Blimey
Edo! Thank you so much!
Not sure where to start, but the 'like' button is just to the right of the Control Room picture on the Studio's page, and above the five thumbnails that appear below it!
As for the recording / Mix / Mastering process? Well, my goal was to achieve a live sound, and to avoid (at all costs) everything sounding in the middle! I used Gordon Goodwin's Phat Band as a reference point!
From there, I simply had the idea of a 'ridiculous kiss-ass, tighter than tight' band playing Simon's wonderful arrangement, with Eddie floating around all over the top!
Now, they're all great players, he's a great singer, and my rooms are designed to give me what I wanted in the first place - Just the natural sound of whatever is being recorded! Hence double bass was done in the iso booth and drums and brass in the live room!. So, I have to say that there is absolutely NO eq on anything in the brass, nothing on double bass, nothing on drums, a little on the piano, and again a little on the lead vocal!
Because I also 'read', and had Simon's score in front of me, I was able to follow every phrase! Bass Trombone and Baritone Sax were regularly in unison, so getting the Saxes and Trombones to 'sit' together, yet still be able to hear both instruments was indeed a challenge and, yes, whilst I've recorded 'pop brass' several times, this is indeed the first Big Band project in here!
Now, another thing that is important to say is that on my Dad's side (he's up here btw - much earlier post) I was brought up with the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton et al! So, I kinda knew where I was aiming - But - For me, I've never viewed the stereo image as one dimensional i.e., Left to Right, but instead as two dimensional to include (of course) front to back! I've lost count over the years of the number of times clients have asked for more reverb because they think it will make them come 'forward in the mix'!
You, clearly understand, that exactly the opposite is true, and it's real nice not to feel lonely on this point! Haha!
As for
"...the mix is the easy part"
Ha! Funny as hell, and you know that's not the case! My 'arrid' sense of humour loved that one buddy!
Those guys are mates, 'top drawer' players, and have lovely 'tones' when playing. Therefore NO compression, NO limiting, and definitely NO gating! If you want to get rid of foot taps, chit-chat, fidgeting with instruments between phrases - you gotta get your ass on the chair and go through and cut all the crap you don't need mannually! You've seen the screenshot.
It's arduous, time consuming, but L'Oreal! (If you get my point)
You take care buddy, and if you 'like' the Studio page, it would mean so much if you were able to maybe edit, copy and paste your very kind comments above! Plus, since you're on Facebook, feel free to send me a friend request - I'm the only Lou Stonehill up here!
Best wishes to you and yours dude!
Lou.