BIG FAN
Morningside

BIG FAN is a not-for-profit, multi-purpose music space located in Morningside, Aotearoa New Zealand.

We offer three world-class, acoustically treated recording studios with top of the line gear in each including high end tube condenser microphones, Focal monitor speakers, and a collection of industry standard pre-amps. Each studio offers unique qualities such as a Yamaha Upright U3 Piano in studio 03 and an isolation booth in studio 01 perfect for drum tracking and band recording. We have a range of synths, guitars, basses, and software available for all types of music creation.

Our studios are built to feel comfortable and nonintimidating for first timers and established creatives alike, with our lounge and dining area offering a much needed space to unwind and recoup throughout sessions. Our goal at BIG FAN is to bring people together, to support the role of music in the betterment of people’s lives, and to foster the talents of musicians, songwriters and those behind the scenes, regardless of experience level.

Best for: Solo/duos

Christian Tjandrawinata
Pt Chevalier

Christian is a Tāmaki Makaurau-based music producer with over a decade of experience recording local and international artists. Known for his strong pop and indie production work, he’s also a versatile multi-instrumentalist. He works from a high-end studio (Parachute Studios & Pt Chev) ideal for solo or smaller group artists, equipped with premium gear and a wide range of software instruments and effects.

Best for: Solo/small groups (no drums)

Dan Martin
Kingsland

Dan Martin is a silver scroll winning producer, credited with 60 million streams and 700 million views on TikTok. Known for his versatility and vocal production, Dan excels across genres, whilst retaining a commercial spin. Some projects Dan has worked on include the Tik Tok hit "35" by Rob Ruha, which has 15 million streams and won him the Silver Scroll in 2022. He also has produced a number of songs for Australian pop artist Keenan Te, with his song "Overthinking about you" and "Temporary Love," both having 10 million streams.

Best for: Solo/duo

EDY
Morningside & Pt Chevalier

EDY is a 28-year-old producer based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Aotearoa (New Zealand). With over 130 million global streams across his portfolio, EDY gained major traction online in 2025, building a fanbase of 64K+ Instagram followers, 140K+ on TikTok, and reaching 2M+ monthly content engagements. His viral production sessions and TikTok Lives have earned interactions from Timbaland, Charlie Puth, Ty Dolla $ign, Kehlani, Jessie Reyez, Sean Kingston, and Wolftyla to name a few.

Best for: All

Mazbou Q
Manukau

UNCHAINED XL Studio is a boutique recording space located in the peaceful neighbourhood of Goodwood Heights. Purpose-built for solo artists and vocal-focused projects, the studio features an Austrian Audio OC818 microphone paired with premium outboard gear to capture pristine vocal takes. With a strong emphasis on vocal production and harmonies, sessions are led by Mazbou Q – an experienced producer and mentor known for drawing out powerful performances and creating polished, modern mixes across Hip Hop, Pop, Electronic and Fusion styles. The studio also supports guitar, bass (via digital amps), and solo instrument tracking, with an Ibanez 7-string guitar and 5-string bass available on-site.

Best for: Solo/duo

Roundhead
Eden Terrace

Roundhead is a recording studio shaped by musicians for musicians for recording, rehearsals, live streams, acoustic sessions and more. Conveniently based in central Auckland, every element of the studio has been carefully crafted to ensure that musical creativity is always the centre of attention. Our studios have recorded artists such as Lorde, P!NK, Kanye West, Lil Uzi Vert, Denzel Curry, Migos, Neil Finn, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Marlon Williams, Modest Mouse, Slowdive, Tiny Ruins and Crowded House. Boasting a 40ch Neve 8088 custom console and an API 1608 console, and a vast selection of recording equipment with cutting edge digital systems. The only studio in NZ with a Steinway Model D Grand plus additional selection of Lipp pianos, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Moog, Oberheim, Sequential Circuits, 1960s Fender guitars and amps, Vox AC30s and much much more!

Best for: All

Bigpop
Freemans Bay

Bigpop Studios offers world class music production and recording conveniently located in Auckland central. We offer three fantastic recording studio spaces in a welcoming and creative environment, ideal for emerging and experienced artists and musicians. Bigpop provides creators with a community within which to flourish. Our talented team of music engineers and producers are ready to work with you on your project.

Bigpop offers a long history of music recording and mixing experience. Artists that have recorded at Bigpop Studios include CHAII, Stan Walker, Jujulipps, Gin Wigmore, Boh Runga, Jess B, Kaylee Bell, Olivia Foa’i, Theia, Kings, 9 Lives, Isla Noon, Lani Purkis, Rodney Fisher, Majic Pāora, Ariel Wose, Arli Liberman, Beth Torrance, Awhimai Fraser, Jason Kerrison, Written by Wolves, Strawpeople, Che Fu, Riki Reid, The Feelers, Bailey Wiley and Niko Walters.

Our gear list is extensive, including the best mics, pre-amps and interfaces for recording vocals and instruments, as well as a Yamaha UX-3 Upright piano, a Tama Superstar drum kit, guitars and basses. We specialise in everything from acoustic and electronic production for solo artists and songwriters to full band recording and mixing.

Best for: All

Crescendo
Henderson

CRESCENDO is a social enterprise recording studio and all profits go towards funding youth music production programmes. Originally based in Avondale, we now have a brand new purpose built studio in Henderson, West Auckland. 

We specialise in recording young talent and create a supportive environment to bring the best out of people. Crescendo has three vocal studios and a larger live room to accommodate a range of recording styles and genres. Crescendo's producers include David Atai from Nesian Mystik, who has produced hundreds of songs over the years for youth that have come through Crescendo's youth music programmes. 

Best for: All

Depot Sound
Devonport

Depot Sound offers a welcoming studio space and an array of professional microphones and audio gear. We are a longtime Play it Strange collaborator and are looking forward to continuing our support for artists in 2025 and beyond. Our studio space is constantly evolving with our most recent addition being our custom made Ekadek. It sounds just as good as it looks. We have a spacious live-room for whole band recording and live drums also.

Best for: All

Jol Mulholland
Mt Eden

With over 20 years of experience, Jol Mulholland is a two-time Tui Award-winning producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Troy Kingi,  Tami Neilson, Anna Coddington, Daffodils, TE KAAHU, Park Rd and many more. Based in Auckland, he works from a fully equipped studio space that can accommodate projects ranging from solo artists to full bands, bringing a distinct sonic vision to music across pop, indie, orchestral and experimental genres.

Best for: All

The Lab
Mt Eden

The Lab is located in Mt Eden Village, and suits bands or ensembles, as it is a large space, with an extensive collection of vintage instruments and equipment that musicians may have only ever seen pictures of. 

Best for: Bands

Scott Seabright
Tuakau

My name is Scott Seabright. I'm a Grammy and Tui nominated engineer and producer based out of my Production Studio in Tuakau. My studio is small but mighty with lots of vintage and modern instruments and recording equipment. It's the perfect space for both bands and solo artists to feel comfortable being creative.

Best for: All

The Porch
Hamilton

The Porch is a recording studio in Hamilton, out by the Hamilton ZOO. I have been recording music out here since 2007. I specialise in recording / producing solo singer songwriters mainly. In a Play it Strange session we fully deep dive into your song and cook up unique ways to best present it. My aim is that your song will stand up tall in this modern-day music world. I have no limitations with musical genre and work in with the client to ensure that when they leave, they have something that not only sounds awesome but they have an awesome learning experience to better any future recording experiences. 

Best for: Solo singer-songwriter

Fragile Colours
Tauranga

The Colour Field Recording Studio has a good range of amps, guitars, basses and keyboards, a Yamaha C3 Conservatory Grand, plenty of mics, we’ve recently upgraded to a high-quality Pearl Masters 6 piece kit with a range of snare drums, great preamps and an extensive list of quality plugins.  There is a good size control room, large live room and 2 medium size amp booths.

Best for: All

Studio 11B
Mt Maunganui

Over the past five years we've recorded quite a few Play It Strange sessions.  Although we can do electronic music, we tend to work more with solo artists and full bands wanting to record vocals, acoustic instruments, and playing together as bands.  We have a great selection of drums, pianos, keyboards, organs, bass guitars, both acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers, and a collection of very nice mics.  We also try to keep a relaxed and easy-going vibe in the studio.   

Best for: All

Link Flamingo (Nathan Sowter)
Mt Maunganui

I'm a producer and mix engineer with over 20 years' experience, based in Mount Maunganui. My studio is best suited to singer-songwriters and pop/electronic artists. I use top-quality gear, including a Manley VoxBox vocal chain and a Reference C mic for pro-level vocals. I've worked with artists like Kora, Jackson Owens, and Frankie Venter, and I’m all about helping artists bring their songs to life in a relaxed, creative space. 

Best for: Solo singer-songwriter, pop and electronic

TE WHANGANUI A TARA - WELLINGTON

Studio Box Creative
Annesbrook

More info to come

Best for: 

Kahu S-B
Nelson/Wellington

Kia ora, I'm Kahu Sanson-Burnett, a Nelson and Wellington based songwriter, musician, producer and live sound technician. I'm a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, drums, keys) and produce in Ableton and Pro Tools.

I'm half of pop electronic duo JOLA BURNS, and in indie rock band Parallel Park. I record, produce, mix and master – check out my recent work here.

I'm keen to collaborate with other musicians, vocalists and artists, and I'm interested in all kinds of music production and live sound work.

Best for: All

Orange Studios
Ferrymead

Running as a music production studio since 2006, Orange is the largest commercial studio in the South Island.  Located between Christchurch's CBD and beaches, the studio features a spacious live room, three large isolation booths and two control rooms.  Top-shelf equipment is available, including classic microphones and vintage compressors, EQs and preamps.  Instruments for your use include drum kits from Ludwig and Gretsch; guitars from Fender, Gibson and Taylor; valve amps from Fender, Marshall, Orange, Vox and Ampeg; and a beautiful Yamaha C7 grand piano.

Best for: All

Sole Music Academy
Addington

A Music Academy specialising in Artist Development and supporting emerging artists prepare, record and release their music.

Best for: 

Stephen Stedman
Dunedin North - University of Otago

A musician, live sound engineer, recording engineer, producer and sound designer. I'm the Studio Manager at Te Korokoro o te Tui studios at the School of Performing Arts at the University of Otago. I've provided FOH live sound and recorded with many NZ artists and I've been involved in many musical collaborations across the past 30 years including bands, film and live orchestra work.

Best for: All

AWOL Creative
Central Dunedin

AWOL Creative is a Dunedin-based studio run by producer and multi-instrumentalist Abby Wolfe, specialising in pop, acoustic pop, folk, indie, and singer-songwriter recordings. Sessions often feature acoustic and electric guitars, piano, and layered plugin instruments, with live string players available when needed. Abby offers songwriting guidance, co-writing, production, mixing, and artist mentoring in a relaxed, collaborative space. The studio is also home to Goose, a very friendly golden retriever.

Best for: Pop, acoustic, folk, indie, singer-songwriter