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Hapé Sound: A Recording Studio in East Galway Hapé Sound is my recording studio based in Kylebrack, near Loughrea in East Galway. It’s in a quiet rural area, ten minutes from Loughrea Lake and five minutes from the Slieve Aughty forest, about 40 minutes from Galway city and two hours from Dublin. I first opened a studio back in 2002, known then as Shay’s Studio. For ten years it served local and international musicians with recording, mixing, and editing. After closing it to the public for 12 years, I reopened in 2024 under the new name Hapé Sound. The new space carries forward the same philosophy: honest, natural sound, with an emphasis on helping each artist express their vision. My role is to guide the process so the final recording comes as close as possible to what the artist imagines in their mind. What the Studio Offers Hapé Sound is equipped for a wide variety of projects: Full recording sessions for bands, solo artists, and ensembles Mixing tracks recorded elsewhere Mobile recording on-site in halls, churches, or rehearsal spaces Voice-over recording in Irish, delivered by a fluent native speaker from the Aran Islands The studio features a Yamaha grand piano, a Yamaha Recording Custom drum kit, and a carefully chosen collection of microphones, including a Neumann U87, one of the most respected microphones in the world, complemented by high-quality preamps and converters. Together these tools ensure recordings that are clear, detailed, and true to the performance. Mobile Recording Not every project belongs in a traditional studio room. For choirs, traditional groups, or live performances, I provide a mobile recording service. This brings the same microphones and expertise to the client’s own space, capturing performances in their natural environment. Voice-Over in Irish Another distinctive service is voice-over in Irish (Gaeilge). Working with a fluent native speaker from the Aran Islands, the studio delivers narration, advertising, and educational recordings in authentic Irish. It’s a niche offering that combines professional audio quality with cultural value. Why Artists Choose Hapé Sound Artists come here for several reasons. Some appreciate the peaceful location, away from city noise. Others value the equipment and instruments, which support both acoustic and modern styles. Many are drawn to the flexibility of in-studio and mobile options. And all benefit from more than twenty years of experience in recording. The most important reason, though, is the approach: this is a studio focused on the artist’s ideas. My role is not to impose a sound but to support each project so the finished recording reflects what the musician truly wants to express. Booking and Contact Musicians and organizations interested in working with Hapé Sound can find details at www.hapesound.ie. The website includes photos, equipment lists, and examples of past projects. Sessions can be arranged for single days, multiple days with nearby accommodation, or on-site mobile recording. Conclusion Hapé Sound is a professional recording studio in East Galway offering recording, mixing, mobile sessions, and Irish voice-over. Set in a quiet countryside location close to both Galway and Dublin, the studio combines high-end equipment with a personal commitment to helping artists realize their creative vision. For more information or to book a session, visit www.hapesound.ie. Testimonials Shay Leon is one of the best sound engineers with whom we have worked. He is patient, dedicated and constantly thinks outside the box. He is one of the few engineers that does not impose his own views on how a musician or singer should sound. Instead, he works to deliver the sound that his clients seek. He has a relaxed and easy going presence that immediately puts performers at ease. Paul Quin, Noiz Entertainment LTD Shay Leon was utterly committed to our project, even though it was on a shoestring budget, wholly uncommercial and had actors-cum-singers recording for the first time. He went above and beyond the call of duty to make us feel relaxed, really enjoy the recording process, and get the best out of us as performers. Shay’s enthusiasm and expertise ensured our satisfaction with the EP “The Music of Bonny and Read”. We commend him highly, and can’t wait to work with him again! Moonfish Theatre Company