Music Production

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mixing an album.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: We exploit the best of both worlds.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: We never make a promise we can''t keep.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That every day is different.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: How many songs can you do in one day.... How well can you play.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: Tiddle knobs/push buttons.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Have you ever worked with a producer on your music in a studio before? If the answer is yes; What was the signal most important thing you learnt from that What one thing would you most want to change? Any reference tracks.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Work out the right questions to ask that would build your confidence in his/her ability to bring out the best your music.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: EMT240 Gold Foil Plate Reverb, 1972 Fender Telecaster Deluxe, Pro Tools11 HDX, Brauner, Beano

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Our production style would be described as highly adaptable. Hands-on when needed and hands-off when needed and knowing...

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Think in 3's.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Indie-pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Make great sounding records.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A desire to make any song fulfill is own unique potential.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Beginning with pre-production session(s) to flesh out some creative ideas with the artist. Followed by preliminary tracking sessions, more often than not including live drums. Thereafter dedicated session to work on, for example the sound of guitars for the production. This is building process which ultimately is informed by the music and the artists intention for their music. We work closely with the artist to create sounds and capture performances in keeping with their musical vision. We also make it our business to spend some time to do mic shoot outs for the vocalists for the style and nature of the production. Generation of end-of-day mixes. If we are involved in the mixing of the song/album we carry out extensive mix prep including editing, vocal tuning etc. Normally the bulk of the mixing is carried out before the client arrives so we're considering fairly well developed mix and make appropriate amends if needed, upon review. Final sign off being at the artists/labels consent. Thereafter to complete the process a range of mix variants are created.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The latest generation of Avid HD I/O interfaces provide 40 analogue inputs and 56 analogue outputs hard wired to the SSL E series console. For pure analogue recording we use Otari MTR-90 MKII 24 tracks of 2" tape. We also run ProTools 11 HDX. These two systems maybe synchronised together. The main control room monitoring is soffit mounted Genelec 1038s. There are racks full of classic outboard processors (Neve, Imperial Labs, UA, EMT140) plus a range of Fender and Gibson guitars and basses. We also odder valve amplifiers, Marshall, Vox and Fender. Our microphone locker houses Neumann, Sennheiser, Rhode, Beyer, SE Electronics and Brauner, covering a range of dynamic, condenser and ribbon types . We have a resident DW Drum kit with a selections of snares including a Craviotto.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Butch Vig. Ryan Tedder.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Music production.