CREATIVE PROCESS
.I see recording music as a creative process, from composition to microphone placement and everything in between. As a producer I love to collaborate on new music, whether developing demos into fully formed arrangements or working with already recorded tracks to bring out the best in the material. As a recording/mixing engineer I’m passionate finding the right sound for each recording on its own terms. As a multi-instrumentalist I have a broad palette of sonic colours at my disposal including piano, clarinets, saxophones, accordion, flutes, guitars, strings, drums/percussion – please see the instrument list below for more details.
AT HOME
My home studio space has the best of both worlds – a homely, relaxing atmosphere with studio grade equipment and good isolation from ambient noise. Located near Turnpike Lane at the back of a garden and decorated in earthy tones and Moroccan lighting, it’s an ideal place to come and get inspired.
Easily accommodating 4 musicians (more at a push!), the space offers a live sound enhanced by wooden floors and clay plastered walls as well as an acoustically treated area ideal for both mixing and overdubbing.
Instruments available include: vintage Bechstein grand piano (model B), modern upright Stanley piano (with optional practice felt), Wurlitzer keyboard, custom drum kit, Squire Stratocaster guitar, Washburn electric bass, double bass, nylon string guitar, steel string guitar, accordion and various percussion – more available on request.
ON LOCATION
When working on location I specialize in recording live, acoustic music in all kinds of spaces from theatres and churches to jazz clubs and living rooms. My fully portable set up offers up to 16 channels of high grade preamps and a versatile selection of microphones – enough to record practically any ensemble in high fidelity. Please see the gear list below for more details.
AVAILABILITY
I’m available as a producer, a recording/mixing engineer, a multi-instrumentalist and any combination of these. My space is also available to hire independently with or without equipment set up. For more information about how I work please get in touch at zacgvi @ gmail . com
INSTRUMENT LIST
Keys: vintage Bechstein grand piano (Model B), modern upright Spencer piano (with practice felt), Wurlitzer, Nord Lead 1, Novation Bass Station 1, Casio SK5, Weltmeister Sapphir accordion
Winds: saxophones (tenor, alto, soprano, baritone), clarinets (Bb, bass clarinet), flute, furulja (wooden stopped flute)
Strings:Gretsch steel string, Alhambra nylon string, Squire Stratocaster, Washburn bass, double bass, cello
Drums/percussion: vintage custom drum kit, bendir, tbila, darbukha, riq, zils, kayamba, shekere, bells, shakers etc
GEARLIST
Valve condenser mics:
Lomo 19A21 (AEG mod) – vintage cardiod LDC
AEG MKL101/Gefell MK221 (AEG mod) – cardiod LDC/1/2″ omni
Lomo PM3 (AEG mod) – 1″ omni
Condenser mics (solid state):
Neumann TLM170 x2 – multipattern LDC
Calrec 1050 x3 – vintage British SDC
Sennheiser MKH40 x2 – super clean SDC
Ribbon mics:
B&O BM5A (Xaudia mod) – active stereo ribbon
Oktava ML16 – Soviet ribbon
Oktava ML19 x2 – Soviet cardiod ribbon
Dynamic mics:
Ahuja SM58 clone
Griffon Fuzzyfone
JrF contact microphone
Preamps/Outboard:
DAV Electronics x8
Glensound x8 with EQ
Raindirk Concord x3 with EQ
Boss BX8 x8 with EQ
Sony MU-L021 VCA compressor
Line 6 DL4 delay
Interface:
Tascam US16x08 16
Monitors/Headphones:
JBL LSR2328p x2
AKG K872
AKG K712 Pro
