (with various respected
R&B musicians); and Ed (Brad Lundquist,
Erik Anderson, JJ Charlebois).
Being an innovative songwriter and a
seasoned guitarist has proven to be an
asset with Zak's studio work... he's able to
provide qualified suggestions ranging from
guitar tone, amp settings and chord
structure... to the embellishment of various
hooks and arrangements.
For more info: (250) 746-4734 or: www.
members.home.net/woodshoprecording
Email: woodshoprecording@home.com
Songwriter/guitarist Zak Cohen has been
a busy guy lately... and it isn't gigs or writing
which have been taking up all of his time.