On the face of it Darragh is a top level engineer, mixer and producer but what he brings to his studio sessions and artist working relationships, goes far far beyond these definitions. His level of care, dedication and ‘always on the end of the phone or email’ to his artists is something that I’ve never, personally experienced anywhere else.

He also has an insane amount of cool vintage gear to boot!

He’s the first and only name I give when asked for recommendations on any of the above.

I couldn’t recommend any higher and I’m proud to call him a friend.

– Aaron Smyth

“I’ve worked in Asta Kalapa many times for my own project and as part of other projects (Daithi, Basciville, Callum Orr). It’s always a pleasure working with Darragh and the studio is beautiful. Some of my first experiences working in a studio were at AK and it was a calming environment for me when I was cutting my teeth as a session singer, as well as being a productive and collaborative experience whenever I go back now.

Darragh is a safe pair of hands and is constantly making improvements to the studio, bringing in unusual vintage bits of gear you won’t find anywhere else, as well as always keeping an open ear to hear what new ideas and production techniques he can bring to your project to make it the best it can be.

Bonuses include, an adorable studio dog, lovely garden for relaxing breaks, and a wonderful deli counter in the local super valu.

Darragh will become more than just a producer, he’ll also become a wonderful friend and mentor!”

– Ailbhe Reddy

“I would highly recommend Darragh and Asta Kalapa.

The studio has everything you need to produce and record your next great record! Darraghs direction/production was invaluable throughout my time there.”

– Alan Finan

“Working with Darragh is a pleasure, he is very considerate in pre-production, bringing valuable ideas to our sessions.

As a producer, he has been sympathetic to my songs and has created mixes which are concise.

His studio is stellar and cosy. Above all, a really lovely guy to make music with.”

– Conor McGloughlin

“Darragh Nolan is an absolute pro and pleasure to work with. He has created a wonderful environment in his beautiful and well equipped studio for recording, mixing and mastering.

As a musician and a producer, he is somebody I would trust implicitly and works tastefully and with total respect for the artist.”

– Gary Landers

“It was my first time having anything professionally recorded and Asta Kalapa was the right place for it. You get the sense Darragh is really interested in the music he records here and gives himself artistically as well as his expertise in sound recording while your in his studio.

Mixing is a big weak spot for me so in the mixing stages Darragh’s patience and willingness to guide me through my beginners ignorance was particularly essential and he ensured I came out the other end with a recording I was fully happy with”

– Andy Geoghegan

“Darragh had an intuitive sense of where I was going with my songs, orchestrating space and providing sage advice during the whole recording and mixing process.

He approached the project with a balance of experimentation and organisation, which I appreciated a lot. It was a very enjoyable experience and I would definitely work with him again.”

– Laura Rai

“Darragh is one of the best producers and engineers in the country, hands down. We met Darragh at an early stage in our careers as recording artists. He not only brought our work to life but provided advice and wisdom that has stood to us throughout our career.”

– Cillian Byrne

“Darragh was a pleasure to work with. We had a very productive week of recording my album and had great craic throughout. Most if not all of his gear is vintage and the studio is very comfortable to record in.

He knows his way around the studio and every evening I had a rough mix of the day to enjoy. And I was delighted with the finished product. Would definitely work with him again!”

– John Lennon

“Darragh has a keen ear for detail, and his technical expertise shows on every record he works on. His professionalism and creative input shines through in every step of the process, and he is always dedicated to achieving the best results. It’s a true pleasure to work with him!”

– Ian Ring

“Darragh is an excellent producer and a gent to work with. He has a lot of great ideas: I couldn’t explain what I felt was missing from one of my songs, we sat with it for a while until he added a new synth melody to it.. I think we were both so ecstatic when we heard it; it elevated the song to a new level.

That song performed better than any other song of mine but the best part for me was the working on it together and the mutual excitement.”

– Briana Horan

“I’ve worked on multiple singles, EPs & an album with Darragh in Asta Kalapa. I always go back because it’s a hugely nurturing creative environment, full of amazing gear with which to experiment. I’m always excited about the end result after Darragh has pulled the best out of me as an artist, and worked patiently with me to get it right.”

– Callum O’ Riordan

“Darragh was the first producer I contacted when I was starting to write. From the beginning he’s always been so supportive, both creatively and on a personal level. He’s one of the kindest guys around and his recordings speak for themselves.”

– Christian Wethered

“My Choice nominated album L.O.S.S. was co-produced and mixed in Asta Kalapa studio in Gorey.

Darragh was incredible during the process, and brought the record to a level I could never have reached on my own. Aside from mixing the record to a professional standard, he gave me a huge amount of insight into mixing, improving my own production capabilities in the process.

The studio is a beautiful, relaxed space with everything you could need, so much so that we ended up using the studio to record a live session of the record at a later date. Darragh is the first person I’d recommend to anyone looking for music production in Ireland.”

– Daithi O Dronai

“Darragh helped me record and mix vocals for a stripped back piano and vocal demo.

He learned, played and recorded the accompanying piano on a beautiful old upright in his studio. Darragh creates a warm, comfortable environment in his studio and I felt immediately at ease.

He was the right mix of efficient and chill when recording vocals, giving a second opinion when I needed it and allowing space for some off the cuff ad libs and melodies. He was always easy to talk to on the day and remotely pre and post recording.

Our recording day was one of my favourite days out in 2023.”

– Gillian Nova

“Last year I worked on a track with Darragh in his studio. Within one day he efficiently organised a studio session which consisted of a drum kit recording, guitars, plenty of midi testing for different instruments such as violin and cello, and much more. The instrumentation for the entire track was recorded with 2 hours left in the day allowing me to return some time later to do vocal recording free of charge for those extra hours.

Darragh also mixed and mastered the track for me very efficiently and also taking on board some input from the artist with certain level parameters.

This was done so effectively that I soon plan on recording with Darragh again on a newer track once I get my own affairs in order.
All in all I was extremely impressed with his understanding of the artists vision on the track and implementing some of his own style improving the track greatly. This included both his production, mixing and instrumentation ideas.

Excellent producer!”

– David Traas

“A quick listen to the many talented artists Darragh has worked with is all you need to know he can produce a great sounding song, mixed beautifully. But more than that, Darragh takes time to understand your music and your overall vision.

For me, he made brilliant suggestions without taking over, and was patient with my ever ending requests and ideas. Ultimately he could see the wider context to which each sound, part and song belonged, and mixed a consistent record that sounded better than I could have imagined.

Darragh is all class. I would trust my music with him without a doubt.”

– Jared Shaw

“Working with Darragh was a real pleasure . He was open to experimenting with sounds and chasing down the feel and tone that we were after for Aglow & Spark . He has a lovely collection of synths and mics which made our time at Asta Kalapa a joy. Highly recommended!”

– Justin Cullen

“Darragh Nolan has produced some of my all time favourite records, and has undoubtedly played such an important role in the output of music from a range of Irish artists.

I recorded an EP with Darragh in 2022, and besides from being one of the quickest, most enjoyable recording experiences I’ve had to date, Darragh – as a producer, is such a marvel in the fact that he offers a unique mixture of precise and technical input, while also being instrumental in the creative and musical process!

He’s built a community around his work and I’m so glad we finally got to work together! Also, if you’re an audio geek – Asta Kalapa (his studio) has some of the nicest gear in the country, which is in itself worth going to see him!”

– Gary O’ Neill

“I recorded one of my favorite albums, “Daughter of the Sea,” at Darragh’s studio when he had just started his recording business.

We tracked and mixed the entire album on his laptop in just five days. Darragh has an ear and sensitivity to song creation and production that is unparalleled, he also has a songwriter’s perspective, with these interweaving innate gifts he is able to bring out the best from each song while at the same time not changing the artist’s vision for the song, only enhancing it and bringing it to the next level.

Darragh’s an OG! I am looking forward to collaborating on more projects together!”

– Rey Villalobos

“Working with Daragh gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and experiment with my music in order to hone in on my own original sound. A true gentleman with knowledge and patience to beat the band. It was a joy to work with him.”

– Jackie Hennessey

“I wanted to work with Darragh as I had liked a lot of the stuff he was producing and was also a fan of his own output as a musician. I felt comfortable working with him as he was easy to get along with while also being very professional. His studio was great and had a variety of synths and guitars that we experimented with while recording.

He was open to feedback and ultimately wanted to make sure I was happy with the process, both during the recording and mixing phases. I would 100% work with Darragh again and would recommend him to anyone looking to have their music recorded/produced.”

– Jamie Adam

“I’ve worked with Darragh on projects with IMLÉ and on a Scottish/Irish collaboration called Luí Lom. With IMLÉ we recorded a song called Do Chuid Jeans with Darragh and it was a great experience.

In the studio he creates a relaxed atmosphere which allows you to relax and focus on the music and be creative!…He is also eager to understand your vision for the song and make that happen. His mixing and production on that song are brilliant, it’s a piece of work we are really proud of.

I worked with Darragh remotely on the mixing of the Luí Lom project, remote work can sometimes be tricky but it was no issue with Darragh he got what we were trying to achieve and his mixes were beautiful. I’d highly recommend getting down to Gorey to work with Darragh! “

– Cian McCarthy

“Loved working Darragh over the years having had him mix and master singles, EPs and albums of sorts of genres. Very patient and flexible with requests, no matter how obtuse! My music has always been the better for having him involved. A craftsman!”

– Sean Arthur

“I cannot speak highly enough of Darragh Nolan who I’ve worked with in the capacity of a mixing engineer and producer/sound engineer.

Besides the obvious technical skills Darragh brings to the table and his deep understanding of the wide range of equipment/instruments he has at Asta Kalapa, it’s Darragh’s warmth, patience, and openness that have attracted me to working with him again and again, and never regretting making the drive from Cork to Gorey in Wexford to record.

For me, the most important thing in working with people is their ability to understand and interpret a vision for a drum sound, a feeling of a mix, etc. It’s always a comfortable atmosphere I feel with him in the studio. I work best in these kind of environments.

Darragh’s openness and experience allow him to do this. He possesses the right mix of patience and understanding while also being able to gently suggest when something isn’t working and suggest another approach. Darragh isn’t just a talented professional, but a nice guy, and would sometimes humor me for 2 hours while I tried to find one lyric I decided I had to change. It never felt contrived.

I worked with Darragh on a few different projects which range in terms of style and sound pretty drastically, and we always got exactly where what we wanted. All in all, I’d recommend working with Darragh to anyone, in any capacity, and look forward to the next time I collaborate with him myself!”

– Kevin Ring

“I’ve recorded two albums and an EP with Darragh Nolan at his studio, Asta Kalapa in Gorey. Darragh brought a genuine curiosity in my songs to the table.

As an artist himself Darragh was open to novel approaches and creative suggestions whilst maintaining rigour and technical high standards throughout the recording. Indeed the creative flow is an important part of Darragh’s approach and I think it is something to which he pays very close attention.

It is also worth mentioning that I was able to bring aspects of my own recordings to Asta Kalapa – I enjoy this blend of high end studio and quality home sessions. In brief, flexibility, creativity and technical high standards are what you get when you work with Darragh coupled with a genuine enthusiasm for the musical project.

– Pearse McGloughlin

“I’ve worked with Darragh on several projects since 2019, including my solo work as ÓDÚ, as well as my side project Scenes from a Break.

Darragh manages to create a very relaxed atmosphere in his gorgeous studio where you can talk and laugh and also feel empowered to have fun and experiment a little while you’re working.

Darragh is also a wonderful mentor, and I’ve been lucky enough to receive great support and career advice from him over the years.”

– Sally O’ Dunlaing

“Darragh is an outstanding person who combines technical skill with heart and a genuine love of music.

Experienced but always excited to explore, he understands what we go through as musicians to get into the studio and how to help you get to where you want to be.

The studio is a new instrument that we as musicians must learn, and Darragh is an absolute master. Cannot recommend enough. Much love, Ian”

– Ian O’ Sullivan

“It’s great working at Darragh’s, the studio has a lovely vibe and is well equipped with some interesting quirks that can come into play list minute!

Darragh is an attentive engineer and a calming presence. He has a great ear for mixing and contributing musical suggestions in the moment.”

– Peter Vogelaar

Darragh is a superb producer, collaborator and human. I came to him with an outrageous plan to live record an album in a large home in Donegal and not only was he up for the project he gutted his studio and was soldering mic cables to bring to us.

He is a breath of fresh air and a calm and guiding light in the very scary recording process. The level of support you get from Darragh goes above and beyond he genuinely cares about your music your career and your mental health.

He gets to know you as a person and releases this understanding through his mixing and production style.

– Caoimhe Glynn

“Darragh was the first producer I ever brought my solo stuff too. His words of encouragement took me from bad phone demos to fully fledged folk/pop/rock songs, and was exactly what I needed.

His beautiful garden studio is filled with instruments and trinkets. On top of recording all my guitars, bass and vocals on a multitude of beautiful house instruments, I also used some percussion in his loft, his talents for keys on a couple of my tracks, nevermind his vocal warm up sessions, unlimited cups of coffee, and even a trip to the lovely local pub (if you’re really on top of your game).

I can’t recommend working with Darragh enough, we got so much done in so little time that I’ve been back whenever I can.

A gem.

– Niall Jackson

“I was just 17 when I started working with Darragh. Little did I know he would be a large part of the reason my life changed. After saving up to head to the studio to work with Darragh, he opened my eyes to a life in music and opened so many doors for me along the way.

Beyond Darragh’s musical expertise and superb production work – and the side of him that will always shine above the rest for me – is his care. His mentorship, guidance, and genuine care for the artists he works with is what sets him apart. Not only did he produce, mix, and master every track of my debut EP – but he also made sure the right ears heard my music in all of the right places. I have since gone on to realise that you don’t receive that kind of support anywhere else.

Being new to the industry is daunting and a real dive in the deep end. But Darragh – through his own experience and knowledge of the industry – made it so much easier.

And just over 4 years on, after falling into a life of music, I still go back to Darragh with every track for mastering. He likes to be humble about his work. But he is unique, he is caring, and he is knowledgeable. He is top class.”

– Will Troy Walsh

“Darragh is great to work with. His studio is a wonderful place to go for a peaceful recording session as well as inspiration and wisdom.

He brings a great mix of experience, firmness, and indulgence. Most importantly: every studio needs a good dog, and Maisie does not disappoint..”

– Shane Culloty