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ABOUT NICK BURCHALL
Nick is the co-owner and lead mastering engineer at Audio Animals, bringing over two decades of experience in mastering for some of the world’s biggest artists and films. He has established himself as one of the industry’s top mastering engineers across all genres.
The pride of Nick’s mastering studio is his £130,000 mastering chain, featuring the legendary UnFairchild 670m mk2, Shadow Hills Optograph compressor, and Elysia Alpha compressor, three of the industry’s most coveted compressors. By utilising this high-quality equipment in his distinctive manner, Nick achieves a sound that is truly unparalleled.
My name is Nick Burchall, and I was born in London in 1986. I established Audio Animals in October 2012 and have since had the pleasure of working on over twenty thousand mastering orders for a diverse range of clients, spanning every genre imaginable, from major Hollywood films and platinum-selling artists to first-time producers releasing their debut tracks.
Cliché as it may be, music has always been an integral part of my life. I began learning the violin at the age of seven and had the incredible experience of performing at the Royal Albert Hall. At twelve, I took up the piano, and by sixteen, I was exploring the guitar. My dynamic piano teachers provided me with a broad education in music, encompassing everything from classical to contemporary styles, as well as music theory, improvisation, and ear training. This solid foundation has proven invaluable in my career. I am grateful to my parents for exposing me to a wide range of musical tastes, which I draw upon daily while working with a vast variety of music from around the globe. This diversity is one of the aspects I love most about my job; no two days are the same.
During my teenage years, I began producing songs, recording friends, and mixing their music, which ignited my passion for sound engineering. It quickly became clear that music was my calling. After finishing school, I gained experience in various studios and attended evening classes in London to prepare for a Sound Engineering course at university. In 2004, I began my degree in Audio Technology and Innovation at DeMontfort University in Leicester. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, especially in my second year when the university unveiled a state-of-the-art complex of studios, including my favorite—the main studio, which featured a Solid State Logic AWS 900+ as its centrepiece. This marked the beginning of my love for the sound of SSL and high-end outboard equipment.
After graduating with a BSc, I also pursued a diploma in web design and development at Qantm College London (part of SAE), all while freelancing in various studios as a mixing and mastering engineer. My previous coding experience was expanded as I learned multiple programming languages and graphic design techniques, which I still apply today in building and maintaining our website and developing our own audio plugins and samplers.
In 2012, my cousin Paul and I decided to combine our personal studios, and through hard work and dedication, we have grown to form the Audio Animals studios you see today. Paul often describes us as the yin to each other’s yang, and that description perfectly captures our relationship. We grew up closely but developed different skill sets outside of music, which complement each other perfectly in running the business. I am grateful for Paul’s drive and passion in propelling the company forward.
Although I have a strong background in mixing, I have specialised over the last decade as the lead mastering engineer in Studio A at Audio Animals. I take pride in my showroom-level mastering chain, curated with the finest analogue mastering equipment available. I am always excited to work with new clients and build lasting relationships.
MASTERING TESTIMONIAL
“Nick perfectly balanced my track and I could clearly hear each instrument against the vocals, but still preserving the song’s dynamics. Everything had space. It didn’t matter what device I played the final master through, a laptop or Hi Fi – everything still sounded great and clear. Something that we all want when people listen to our music.” – Sam Cole
STEM MASTERING TESTIMONIAL
“I have had many many tracks mastered by Audio Animals. I’ve always been absolutely happy with the results. Mastered my own mixes in the past and these days I prefer to send it out to Nick to get it done. Comes back exactly as I wanted it! The most consistent team that there is. You know your work is in safe hands. Very reliable.” – Harry Mindgame
