Recording Session for 'Through the Looking Glass' now re-named to 'CONTINUUM'

Recording at Newburn Surgery in the attempt to obtain internal body sounds to use in the soundscape. We used very specialist mic's and direct recordings from the fetal ultrasound doppler machine.

The FINAL (did i say final??) wiring of my 5.1 monitoring system!!

After buying my Blue Sky 5.1 Media Desk many months ago, i only just managed to get it fully wired up and all the wiring under the floors etc etc. Id bought the system right in the middle of a major renovation and re-decoration to my studio at home. So it was temporarily set up then took back down, then up again for the 'Black Sea of Trees' project. So id bought various types of wire, some which was very expensive. In the end i had about 4 different types of wire, some which had been painstakingly fed under the floor and carpets. I finally bought some of the best wire available in a 25 meter roll, threw the other wire away and sat for almost a full day wiring this whole system up!!! Already, after buying the 5.1 set up im well on my way into my 2nd 5.1 composition project, which i was commissioned based on the success of the 1st!!

In this picture you can see my Mac Pro and the 5.1 LFE- or Sub Woofer as its commonly known. All of the wiring comes from each of the speakers, into the rear of the Sub. From the Sub the connections (XLR or Jack) go to my multichannel soundcard, MOTU Traveller. You can also see some ( yes just some ) of the wires!! It took me a good couple hours to tidy and arrange all the wiring, cables, power supplys etc etc! I must say, i truly HATE wires!!!

Working on a new piece ive been commissioned to compose

Working in Logic Pro on a new piece ive been commissioned to compose. Just sketching out a few ideas and getting a feel for what im trying to look for in the sound. This is a big project and ill be posting regular updates from now following the process from start to finish....Those of you out there who are audio engineers, yes i know the automation is a little rough...remember i did say this was a sketch ;-)

Main writing desk at my home studio

This is the main writing desk at my studio which is still under construction. One of two desks in the room. This hosts the main computer and hard drive storage and backup. Apple Mac Pro, 2TB, External LaCie drives up to 1TB, Apple 30" Cinema HD Display, MOTU interface, Roland MIDI interface, Stereo Monitoring, 5.1 Blue Sky Media Desk Monitoring, Novation SL Mk 2, a whole bunch of software and plug ins.

'Through the Looking Glass' a new project ive been specially commissioned by Paul Grimmer to compose a 5.1 soundscape for, along with Benjamin Freeth.

'Through the Looking Glass' a unique audio visual work specifically created for the Planetarium at the Life Centre in Newcastle. To be premiered at the 2010 Science Festival. I have been commissioned (along with Benjamin Freeth) to compose a 5.1 soundscape for the visual piece. The entire concept and project has been created by the wonderful artist Paul Grimmer.

Read about it here....

http://paulgrimmer.blogspot.com/

Photos to be added soon. I got started on this project this week and will be adding posts soon.

Working with Ben Freeth we will record internal body sounds, record and morph real instruments to create a unique electroacoustic ambient 5.1 piece.

Svapnagata Festival -rehearsals and show at Sadlers Wells

Aftershow party. L-R- Pirashanna Thevarajah (Mridhangam, Percussion), Me, Anoushka Shankar (Sitar), Asa Kubiak (Aerialist), Mythili Prakash (Bharata-natyam)
Beautiful stage design and set up

The venue- Sadlers Wells, minutes before the doors opened. This was a sold out show!

Svapnagata Festival -rehearsals

We rehearsed for 5 days at a Circus Training Centre! The only place we were able to hire that had the right equipment.

Three incredible talents together- Anoushka Shankar (Sitar), Asa Kubiak (Aerialist) and Mythili Prakash (Bharata-natyam)
Unbelievable!! Check out http://asa.jetsets.jp/

Another new toy!! Novation Remote SL Mk 2

Many thanks to Novation Music UK.

The WORST thing about being self-employed!!

Trying out a Double Bass!!

My good mate, Rich Smith. Bass Player and Musician.

A new arrival to my studio

Carvin VL100- Steve Vai Signature Amp.

More from the Planetarium.....

Computer to control the sound and video.
Just a small part of the racks of equipment to control the audio and video!!

A visit to the Planetarium at the Life Centre for a 5.1 project next year!

Checking the monitor placement

The dome
Under the dome, they played us a short show to get an idea of what it does. Really immersive!!

Culture Lab- Relaunch Event/Party

Prof Atau Tanaka
Motion Capture Equipment

St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley bay.

I often take my 3 year old daughter to the Lighthouse at Whitley bay. We love it there. This time we decided to go inside and up to the top!

What's on my desk today????

A great shot from Soundcheck at Kioi Hall, Tokyo Japan

An old vintage Piano...if only we could get it out the building!

Video Editing Suite @ Culture Lab

7.1 Video editing suite at Culture Lab.
4 of the 8 Genelec speakers in this studio
Hmm..we ran into a few problems setting up the Final Cut Pro with 5.1...im not a Final Cut user so i was clueless, however i managed to do it alone after the technicians failed to figure it out!! Maybe i should become a technician!?
The Genelec Sub/LFE, Mac G5 and LaCie 2.5 TB RAID Drive...what a monster drive!!!