Valvetastic Studio

A slight variation today on the room mics, changing out the Rode NTR pair in Blumlein config for these darker softer SE-R1 Ribbons in XY for a less detailed and more powder pillowy end result. Small changes.

Barry Green was played on the BBC Folk show this week thanks to Tim Walker Music 2hrs 49 mins in, first national radio play for Barry, much desrved. Long Time Travelling was recorded here last year. Check out Tims brilliant show on the link below https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p09czfyb

Putting the band together today .Normal Wisdom. Six gorgeous new songs underway with Miles Heathfield, Mark Diacono, Nick Onley, Mikey Rayner, Joe Mansfield and Maz McNamara.

A squeaky drum stool was today's only surmountable problem thanks to WD40 and Maz with her perfectly nailed takes all day long.

When I get a day off there's nothing I love more than experimenting with my gear and my spaces, today I moved my 'drum room ribbons' around from wide spaced to Blumlein, placing them up against the ceiling , the walls and just about everywhere in a quest to find the sweetest configuration that I could. In the end I discovered that blumlein at around ribcage height placed centrally in the clear two thirds section of the room gave me the most gorgeous punch and balance. I love these RØDE Microphones NTR beauties, super low noise, rich and open with high gain from phantom power and with amazingly functional and reliable mounts for quick easy placement.

First time tracking Viola in the studio for Sophie today and it turned out she was a natural. Completely nailed it. Mid Side through the Vanguard Audio Labs V44S Mk1 which is fast becoming valvetastic's favourite, and most useful microphone. Big thanks to Derek at Vanguard for his great response and help this week with the replacement cable which I didn't need in the end.