Hi fellow builders, as always, I sincerely hope you and yours are fine.
This is not really an update, but more of a ‘diary type’ post (if I may) to let you know about the next phase of Studio 4’s existence! Still no mics, still no rug, and still no finished kitchenette and restroom, but stuff to share that might be useful to others nonetheless.
First of course – The replies.
DH – Sarah divorced me a month ago – Her girls hate me for what I’ve put them through – My home has been condemned – The Council say I can’t operate – The Motorway comes through our close before the end of the year, and, my sub-woofer has packed up and there’s no way I can get it out without tearing my desks and workstation apart! Other than that everything’s cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re a star dude!
Snowdog99 – I’m not teasing my friend, I promise. The chap who I’m trying to get hold of to shoot the publicity walkthrough, is currently filming abroad! So I guess that once again – Patience is a virtue.
VK – Thank you buddy, real nice of you to say, and, the pic you require is included!
JWL – Nice to hear from you Sir, I hope you and yours are well, and of course, like James, you’d be made most welcome. I play a bit of guitar occasionally too.
John – Mate…………………………………..what can I possibly say to that? Other than thank you. I really hope that one day, somehow, our paths will cross and I can show you first hand Studio 4. Much warmth my friend.
Lord Tim – Be lucky mate, your talent clearly deserves it, and thank you!
Ro – Right, you and I are definitely due a session together, bass, guitar, keys, drums, you name it we can do it. Hell dude, you’re less than half a day from me. Let’s make this happen, it would be great for the forum as well. Sorry forgot to mention beer, great food, and fine hospitality for you and yours. (Awesome build you’re on btw!)
Mosh – Mosh on as always! If you and Brien epitomise Alabama, I can’t wait to visit. Sarah's been several times and says it's beautiful.
Kendale – Ken forgive me when I just ditto remarks to John. It’s not laziness, just a warm thank you to you as well for all your help over the last 15 months, including, of course, all the stuff in the background. How are the roses btw? And, Mrs Kendale?
Yul Rarse – Much appreciated my friend, and, ahem, weren’t you coming to visit? Yes people I need witnesses.
So chaps, believe it or not, there’s been enough going on to keep me busy, but the real stuff will kick in from January. There is still much to do re: marketing etc, however the word is already getting out.
Now I know some of you (like me) are the sentimental types, so if I may, I’d just like to quickly share a really special moment with you all.
Last week I had a guest of honour visit. It was a bit fiddly getting him in and I’m not sure he was completely certain where he was or why (he has alzheimers), but this fellow was last seen here a year ago on his 80th birthday. As an ex-drummer, and one of my main heroes in life, I present to the forum ……………..My Dad! Having a great time listening to Gordon Goodwin, Nat King Cole, Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan, et al!!!!!!!!!! (He didn’t ask me to turn it down once! – 2.5 kw rig nearly full on! - Result).
Three and a half hours of free time, getting his wheelchair in and out, blah blah blah………………lovely!
Ok, sorry guys but I know my mates up here would see the nice side of that pic.
On then, to what I’ve been trying to squeeze in around work.
One can have a nice studio, one can also have a reputation for being capable of delivering results, however, one must always accept that no matter what you have, it becomes worthless if people don’t know about it. Time then, to get the marketing machine going.
You know I love my pictures, (nearly 2,000 on this thread) but, when it comes to publicity and marketing you just have to accept that for brochures and websites, you need to employ a good photographer with good kit.
Introducing then another guy called Andy. An absolutely smashing chap who, if he wasn’t a photographer, would have made a great musician because he’s so easy to work with.
He was totally cool to let me art direct the first of three shoots, and had no problem with me photographing him working, basically he couldn’t do enough to help.
Incidentally, for the geeks like me, what he’s got in his hands costs around the same as my desks, monitoring and focusrites put together!!!!!!!!!!!! (28 megapixel Mamiya).
I purchased the copyright for these of course, so here are some of the results (low-res) of our first encounter. The other two sessions are booked for when the mics arrive and I get drummer Andy back down to help me fine tune the kit in a recording situation. All in all I’ll eventually end up with enough images for the website and brochure. When you get into these pictures properly, there’s enough detail to create ten times more!
The following images are provided by kind permission of
Andy Brown Photography.
Panoramic with me looking untidy – To be re-shot.
Right hand rack.
I love this one – 96 khz L Sur! How sad am I?
Left hand rack.
‘Arty heaven’ Depth of field is everything!
The shot that the Tascam people didn’t publish. (To be re-shot). Yes, of course the faders are automated, hence the intended blur.
What portholes on Peter Keeling’s awesome doors?
Line 6 also get a mention!
Not to mention Mr Parker himself.
Live room to control room. People make these shots work better – I think. (Even if it’s me!)
Another panoramic.
Moody, but nicely so!
And finally, especially for VK – It’s done mate!!
There you go for this one guys,
More soon,
Thanks as always for reading,
Warmest regards to all my mates,
Lou.
