About

We strive to provide an immersive and collaborative experience to help you reach your artistic potential.

About us

Studio Forty Two is a small but powerful studio in the heart of Edinburgh City Centre. Located a 2 minute walk from Haymarket Station it places Studio Forty Two at an ideal location for creatives commuting from farther afield.

Studio Forty Two came about through Barry and Cathal nerding out over guitar and studio gear. With a mutual love for all things guitar and music production, Barry and Cathal have different areas of specialty making Studio Forty Two a versatile space for ensuring all projects are welcomed with ambition and enthusiasm.

Our Producers

Cathal Murphy

Cathal Murphy is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer specialising in genres such as funk, jazz, soul, pop, RnB and folk.

Cathal has written and produced music for Amazon Prime Films, BBC animations and AerLingus adverts alongside soundtracks for films with awards and nominations at prestigious festivals such as The National Film Awards, Chicago Film Festival, and the London Independent Film Festival.

Cathal has written and produced tracks that have gained radio play across BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Northern Ireland (TV and Radio), BBC Solent, BBC Rapal and RTE Radio.

As a musician he has performed on ABC News (U.S), BBC Radio 2, BBC Northern Ireland and TG4. He has been able to tour extensively across the UK, Europe and the U.S. Cathal has also collaborated and toured alongside renowned musicians such as Ariel Posen, Charlie Stacey and has recorded alongside BAFTA winning composer Ellie Wyatt and 3 time Juno Winner Chris Tarry.

“Oozing jazz, funk, soul - I saw him play a couple of weeks ago in Belfast and he killed it.. and yes his voice is that good in real life”

Gemma Bradley

BBC Radio 1

“Cathal recorded three songs for ‘The Songs You’ve Never Heard’ album which accompanies a YA novel by the same title. He is both an excellent singer and guitarist, and an all round talented, intuitive musician. He is reliable and friendly and I highly recommend working with him.”

ELLIE WYATT

BAFTA winning songwriter/composer

Barry O'Connell

Barry is a dynamic and inventive audio engineer and music producer. Graduating with First Class Honours from MTU Cork School of Music and obtaining an MSC in Sound Design from the esteemed University of Edinburgh, they embarked on a journey that would lead them to become a multi-faceted expert in the field of audio. Their exceptional talent as a multi-instrumentalist and proficiency in various digital audio workstations have consistently set them apart.

They have contributed their talents to a diverse range of projects, working as an Assistant Engineer on the Young Offenders Movie, recording the Irish Jazz Orchestra alongside Eduardo Moreira and performing with the CSM big band at prestigious venues such as NYC’s Columbia University and Jazz Standard. As well as that, Their passion for crafting immersive audio experiences led them to work in game engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Wwise, where they excelled in sound design and music composition, elevating gaming experiences to new heights.

With an impressive list of achievements, Barry has mixed award-winning indie film Piece by Piece, proving their prowess in delivering top-notch sound for cinematic experiences. They’ve also showcased their talents as an audio engineer, recording drums for a track featuring the legendary Rod Stewart.

Barry’s creative ingenuity extends beyond film and music, as evidenced by their role in designing and executing a successful show that runs seven days a week. Their work as the Head of Sound and Production Supervisor at Raglan Road Orlando, Disney World, has made a lasting impact on countless audiences. Furthermore, as one the founders of the Future Flavours Of Sound Festival, Barry has brought together a community of like-minded artists and sound enthusiasts, fostering a space for innovation and collaboration.

Finally, as an External Examiner for the MSC CSM Music and Technology program, Barry actively contributes to the growth and development of aspiring audio professionals, ensuring that the industry’s future is in capable hands.

“The sublime melodies within flow with an undercurrent of heartfelt sincerity portrayed through supple guitar plucks and elegant piano. A combination of which is a joy to listeners’ ears.”

Indie Buddie

“Immediately we are shown the high standard of instrumentation that his tracks have become known for as we are treated to bouncing electric and acoustic guitar riffs to carry the song forward, assisted by lively bass and drumming patterns.”

Covert Music Club

Industry-Standard Equipment

Our studio is equipped with state-of-the-art microphones, preamps, soundproof booths, and audio processing gear, ensuring crystal-clear sound and exceptional recording quality. We have had work commissioned for productions for companies such as the BBC, ensuring that your voice is captured with perfect clarity and depth.

Experienced Engineers

With years of experience working across various industries. From writing for film and TV to game composition and sound design, we’ll guide you through the process, helping you to achieve the exact performance you or your company envision.

What our clients say about us

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 73 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Clairy Plenty 
 
 
 
  My experience at Studio Forty Two Music was extremely positive. Barry really helped bring my track to life and made the entire process easy and we had such a great day. I'd highly recommend!
  
 
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   Sophie Dutton 
 
 
 
  My band chose to record our first song here and it was a great experience. Cathal is extremely helpful and supportive and made it such a fun environment to record in.
  
 
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   Cissy Fraser 
 
 
 
  Had a great time recording here - amazing vibe all round and Cathal was so friendly and helpful!
  
 
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   sixteen again 
 
 
 
  We chose to record our song here. We had chosen to do our first “separate” recording here and we felt really supported considering it’s our first time recording this way. Cathel is amazing, he is really encouraging and kind. The actual studio is really professional and comfortable. We highly recommend booking to record your song here.
  
 
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   Julia 
 
 
 
  Great vibe! The guys here were so fun and welcoming. Really enjoyed recording here with my band and would recommend for anyone wanting to record!
  
 
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   Hannah McNeill 
 
 
 
  My band and I chose here to record our song, and honestly we couldn’t have chosen better. The vibe inside the studio is outstanding, They really make you feel at home and comfortable. I highly recommend this recording studio, Thanks again Cathel! ❤️
  
 
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   amanda fascia 
 
 
 
  Girls had an amazing time, Cathal so patient and kind. Definitely recommend, great studio
  
 
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   Danny Gilbert 
 
 
 
  Cathal is a lovely guy and a fantastic producer, he had some brilliant ideas and made sure to take time and get everything spot on!
  
 
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   Andrew Armstrong 
 
 
 
  From the very start of the session, Cathal was warm, kind and friendly and made me feel comfortable within the studio environment. The studio itself had a very chill vibe and was also well set up for recording. To say that Cathal knew what he was doing would be a massive understatement. It was obvious from the start of recording that he is a true master of his craft and a talented musician. He was patient and happy to give tips/advice when asked, and put considerable effort into detail in ensuring that my track could sound as good as possible. After the initial recording of the track, Barry was thorough and professional in how he mixed and mastered it, always paying close attention to detail and ensuring new mixes were sent over to me ontime. I would 110% recommend Studio Forty Two to anyone looking to record their music.
  
 
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   Jacob Khalil 
 
 
 
  Stepping into this studio is a musically enriching experience. As a piano player I specifically loved the beautifully restored vintage upright piano. Truly one of a kind  with a special touch and tone. The producer/owner Cathal is one of the most musical people I’ve ever worked with. His ability to access and understand different sonic worlds is so inspiring. I look forward to going back and working on more music very soon.