“We all know how easy it is nowadays to record your own band. However, it takes more than a computer and a couple of mics. You still need experience, know how, and sometimes it’s better to have someone else do it for you. That’s where I come in.”
—Tim Schmoyer, Engine70 Studios Owner and Engineer
Tim Schmoyer began his musical life playing violin, piano, and trombone, however he is a drummer at heart. His career began in earnest in the early 1990s when he moved from Buffalo, New York, to the New York City area to join the now legendary, straight edge, hardcore band Up Front. During that time, he toured internationally, and life on the road galvanized his musical foundation. Tim also spent ten years as front of house engineer for Blue Man Group Boston, while also working live sound at many Boston area venues, including The Middle East, The Paradise, and Great Scott. During this time, Tim would find himself recording his own bands—either in a practice space, or in a garage or basement. Soon, bands that he had managed sound for at venues in Boston, Massachusetts, started asking if he would be willing to record their band. Thus was born Engine70 Studios. Tim provided engineering and mastering services for numerous Boston area bands and solo artists. His own musical interests have always leaned towards the hard-core punk, metal scene. However, as a recording and mix engineer, Tim works over a wide spectrum of genres, always serving the music and bringing out the best in each recording project.
In 2015–2016, Tim, his wife, Kate Carswell, and the “zoo” moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and purchased the Stepbridge Studios property, and Tim partnered up with Jono Manson—relocating Jono’s Kitchen Sink Studio, leaving Engine70 Studios dormant. For the past ten years, Tim and Jono have been running The Kitchen Sink in the original location of Stepbridge Studios.
In April of this year, Engine70 Studios will reemerge and take over the former Kitchen Sink/Stepbridge facilities. Most of the gear will remain in place, making this a seamless transition. Engine70 Studios will continue to provide the highest level of professionalism, mixing and mastering services—plus remote and live recording services.
Since relocating to Santa Fe, Tim has worked on various projects ranging from blues to country, pop to punk, and rock to metal, and won New Mexico Music Awards. In addition to Tim’s work inside the studio walls, he has become a go-to live sound engineer for many of the venues and promoters in town, including Tumbleroot Brewery, Santa Fe Brewing Company, Second Street Brewery, Boxcar, and at events at San Miguel Chapel (the oldest church in the US) among others. He also works with/for Santa Fe promoters AMP Concerts, Lensic360, Southwest Roots Music and The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. Tim is the Front of House/Technical Engineer for the ten piece, latin fusion powerhouse band Nosotros.
Outside of the studio, Tim Schmoyer started the hardcore, punk band called Fibber in 2016. This local favorite won a 2021 New Mexico Music Award with Tim as the drummer, engineer, and producer. He also plays drums (and is the sound engineer) for the ‘80s rock, cover band Hartless.