Leading Connecticut Production Studio Moves up to Yamaha

When artists, broadcasters, software designers and other creative professionals need high-end sound production facilities in central Connecticut, they're likely to head to Tapeworks in Hartford. This summer, owner Doug Kupper chose a Yamaha C6 conservatory grand piano for its main recording studio.

Compared to the piano it replaced, Kupper says, "This one is getting a lot more attention. I wanted what I felt was a better sounding instrument; we played dozens of them, and this is the one that felt right to us. This is a piano I can sell to my clients."

Tapeworks owner Doug Kupper

The 29-year-old studio has boasted recording artists like Tori Amos, Dr. John and The Wallflowers among its clients during the last year, in addition to a steady trade with video game producers and broadcasters like ESPN.

"All players love a great piano, and there isn't an instrument like this in a recording studio anywhere in the state of Connecticut," Kupper notes. "You'd have to go to New York City or Boston, and pay a lot of money for recording time, to find a piano that's comparable to this one."

"The clarity throughout the range was astounding, but as soon as the left hand came into play, that was it," Kupper recalls. "The depth and growl of the bass on this piano is what a good recording person dreams about. The minute we heard it, we knew."

"I've had classical, jazz and blues-rock players play it so far, and it seems to bend to the wishes of the player," he elaborates. "It has the balance for classical music and the subtlety you need for jazz. But then when a blues player pounds on it, it's very responsive."

Kupper says the new Yamaha C6 has become a focal point in the way he markets his services to elite artists. "We've actually been toying with the idea of throwing an event for it," he says. "We'll invite area jazz and pop musicians, have some wine and cheese and let them check out the piano."

 

 

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