CAC

This was a shame. Heres a guy offering (for free) to have a bash at remixing someones track. Essentially hes networking and who knows it could have lead on to something interesting for all parties concerned. For his efforts he was shot down almost immediatley. I dont blame him for withdrawing his offer. I have to say that during my time down south and abroad theres only one place I have experienced that has a small minded perochial mentality. yep, its Aberdeen. It was like this when I was a young guy starting out here. While there has been many improvements particularly with the quality of the bands theres still this lingering insular approach. Come on guys work with each other. The benefits can very often be very worthwhile. my 0.02 cents

I dont know who the hell to check out now I guess Ill have to check them all out Cheers

I agree and there is absaloutely nothing wrong with that. Ive self produced tons of stuff myself and continue to do so.

I agree if the band are doing it for fun then they should record as cheap as poss. However if the band are serious about their craft they will at some point have to spend money on quality recordings. Its always a bands right not to have their sound manipulated and theres nothing wrong with that at all. But the majority of bands have greatly benefitted from working with a producer. The Beatles being a perfect example. Funnily enough though Ive always found its unsigned bands who have the no producer please stance. Never really was able to work that one out.

From where Im sitting it looks like there are around 4 or 5 decent engineer/producers in Aberdeen. 1. Mark (MTA) has some major experience. Having worked with various name acts and John Lecke hes surely to have picked up stuff that wont be found in a book. I mean the stuff that took John years to figure out and was passed to Mark. Ive seen engineers completely transform themselves after working with a happening producer. I cant speak for mark but I reckon this might be how it worked out for him. regardless though his resume is impressive 2. Mark Nicol I believe is very talented. with no training whatsoever I ve heard some great stuff coming from his studio. Hes learned it all by himself which can be a great way to learn this game and if I dare say hes beginning to get a 'Sound'. Not everyone will like it though but not everyone likes Bob Clearmountains sound. 3. Captain Toms engineer is also pretty good. Ive heard some good and bad from Toms bit I dont put this down to the engineer. The bad is probably becausethe band isnt up to scratch or their recording six songs in over a 3 hour period. Theres also a sound comes from Toms which is probably the engineers doing. The engineer there gets V good results from the gea he has. While recording there is less than ideal conditions he knows how the room sounds and gest the best from it. My only suggestion would be a little upgrading of some of the gear (if poss) 4 Niall. Ive heard a lot from the mill since the 80's. Undoubtedly Niall has much experience. he knows his stuff and has a sound. The sound he has wont be everyones cup of tea. From what Ive heard its a polished sound (not a bad sound) but not suited for everything. A couple of things Ive heard have been a little tinny though. Overall if you spend a couple of days there you will get a decent recording at the mill theres no doubt about that. 5. The Byre. I havent heard anything from there yet but on paper the studio is the best equipped. I think Mark (MTA) is doing some engineering there. results could be V good if the band are prepared to spend the money. A producer can be anyone. he/she doesnt need to know how to work gear or play an instrument (although thats rare)/ The most important thing a producer has is his ear and knowing what makes a good song. When a band is working with a producer for the first time there can be much friction. Basically a bands song can be totally re worked. Many bands find this hard to deal with, but the ones that can and do deal with it usually improve in every area ten fold. All a producer needs is a good band with an open mind and a great engineer. Put those three elements together and magic can happen. Another bit of advice for bands: Stop recording 4 + songs in an hour. Recording in Aberdeen is cheap and recording fast demoes is a false economy. If you take your music seriously spend a minimum of two days recording one song. Labels are simply not interested in hearing bedroom style demoes these days. If you send them a demo that cost 50 quid to record how can a band be expected to be taken seriously by a label/agent etc. I have experience in this area and I can say for certain that crap sounding demoes are binned much quicker than the demo that sounds like a finished product. bear in mind a finished demo is much more attractive to an indie label.....and majors for that matter.

Hi Flash, Im interested in anything except thrash metal. But then again one mans thrash metal is anothers Abba.....Like all music the genre terminology change every six months. Punk to me is the sex pistols, but I have a feeling what is termed punk now wont sound like the punk I know. Im more in to indie crossover guitar bands. Stuff like UNKLE is right up my street. But generally any band thats interesting I want to see them. A good place to start will be the morrings CD. If MTA is ok with me coming down one afternoon that would be great. I will PM him. Thanks for the info/advice C

Thankyou.

Hello Byre, what interfaces do you have for your HD3 system? Im genuiniely interested in this. I have a session I need to mix but require at least 16 analog outs, but preferably 24. Mixing in the box is not an option, it has to be through your fine console. Come on sell your studio to me

All you want to do is tear anything I have to say down so Im reluctant to spread the full CV heheh..... In a nutshell Ive produced a shitload of records. I dont say this for any kind of ego trip nonsense. If I were to list my experiences I would be writing this the same time tomorrow. One thing I can guarantee you will get an absaloute 100% honest opinion and or advice if I understand the subject matter. I dont spout my mouth off on everything and anything. If I dont know something I certainly wouldnt try and advise anyone on that subject. An important point I think you should understand is that I have no commercial studio for hire, I dont work in one, I dont play in a band.....there is no alterior motive with me. DO you know what I mean? I agree, but not when the so called advise is actually full of ill informed data which is supposed to be accurate information. I suppose most advise would be called wisdom. But were not just talking about wisdom here are we. (I Said) (You said)

Nope Byre, sorry your just not tickling my ivories. Like you Ive had much experience in this industry which has been filled with all sorts of highs and lows. I understand your catious stance but your so catious you actually come across as very negative and un inspiring. Clearly you have much experience but on the other hand your dishing out what is supposed to be advise but is in fact your opinion which is full of dis- information. This has little to with pro tools Im talking about in general. I cant pick up on all your points but they really are not accurate at all. Everything in life is a risk and there are no guarantees with any business. But that doesnt mean all studio duties should be left up to you. You gave that guy a good hammering. All hes doing is trying to make a living and he probably has a passion for what hes doing. What you said to him was just designed so that he would give up. That was not very fair at all. And yes, I definitely will come by your facility some day as I reckon your in need of some inspiration yourself. OH, and why you havent cleaned up in this area. Your facility is undoubtedly the best kitted out. BTW, which convertors do you have for your PTs HD3 system? Finally, I just want to say to any band looking to record in a studio. Check out the latest stuff they have recorded. If its crap you will get crap in return. Dont just think it will be different for you because your band is better. Check what comes out of these studios. If you like what you hear go and record there. And I cant emphasise the Engineer/Vibe enough. Its not just about equipment.......and if your band is crap no studio/engineer/vibe can fix that. peace

Sorry but I disagree with you. The only bad convertor Digidesign sold was the 888/24. The HD 192 convertor is an excellent convertor which has been proved many times. There has been a multitude of Shootouts between the Digi192 and convertors of the same price range and I have yet to see one person say the Digi 192 is a crap convertor. When convertors get to that level you would need to have amazingly golden ears to hear any difference between the 192 and an apogee. In fact the general consensus is that the 192 sounds very good and cant be faulted at its price range. As for reliability. You must be joking? PTs is probably the most reliable DAW out there. I dont know about LE systems or the M powered range but I have had no problems ever with PTs. Suer its crashed on me but definitely nothing on the scale of Say Logic. BTW, usinf Logic as front end for PTs is a recipe for disaster. Bottom line is that there are far more commercial releases which are recorded on Pro Tools than any other format/daw. If its good enough for major acts its good enough for me.

Flash, make your point whatever it is.

I agree with you. I have edited the post. If I still look immature then so be it.

Thanks for all your replies. I will definitely check out the names mentioned.........BTW, I wasnt asking about POP bands for TOTP. I just meant does anyone here a local band and think "Hmmm they sound like they could be on TOTP" or even A listed on radio one. Maybe its just me but I dont consider the guitar bands Im hearing on Radio One to be Pop bands. sounds all indie/gtr to me. Cheers

Anyone reading this please take it with a huge pinch of salt. I cant go over his points I would be here for ever but be assured that most of what is written is complete rubbish. And oh my god. The reek of negativity is very strong.

I keep running in to your posts. In EVERY one you are totally negative about EVERY aspect of the scene in Aberdeen. I cant stand to see is someone like you sapping the life out of budding (mostly) young musicians. Your the absaloute epitomy of DONT EVEN TRY.....DONT EVEN HOPE. Yet through all your negativity you always underline your points with an ad for your own studio. I dont know why anyone hasnt pulled you up, but I can only guess that most on this board lack the experience in this soul detroying industry as you clearly have. Heres a little thought for you. WHO THE WANTS TO TRAPES OUT IN THE COUNTRY TO RECORD.... where do you people get this idea that we need tranquility when recording. Shit man, I need a vibe when recording. I dont care if its in a sewer, if its got a vibe thats what I want. The ability to nip out for a Mcdonalds or go to a club after recording a happening session is something bands like doing. I cant very well do that in Auchtermithy Can I? Its not just the vibe of a studio that can get the creative juices flowing. Did you forget aboput the engineer. You have not mentioned how important this fact is one time on any of your posts. But you certainly mention Soundscape and tout it as if its some sort of biggie recording medium which its not. Your kinda weird actually. You have a great equipment list consisting of tools, Radar, Logic, soundscape, Pyramix, Radar Maybe even Fairlight MFX? and some other stuff. BUT, I bet very few have heard of Pyramix or Soundscape or Radar. Yet I bet most have heard of Pro Tools, and everytime you or someone on teh board mentions Pro Tools (i mean your expensive HD3 system) you always seem to shy from it, or mildly put it down. In one thread you actually said "I have a PTHD3 system but I will charge you 100 pounds per day extra to use it, and amazingly you go on to say 'Do you really need that"' ????? And the question sounded to me like someone was looking to hire a studio with a PTs facility. Didnt it cross your mind that seamless compatability was an important factor in the question. And is that the way you encourage bands to use your PTHD3 system in your studio.? Not exactkly good PR is it. However, in this thread you really went for the jugular. Big deal if the guys small studio advertises London Quality Sound (even though theres no such thing). what harm is he doing?. Basic bully boy tactic. How do you know hes not good at his craft? You also make a big deal that the quality of the recordings is down to the equipment. Actually your equipment list doesnt excite me one bit. You have very few botique toys....... You come across as all big n corporate yet your hanging around forums where unsigned bands hang out and basically piss all over the scene and the studios which I suppose you percieve as your competition. But way you bothered? Youve got clients all over the world. Why bother posting constant negativity? your not inspiring anyone. BTW, I have to mention. I produced/mixed/engineered a track that charted at number three in the UK charts. I mixed it using a Mackie SR24. A complete pile of crap you will agree. In your world budget gear cant work, doesnt work. What do you have to say about that then? Frankly im suprised that you get work from abroad, and have the facility you have. Personally I think your general attitude stinks and god help any band that gets the life drained out of them after a weary recording session with you. They will definitely pack it in and get a real job. My advice to you is try and INSPIRE. If theres youthful or even elderly wannabes here then surely a man with your experience could actually consider dishing out some inspiring advice. Go on, im sure that if you dig deep enough you could pull out some remnant of your optimistic youth and share some of the wisdom without a lecture. really, your running rampant around here and making as much sense as this guy someone has to set a balance when you post one of your heavily slanted and ill informed opinions. keep cool dude

Ive been away from the country for a number of years and Im interested to know the pulse of the local music scene again. In particular Im eager to check out the what might be considered the best of what Aberdeen has to offer. I seem to get an impression from the forums that heavy/thrash metal is the thing just now. Or am I wrong? personally im not in to thrash metal bands so I hope there are alternatives. Which bands are taking their shit seriously? Any local bands getting national medial exposure? Is there a band who you think sound like they could be on TOTP. I know it may sound cliche.... Ive only been back in the country a few weeks and have been listening to the radio and am impressed by what indie guitar bands are doing at the moment. So, if you have a personal local band which one would that be. Cheers