Introduction
In the spring of 2025, Del Hungerford teamed up with David Bjur to establish a new recording studio in Lewiston, Idaho. Del previously worked with Dave at Washington State University School of Music (until 2016). Now partnering together "after retirement," they bring a natural approach to the art of audio engineering that closely follows the ideals of the late Al Schmitt. Schmitt focused on capturing a great sound at the source (the microphone) with minimal EQ or compression, aiming for a natural and pristine final product. He emphasized the importance of understanding microphone characteristics and careful placement. To learn about Al Schmitt’s recording philosophy, watch this interview with Pensado’s Place
To enhance a system of “listening across the ensemble,” we’ve found the best method of capturing a good recording is when members of the group can see and hear each other in a natural rehearsal like environment. This allows the group to create their own dynamic ranges and group balance. This recording environment also allows for those spontaneous and magic moments.
Meet the Creative Team
Dave Bjur
Head engineer
Dave Bjur is a freelance audio engineer and educator. From 2012 to 2022 he served as the chief engineer and studio complex operations manager for the Washington State University School of Music Recording Studio. He has recorded, edited, mixed and mastered most of the titles published by WSU Recordings, WSU’s peer-reviewed label with classical and jazz titles. Dave also has several projects released on Albany records, and many private label projects in jazz, classical, bluegrass, folk, klezmer and other art music genres. He also taught the audio engineering course sequence for WSU’s music technology minor.
Dave joined the U.S. Air Force Band in 1977 as a professional bassist, playing a variety of styles while performing throughout the Western United States, Hawaii, Guam, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. While with the the Air Force Band of the Pacific Bjur designed and managed the live sound reinforcement equipment and training for the various touring ensembles. From 1994 to 1997, Dave worked as an assistant engineer, overdub and tracking engineer for multi-track recording and post-production projects at Crossroads Studios in Costa Mesa California. While there he installed, maintained, operated and repaired a variety of analog and digital recording equipment and helped construct a new control room and overdub room, including wiring and acoustic treatment.
Del Hungerford
Kryoton Studios owner and assistant Engineer
Del is a retired professional clarinetist and music educator in the Northwest. She was the Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at Whitworth University from 1994 - 2022 and had a variety of temporary teaching positions at both The University of Idaho and Washington State University (1988 - 2014). She was a member of the Marzena Contemporary Ensemble in Seattle and the Northwest Sinfonietta in Tacoma (1991 - 1998). She also taught in the Shoreline School District (1990 - 1994), taught and subbed in the Moscow School District (1994 - 2009), directed the Moscow Arts Commission Band (2014 - 2018), and was the music director for the Moscow Community Theatre (2009 - 2014). As a performer, Del was also staff accompanist in the Moscow public schools and often the summer pianist for the Presbyterian Church.
Del began to experiment with and record healing music in 2015. She discovered this "new sound" that led to a life transformation. At the time, she was on the faculty at Washington State University, where Dave was the head recording engineer for their state-of-the-art studio. Dave worked with Del on her first eleven albums that are now sold on the Healing Frequencies Music website. Del worked for Dave in the studio where she began to understand the art of audio engineering. After leaving WSU, Dave helped Del purchase the necessary equipment to do her own recording projects when she moved further north. CLICK HERE to see their collaborative effort for the album Into His Presence.
More about Dave...
Dave Bjur is a professional bassist and teacher. His performing career began in 1977 when he joined the U.S. Air Force Band, playing a variety of styles while performing throughout the Western United States, Hawaii, Guam, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. In 1988 he toured for six months with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and in 1993 & 1994 toured with the Paul Smith Trio in the “Tonight” with Steve Allen stage show. In 1993 he
began a four-year role as bassist with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. He recorded with the band on the CD Absolutely! for Lake Street Records and on “White Christmas” from John Pizzarelli’s Let’s Share Christmas RCA recording. With the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra he toured twice to Japan, including performances with Benny Carter and Diana Krall. While in Los Angeles he worked for Ray Brown as associate producer on Ray’s Art of Playing the Bass video series. Studying with John Clayton since 1987, Dave has also taken lessons with Ray Brown, John Heard and Paul Ellison.
From 1997 to 2012, Dave continued as a contract engineer to record, edit, master and publish concerts, audio books, lectures, radio broadcasts and podcasts. He designed and installed all
equipment and acoustic treatment for digital recording studios at two separate facilities. Moving to Lewiston Idaho in 2004, Dave began recording live concert performances and studio projects for Lewis Clark State College. From 2007 to 2022 he provided live sound support and TA training for the WSU School of Music’s jazz concerts and light-opera performances.
Dave teaches jazz bass at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton School of Music, performing and recording with the Palouse Jazz Project, the faculty jazz ensemble. He
has additionally taught bass at Washington State University, Lewis-Clark State College and Whitman College.
Dave holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Washington.
More about Del...
It is well documented that music is an emotional experience for the listener that often leads to healing, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Through her own healing journey, Del’s recording label Healing Frequencies Music was born. After retiring from Whitworth in 2022, she began to focus more on her music and helping others learn how to walk in greater health - spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Her current endeavors include:
- Healing Frequencies Music - Music sales, courses, sound baths, personal songs, blogs about frequency related topics, and a monthly subscription. In addition, she has a course to teach others a scientific method of giving sound baths using quartz crystal singing bowls.
- NW Ekklesia - This site addresses the spiritual side of our three-part being (spirit, soul, and body). NW Ekklesia is governed by a "council of five" that oversees the operations.
- Free From Verbal Abuse - This site is for people who've been in abusive relationships. It's mainly informational and is designed to help people get out of abusive situations so they can move forward with their lives.
- Frequency Immersion - Training for those who desire to learn Del's scientific method of giving sound baths. This training helps people learn to be in an excellent place emotionally so they're able to have the necessary "inner resources" to release all kinds of goodness to others through a sound bath.
Part of what Del brings to Kryoton Studios is the intuitive ability to help those recording healing music (and worship music) create in a way other studios may not have experience with. Sound baths and drum circles may be recorded that could eventually become part of an album. Creativity is just that... you get a group of musicians together and see what happens!
Del has three degrees in music: The University of Idaho (B.M), Yale University (M.M), and The University of Washington (D.M.A.)
Considering Booking a Recording Session?
Use the contact form below to ask questions. Del will reach out to you within 24 hours (usually). Or, CLICK HERE to gather more details first.
Recording Site
At this time, we're only offering off-site recording opportunities. You'll choose and secure that site at your own expense.
Your Group
You'll be asked to tell us about your group, the instrumentation, and the style of music you record.
Recording Dates
Please have an idea of what dates you could be available to record.
Check the Schedule!
To see what dates are already blocked out, check the schedule...
Future Plans!
Kryoton Studios is planning on providing overnight lodging opportunities for out-of-town guests. As that information becomes available, we'll post the details on this site. We want to provide a peaceful and enjoyable recording experience for your group from the moment you arrive through your final session. Rates will include housing and some meals depending on your needs.