Mixing / Production

Not many bands would set up banks of modular and analogue synths in Paddington station and play free for the delight of the weary commuters. node did — but then that's the kind of guys they are. Nigel Humberstone talks to half of the band about free-form composition, inspired mistakes, and the lack of sex appeal in electronic music.

The Sabres Of Paradise are familiar to many as the experimental dance project headed by renowned DJ/Producer Andy Weatherall. However, the two other members of the Sabres also have an extensive list of production and remix credits to their credit. Nigel Humberstone talked to them at the Sabresonic Studio about their recent work.

Rob Parrett catches up with veteran musician Rabbit, also known as John Bundrick, who's still in demand as a session keyboardist after more than 25 years in the business.

A lavish production well ahead of its time, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' remains one of British rock's finest moments. Twenty years after its original release, Mark Cunningham learns how the mercurial muse was committed to tape from its producer, Roy Thomas Baker, and (then assistant) mix engineer, Gary Langan.

Having nearly made it in the '80s with an awesome sound on a par with Trevor Horn's productions, UK electronic music stalwart Mark Shreeve is back, with his sights set on Hollywood. Jonathan Miller discusses vintage gear, multi-million pound albums, and Samantha Fox.

The distinctive hard-edged sound of The Young Gods owes much to current sampling technology. Nigel Humberstone investigates.

With a second album release imminent, Nigel Humberstone talks to the creative driving force behind D-Ream, Peter Cunnah.

Why do so many mainstream record producers regard young mixers with such suspicion, and why do thrusting young remixers regard producers as such boring old farts? Engineer/producer Phil Da Costa thinks the answer lies in the different approaches to making records held by producers and DJ/remixers alike.

Steve Reich's latest composition, City Life, is an eclectic blend of classical music and sampled urban sounds, all played live. A few days after the UK premiere, Paul Tingen talks to the acclaimed avant-garde composer about his inspiration for the piece, and its realisation on stage.

The Orb survived a barrage of legal wrangles, financial upsets and personnel changes to deliver their latest collection of Ambient musical adventures. Mark J. Prendergast gets the word from the group's founder, Alex Paterson.

A relative newcomer to the UK electronic music scene, Andy Pickford is giving the likes of Mark Shreeve, Ian Boddy, and John Dyson a run for their money. Jonathan Miller witnesses the new kid on the block in action at Derby Cathedral.

Having recently completed two new World Music albums, one for Indian electric mandolin player U. Srinivas, the other with legendary Pakistani Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Canadian producer/guitarist Michael Brook never wanted to confront music technology ever again! Paul Tingen explains why...

Michael Errington started his career selling pianos, but now he's living in LA and writing scores for Hollywood movies. Paul White discovers what happened in between...

According to successful freelance engineer and producer Peter Jones, the marriage between the producer and the artist is far too important to be left to chance. Here he argues the case for a more targeted approach that would allow for some interesting cross-fertilisation.

With Portishead's much acclaimed Gold selling debut album, Dummy, riding high in the charts, the West Country finally have an act to make a song and dance about. Jonathan Miller gets the low down on fame, fortune and M16 from co-producer and band member Adrian Utley, a man of many talents.

French musician Hector Zazou's quest for sounds and songs with a difference took him North, to find ethnic drumming from Siberia, joik chanting from Lapland, and the disappearing folk music of the World's northern tribes — which he combined with contributions from himself and world-famous artists, to create a unique musical experience. Paul Tingen gets some Northern Exposure.

Today, back catalogue sales account for much of the revenue generated by record companies. Here, producer Martyn Ware considers what will happen when there is no longer any back catalogue left to exploit...

Fancy owning an instrument which used to belong to keyboard legend Keith Emerson? Gordon Reid gets a sneak preview of part of Keith's collection, now up for sale, and chats to Keith about his spring clearout and his current projects.

Nigel Humberstone gets a rare glimpse inside Mute Records' in-house studio, talks to Mute band Nitzer Ebb and Renegade Soundwave, and interviews the label's elusive and influential founder, Daniel Miller.

Some record producers may object to having their work remixed, yet according to producer Charlie Mallozzi and Marco Sabiu — better known as the Rapino Brothers — remixing is an acceptable alternative way of viewing a track. Here they explain why there will always be room for the remixer...

Ann Dudley first came to fame as one of the shadowy figures behind the seminal Art of Noise. But she refused to be confined by the boundaries of pop, and has since exercised her considerable talents in album arranging and composing for film and TV. Richard Buskin talked to her about her musical history and forthcoming album.