recording

From my origins in radio and outside broadcasts, I have worked for over 40 years recording music in various venues around Canberra. A lot has changed over the decades but some things stay the same. There’s nothing like being fully prepared, knowing that magic may only happen once and that I need to be there for it, everything running & working well. Often it’s important to record different aspects of the whole and then integrate the best of things in the studio. So as long as it doesn’t become a big burden for the performance, I carry extra microphones for those little touches of definition or life. Where possible I work in surround using what I learned in the 1980s at the ANU. Ever since then I knew it was more future proof than conventional stereo or multi-mono approaches.

For classical style recordings my emphasis is on choosing the most appropriate space with good acoustics, then using the best microphones and the cleanest possible signal chain. Setting up good loudspeaker monitoring in a nearby space can be often helpful to the recording process as it enables reliable on the spot evaluation of takes. I rely on Neumann KH-120 active monitors as well as AKG headphones.

My Ambisonic Soundfield SPS-422B microphone has made amazing recordings in 3D, with the ability to be virtually repositioned in post production. I now provide a realistic, immersive sound recording process that is affordable. This is very relevant to classical music where capturing the acoustic is most desired, but is also valuable for any genre. The recent emergence of Apple Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos fits well with my Ambisonic recording pedigree. 

​

I have Apogee Symphony and Focusrite converters, great conventional microphones by Neumann, Audio Technica, ElectroVoice and Rode plus a good range of cables and stands, including a 6 metre tall orchestral stand.

However much I like to use good gear, that should never get in the way of the performance. Anything that improves the atmosphere and ability of the musicians is a good thing. This is where early consulting and planning can make a big difference to the end result.

Over the years I have done high resolution surround location recording of human and natural environments, both locally and overseas in Morocco, Armenia and Georgia. I'm available to travel, wherever, with kit appropriate to place.