![]() I’ve just spent 3 fantastic days over at Earthworm Amber studio with Rob Brian (session drummer), Jon (producer) and Pete (sound engineer) working on 4 tracks from the Changing Tides album. We created some truly superb music during those 3 days and we all had a lot of fun in the process. On day 1, the morning was all about getting the drum kit and microphones set up, tweaking the pre-amps and setting up Pro Tools. Then we took some time to go through the story board so that we were all on the same page with regard to the emotions we wanted to capture in each section of the track. In the afternoon, we get in to the recording session with Rob working his magic on the drums. In the control room, the sound was awesome against the violins, violas and cellos. Jon and Pete bring many years of experience to the production and engineering side. What a great team to work with. We were all immersed in the process and the creativity levels were just phenomenal. More work to finish ‘Out at Sea’ and then tomorrow, we move onto ‘The Rescue’. Exciting times! On day 2, we finished recording the drums for ‘Out at Sea’ and then moved onto ‘The Rescue’. This was more of a challenge as not only do the drums and percussion need to evolve and change with the various scenes in the story but also, we want to create a sense of urgency right out of the gate as the lifeboat and helicopter SAR crew are scrambled but we also want to avoid throwing everything into the mix from the outset! Rob did a grand job and the drums really set the pace for each part. For example, in the final sections of the track, the urgency of the situation increases as the helicopter manoeuvres for another attempt at the rescue of the family on the sailing boat. We used a number of snare drums and floor toms to set the pace and also mimic the sound the helicopter blades. Awesome. Then we moved onto Homeward Bound and Rob nailed this one in one take on the drum kit. Marvellous! On day 3, we had a change in direction as we jumped ahead to the last track on the album, Party on the Beach. This part of the story is about celebrating life, being with friends and family and enjoying life in the moment. It is more upbeat with a calypso feel to it and we keep this groove developing as we introduce new instruments into the mix. In the middle breakdown section, to keep things interesting, we change things up a bit by introducing a cool reggae groove which works really well in the context of the whole arrangement. This was such a fun track to work on with lots of other percussion instruments layered on top of the drum kit such as bongos, shakers, tambourine, jam blocks and hand clapping. This really helped us achieve that calypso dance groove. A big thank you to Rob Brian for his incredible drumming and percussion. Also to Jon and Pete at Earthworm Amber studio for their production and engineering skills. Fantastic job guys.
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![]() Working on the next track 'I'm currently working on 'The Rescue' in the studio. Working through the string sections, V1 V2, viola and cello at the moment with the beautiful Spitfire Mural string symphony and 8Dio's Agitato Legato Arpeggio strings. This track is about a rescue mission and SAR & RNLI crews being scrambled to a stricken sailing boat that is taking on water in a Gale Force 10 storm. The family on board are fighting for their lives against the monstrous waves and the ferocious wind. After several knockdowns, they make the call. Mayday. Mayday. Mayday…. The Sea King helicopter is scrambled and the highly trained crew are in the air within 2 minutes heading to the last known co-ordinates. A Severn Class lifeboat launches in to the rough seas motoring up huge walls of water and crashing through the breaking crests of these monster waves only to slam down hard in to the trough burying the bow in to the wave in front. It’s a rough ride, but there is a job to do and time is running out……..and so the story unfolds along with the music. The Sea King is one of my favourite helicopters and I've read so many stories of brave rescues by the crews of these awesome helicopters. It’s perhaps not the prettiest of helicopters but it must be the most beautiful thing on the planet if you are in trouble out at sea, fighting for your life and one of these appears overhead! The familiar red and grey Search & Rescue helicopters were once a common sight in the skies over Cornwall but Squadron 771 has recently been decommissioned. During its 42 years of rescue operations, 15,000 lives have been helped or saved with over 9,000 sorties. Simply amazing. Total respect for these crews. There are some great books written by Sea King pilots and Search & Rescue divers: Here are a few that I've read that are absolutely excellent:
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Tim HardwickI'm a composer, producer and author. I've been creating music for many years now and over the last 8 years, I've been focused on the fusion of electronic, orchestral and acoustic music that tells a story. Archives
April 2018
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