Recognised Specialists in Electronic Music Production
Music Production, Mixing & Apple Certified Mastering
“I was struggling to get my album over the line. Altar Studios finally made that happen.”
– Nicky Holloway
“If there is a Dance Music Production Bible, this would certainly be it.”
– Toolroom Records
“We’ve received nothing but rave reviews; the presentation was oversubscribed and had to be held twice.”
– Audio Engineering Society
“Essential for anyone who owns a DAW and wants to make great music..”
– Bobby Owinski
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The experiences
What Our Clients Say
I think I’ve just finished the most important dance album of the last twenty years. I’d only trust Rick with it, he’s not some wally straight out of a music degree course. There is a pedigree involved. Altar studios are the ying to my yang.
Nicky Holloway
FIrst Superstar DJ
These guys completely revolutionised my music. In under 12 months l’ve had eight tunes signed and had tracks played out by the likes of Hernan Catteneo and Guy Mantzer. These guys are the f*cking nuts.”
Richard Bailey
Producer & DJ
Rick is not only an accomplished engineer with credits across major label and independent productions, but also one of the few producers able to bridge the gap between technical precision, musicality and modern production practice.
Mix Magazine
We Care Because You Do.
AI-assisted production, self-mixing and self-mastering have made music creation more accessible than ever. But great records still depend on judgement, experience and attention to detail.
With more than 30 years in electronic music production, we provide professional mixing, mastering and production services for artists who want their music translated with clarity, depth and precision.
Our work has contributed to millions in sales, platinum-certified releases and projects for artists including Nicky Holloway, The Chainsmokers and David Guetta, alongside labels such as Polydor, Sony BMG, Toolroom, Black Hole and Anjuna.
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Polishing Your Productions
If you’re stuck on a project or feel it needs a fresh perspective, we can help refine and develop it further. Whether that involves sound design, arrangement, mix direction, or introducing the character of classic samplers, synthesisers and rare hardware, the focus is always on strengthening the identity of the track rather than forcing a formula onto it.
Collaboration can range from subtle technical refinement through to deeper creative redevelopment, depending on what the project needs. Any contribution remains entirely confidential and no production credit is required unless requested.
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Apple Certified Mastering
How a track translates during playback is just as important as the production itself. As an Apple Certified mastering house, we deliver masters optimised for modern streaming platforms while maintaining the dynamics, depth and tonal balance that give a record its identity.
Our mastering chain combines carefully selected analogue hardware with precision digital processing, including equipment from SPL, Manley, API, SSL and Chandler. The focus is never loudness for its own sake, but clarity, translation and musical impact across club systems, headphones, streaming platforms and broadcast playback.
Apple Digital Masters certification is available where required, helping ensure your release meets Apple’s delivery standards for high resolution streaming and playlist consideration.
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About the Owners
Altar Studios is owned and operated by Dr Rick Snoman and Alex Bartles, both Apple Certified mastering engineers specialising in electronic music production, mixing and mastering. Their work includes projects for artists and labels across the electronic music industry, from independent releases through to major label productions.
Alongside their studio work, Rick and Alex regularly lecture and present on modern music production at universities, colleges, Audio Engineering Society events and the NAMM Show. They are active members of the AES Education Committee and board members of the Electronic Music Technicians and Artists Society, where they helped develop the AES’s first dedicated electronic music event in 2021.
Dr Snoman is the author of The Dance Music Manual and After the Drop, with The Dance Music Manual widely used as a reference text for electronic music production courses internationally.
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