Today we’d like to introduce you to Al Folk.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I really got started as a result of being a drummer. Every time any project I was in went into the studio, I was mesmerized by all the gear. I was always interested in what It all did and was constantly asking questions. Throughout the years I became friends with many engineers and people in the production business. Some of these people became great mentors as well as friends.
I decided to get my first round of recording gear while in LA during the ninety’s. At the time, I wasn’t happy with the sound I was getting in other studios and decided to take the plunge and start a private studio with my bassist Jojo Zarrillo. It would become the first build-out that I was involved in. This is really where I took the first major steps in understanding signal flow and troubleshooting. Fast forward to the early 2,000’s, I was back in Columbus where I would end up working for Thornapple Sound. Both Steve Carter, (owner) and Russ Keeney (chief engineer) ended up teaching me a ton there. Thornapple was both a recording studio and live sound reenforcement company, so I got a chance to learn and experience both sides of the industry. Many years of ups and downs and life changes would see me sell my equipment and get out of engineering. However, the bug to have my own place never left me.
Several years before the pandemic, I was living in West Virginia. While playing down there, I started acquiring equipment again. Also, It was my real first foray into DAW systems. I pretty much went nuts accumulating stuff. This became painfully apparently when it was time to rent a trailer and move back to Ohio. I spent a number of days scratching my head while packing, wondering how I had so much stuff.
One of the primary reasons for relocating back to Ohio was to spend time and take care of my parents. Both had reached the age of declining health and I felt I needed to be there. It was a decision I truly feel blessed to have made. After their passing, It was time for me to figure out where I wanted to land. Eventually, I purchased a property in northern Ross county that had a separate building on it that I could convert to a studio. With one of my best friends Eric Leary, we converted the building into what would become Folk Audio. After construction was completed, there was the trip to Sweetwater for some of the bigger toys. This was followed by final wiring, testing, and troubleshooting which was completed at the end of 2024.
Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with some great players from Columbus, West Virginia, and Southern Ohio. I looking forward to meeting many more…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Most of the struggles were construction related. For example, when removing part of a raised floor, we discovered that there was no concrete underneath it. Things like that throw a wrench into the best of plans. However, this is not uncommon in construction. Frustrating, but not uncommon.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Folk Audio is an owner opperated recording studio offering tracking, mixing, and mastering services. My mission is to stay true to more of the old school methods of recording. For example, I try and avoid sample replacement in favor of working to get the desired tones going in. Therefore, I’m tend to be best suited to bands/artists that are looking for organic sounding recordings. I primarily get clients via referral and I’m appointment based. I’m proud of and enjoy working with artists/bands to try and realize their vision. I offer a comfortable and relaxing environment with the ability to host players at the house. This comes in useful for out of town clients as well as those looking to minimize distractions.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
That’s difficult to say, especially with all the debate about AI. There have been so many major shifts since I first started going into studios. Now, the gear is become more accessible and has made the business of having a commercial studio more difficult, but there is still a place for them. There is a difference when you combine an experienced engineer and top shelf equipment. That said, you better really love doing it, because you’re probably not gonna get rich. Now, with the arrival of AI, there is all kinds of worry about creatives being put out of business. However, when I think about it drummers had the same trepidation about drum machines. We’re still around. I’m not saying that new technology won’t have any effect on the business. I just believe that in the end, people will still want to hear and see music written and performed by people. It’s a form of how we connect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://folkaudio.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/folkaudiostudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/folkaudio
