Auckland New Zealand's 'the Chapel Studio' is a premier residential recording studio.
Nesteld in the scenic Puhoi landscape, this residential music studio offers artists a tranquil, private and immersive space to create, away from the distractions of city life. Surrounded by lush greenery and the calming sounds of nature, minutes from the beach, it seamlessly blends state-of-the-art recoding technology with the warmth and comfort of a home like retreat.
Our passion for audio excellence is matched by our love of helping artist hear their dream recording come to life.
The studio's natural acoustics make it one of the best drum rooms in Aotearoa, with flexibility to create huge or closed in sonic environments naturally.
Getting the colour of a recording right at the source is so important, creating a sound that is unique to you and not just another plug in. We have an exceptional microphone collection with wonderful pre amps and a legendary console.
Our Team
TEMATERA SMITH
Musician / Producer / Engineer / Mixing
TeMatera Smith is a distinguished music producer, engineer, and musician based in Auckland, New Zealand, with over two decades of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, contributing to numerous number-one and award-winning albums. Notable collaborations include working with acclaimed New Zealand musicians such as Troy Kingi, Delaney Davidson, and Barry Saunders.
As the driving force behind The Chapel Recording Studio, TeMatera combines his extensive expertise with a passion for nurturing talent, ensuring each project achieves its highest creative potential.
CHRIS NALDER
Musician / Producer / Engineer / Atmos / Immersive Mixing
Chris Nalder is a recording and mixing engineer with a strong focus on Dolby Atmos and immersive audio. He enjoys the intersection of music and technology, using innovative tools to create detailed, three-dimensional mixes that enhance the listener’s experience. His approach is both technical and creative, ensuring that every project he works on feels dynamic and engaging.
Chris is also passionate about education and sharing knowledge. Whether he’s mentoring up-and-coming engineers or helping artists understand the possibilities of immersive sound, he values making complex ideas accessible. At The Chapel Recording Studio, he’s always exploring new ways to refine and push the craft of music production forward.
REUBEN KIRKWOOD
Musician / Recording Engineer / Mixing
From a young age Reuben had a desire to understand how to take music to a professional level, which sparked a journey into recording young and up and coming bands.
This led him to take a degree in commercial music at Wellingtons Massey University, learning the art of production in an incredible environment.
“My motivation for audio engineering comes from desire to help bands and artists bring their musical ideas to life in a way that ensuring they’re truly proud of their work and able to share it with the world”