About Depot Sound
DEPOT Sound offers a friendly, professional and affordable studio for musicians, authors and artists of all genres. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned touring musician or band, an author or a podcaster our talented team of experienced producers can take your project to the next level.
Our studio is set up for high quality multi-track recording, ideal for producing broadcast quality band recordings, podcasts, audiobooks, and mixing audio for video. The control room is spacious and comfortable with enough room for bands or production companies who want to be part of the recording or mix session.
Over the years DEPOT Sound has evolved to become a one stop shop for music recording and audio postproduction. Situated in picturesque Te Hau Kapua – Devonport near to the waterfront, we’re easily accessible by car or ferry from central Auckland.
Nathaniel Selway
Lead Engineer
Nate is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. After graduating as valedictorian from SAE Auckland, Nate began working at Warner Brothers International Television Production NZ. As well as completing an internship at Roundhead Studios, while also working at SAE Auckland as a studio supervisor. Throughout his career, Nate has collaborated with numerous artists. He has recorded, mixed and produced for acts such as Marianne Leigh, Sabreen Islam, Lavender, Bad Bishop, Wednesday’s Girlfriend and Norina Merkabah. He has also worked on recordings for LAB and Bailey Wiley. Nate is a skilled engineer, with meticulous attention to detail and a broad knowledge of the industry, offering every client a rewarding and successful experience.
Tim Bern
Studio Manager
Tim brings over two decades of international music industry experience to his role at DEPOT Sound, combining a global network with a deep commitment to supporting local artists. His career spans music supervision, artist management, publishing, and launching the music platform DISCO, which transformed catalog management for thousands of industry professionals worldwide. Through his work with DISCO, he has collaborated with major and independent record labels, film and TV studios, and some of the world’s most influential entertainment businesses, including Netflix, Apple, Sony, Universal, Sub Pop, Mushroom, Concord, and many more. At DEPOT Sound, Tim applies this high-level industry knowledge to lead strategic growth for the studio, build partnerships across the music, arts, and education sectors, and connect local talent with national and international networks. From mentoring and workshops to showcases and industry introductions, his focus is on amplifying DEPOT’s role as a hub for music-making, collaboration, and creative career development, helping local artists extend their vision and reach onto the world stage.
Studio One
Open and luxurious, DEPOT Sound is the perfect space for multitrack recording, with a large window into the live roomand seating up to 8. Featuring 32 channels of Antelope conversion, we can comfortablyrecord full bands, live drum kits, and other assorted musical ensembles in the adjacent live room. Through lines into the control rooms also permit the isolation of vocals, acoustic instruments, or loud guitar amps.
The live room also doubles as a perfect rehearsal space, featuring a separate mixer, PA system, and a selection of live mics to help bring your rehearsal to the next level.
Studio Gear List
Desk & Monitoring
- Ekadek 12-track desk
- Dynaudio BM15a monitors
Audio Interface & Preamps
- Antelope Orion 32+
- Audient ASP880
- CAPI VP25 (x4)
- AML ez1084-500 (x2)
- Lindell Audio 7x-500 FET compressors (x2)
Outboard & Misc
- DBX166 stereo compressor
- Roland GP16 Guitar FX Processor
- SWR M2 Marcus Miller bass preamp
- KORG DTR 2000 Digital Tuner
- Behringer P16 Personal Mixers (x4)
Microphones
- WA47
- Vanguard V13
- Rode NT2000, M5
- Apex 460 (x2)
- Beezneez Lulu (x2, KM184 clone)
- AKG D112, D3700
- Audix i5 (x2)
- Shure Beta 56a, Beta 58a
- Sennheiser e904 (x2)
- Audio-Technica AT2020
Instruments
- 1969 Hayman Vibrasonic Drum Kit (12×8, 13×9, 14×14, 20×13)
- Vox AC30C2
- Fender Stratocaster (MIJ Traditional 60’s)
- Fender Precision Bass (MIJ Hybrid II)
- Martin Road Series 000 Acoustic Guitar
- Vintage Cremona Upright Piano
- Arturia Keylab Essential 61
Computer & Software
- 2017 iMac 27” i7, 32GB RAM + Dell 27” Monitor
- Pro Tools 2023, Logic Pro X
- Waves, Auto-Tune, Avid Complete, Melodyne, Soothe2
Additional Gear (via Nate Selway – Producer)
Mics: OC818 (x2), NT55 (x2)
Instruments: Fender Jazz Bass (MIJ), LTD B4EMNS Bass, Korg Prologue 16, Korg D1 Digital Piano, Kala Ukulele, Cajon, Kalimba
Computer: 2020 M1 Mac Mini, 16GB RAM
Software: Waves Gold, Soundtoys, iZotope Neutron/Nectar/Ozone/RX, Melodyne, Serum, Valhalla, Slate Trigger2, Sound Radix Auto-Align, UADx 1176/LA-2A, Vocalign
Rehearsal Room
- Mackie 808S 8-channel mixer
- Mackie C300 PA (x2)
- Shure C606 (x2)
- Spirit VM01
- Audio-Technica MB 1k (x2)
Music Recording
Whether you’re an up and coming singer songwriter, an indie band, or a jazz trio, DEPOT Sound is here to record your music. With a spacious live room featuring great line-of-sight into the adjacent isolation booth, and a collection of vintage and modern instruments at your disposal, we are more than prepared to bring your musical vision to life. Please enquire with our in-house engineers to begin your project with us.
Mixing
At DEPOT Sound, we possess the expertise to transform your raw tracks into a polished, cohesive, and radio-ready stereo mix. Join our in-house engineers to witness your track’s vision come to life.
Click here for our all-important Mixing Checklist.
Audiobooks
Record your audiobook in comfort at DEPOT Sound, with high quality studio recording and professional editing, proofing, and voiceover services available. We can assist you from simply recording or editing to a full turn-key audiobook production.
Podcasts
DEPOT Sound, with its expansive multi-room studio setup, is ready to accommodate all your podcast needs, from solo monologues to co-hosted shows and discussion panels. Let our highly skilled in-house engineers handle your podcast’s technical requirements, allowing you to concentrate on delivering your message.
Post-Production
Our accessible mixing services cover stereo and 2.1 audio in video production, coupled with expertise in dialogue editing, ADR integration, and comprehensive audio repairs. We ensure a seamless and immersive sound experience, providing a one-stop solution for your diverse audio needs in visual storytelling.
Audio Repair
DEPOT Sound has the capability to transfer and preserve your old cassettes, ¼” tapes, and CDs, as well as use the range of tools available to us to clean noisy dialogue recordings and other audio files. Please enquire below to see how we can help you.
DEPOT Live
Recorded at DEPOT Sound
Over the years, Depot Sound has supported countless young and emerging artists through a range of creative programmes. We are always looking to build on past initiatives, as their impact continues to shape our work and inspire new projects.
Schools Songwriting Competition 2025
DEPOT Sound is excited to present our 6th annual Schools Songwriting Competition — now expanded from the North Shore to include all Intermediate and Secondary students across Tāmaki Makaurau. This competition celebrates young voices, creativity and original music, and offers real industry-pathways: winners receive professional studio recording time at DEPOT Sound and the possibility of representation by a Los Angeles-based sync agency.
We’re incredibly lucky to have Electric Kiwi as our sponsoring partner, supporting the next generation of songwriters to create, record, and share their work.
More Info
Previous Programmes & Collaborations
Professional Development Workshop
DEPOT Sound presents a Professional Development Workshop tailored for emerging recording artists, songwriters and producers looking to advance their careers in music.
Featuring a lineup of three incredible recording artists and producers, we’re hosting a massive kōrero, with hands-on modules and discussions—and we want you there with us! Gain real-world insights from our industry-professional facilitators and practical knowledge from their ongoing work. Discuss the important tasks that artists and producers actually do behind-the-scenes. We’ll delve into their stories, exploring what works and what doesn’t, and will provide feedback and guidance for your trajectory.
Songwriting Workshops
DEPOT Sound is proud to present a collaborative and hands-on workshop designed for emerging songwriters seeking to elevate their craft and career in music.
Ideal for budding songwriters, this initiative aims to deepen your music industry knowledge, grow your confidence, forge vital connections and nurture your talent in a supportive environment. With access to DEPOT Sound’s recording studios and feedback from industry professionals, you’ll expand your skills, confidence, and networks.
Audio Production Workshop
In collaboration with the WE MAKE NOISE network, this gender-inclusive workshop aims to provide a supportive space for young women and gender-diverse individuals to explore their creativity in audio technology.
Audiobooks
Depot Sound is the North Shore’s premier recording studio facility, offering authors and publishers a range of high-quality affordable services and resources for audiobook production. Depot Sound recently recorded Willy De Wit’s Drink, Smoke, Snort, Stroke audiobook, read by David Downs and Willy himself.
We are proud to offer a wide array of high-quality audiobook services, from basic recording or editing all the way through to turn-key productions featuring professional voice-over artists, suitable for both local and international productions. Our clientele spans from emerging authors to seasoned professionals, corporate customers, and individuals initiating their own projects. With our recording and post-production services, we handle the project from recording and editing to mixing and mastering to ensure the final product meets technical requirements and sounds polished.
Each project will be quoted according to the needs of the project but we pride ourselves on delivering affordable quality services.
Depot Live
Depot Live aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for emerging and established artists to perform live in an intimate studio setting or the large gallery space. Performances and events can be recorded and filmed through Depot Sound, allowing for wider reach and connection while also engaging directly and more intimately with local audiences. We welcome proposals from artists across all disciplines and are open to working collaboratively with creatives to see how we can best support their artistic endeavours.
Contact Us
Women About Sound
Women About Sound, founded and coordinated by Jess Haugh, is a New Zealand initiative supporting women and gender-diverse individuals in honing their songwriting skills and gaining performance experience. It aims to empower these artists and contribute to a flourishing music industry while serving as a safe and inclusive space.
The project offers mentorship, workshops and events, building a support network and creating opportunities for female and non-binary musicians to record and develop their own music.
North Shore Schools Songwriting Competition
The DEPOT Sound North Shore Schools Songwriting Competition, presented in association with NZ Music Month has become an invaluable opportunity for young musicians and songwriters in the local community.
Divided into two divisions for intermediate and high-school age participants, the competition offers a chance to win recording time at DEPOT Sound recording studio. Renowned industry legends serve as judges and mentors, providing valuable feedback and expertise. The competition’s focus is on creating opportunities for emerging musicians to develop skills, industry knowledge, and confidence in a professional music production environment, addressing the cost barrier often faced by young creatives. The competition also fosters networking and relationship-building opportunities for entrants through events and interactions with the DEPOT Sound staff.
Toi Toi Manawa
Toi Toi Manawa is a collaborative industry development program that aims to empower emerging musicians in New Zealand. It is a six-week initiative delivered by Awhi Creative in partnership with DEPOT Sound, supported by New Zealand Music Commission led and facilitated by Taisha Tari. The programme provides hands-on workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The program focuses on developing participants’ skills, confidence, and business acumen while infusing Te Ao Maori cultural elements. Its ultimate goal is to equip the next generation of musicians with practical abilities and a sustainable career path in the music industry.
Our Partners
Resources
Article Series: Going Global 2025
September 9, 2025
DEPOT Sound Lead Engineer Nate Selway and Studio Manager Tim Bern spent a couple of days at the Going Global Music Summit in Auckland last week and the conversations there reminded them how much common ground there is in building a music career.
Book Your Session
For any queries about Depot Sound Recording Studio, you can Email Us with an enquiry or call on on (021) 685 070
Please note: email is preferred as we are often in session.
