Mixing / Production

Newcastle-based Dubstar released one of the most successful pure pop albums of the last 12 months — and they made most of it using gear that wouldn't be out of place in many SOS readers' studios. Matt Bell gets sidereal with the band's programmer and main songwriter, Steve Hillier.

Gary Numan's music epitomises the electro-pop era and undoubtedly helped boost synth sales in the early '80s. with the chart re-entry of his classic hit single 'Cars' Numan is approaching his third decade in pop. Jonathan Miller receives a lesson in the art of survival...

It's taken a couple of years, but 808 State have at last emerged from a variety of studios with a sleek new album, the superbly-crafted Don Solaris. Mat Bell talks to head of State Graham Massey.

Nigel Shaw isn't signed to a record company, yet sales from the multiple albums he's produced in his home studio enable him to make a good living from his talents. Paul Tingen talks to him about the business of independent music

With years of record label legal wrangles finally behind him, George Michael set about making an album to put him back at the top of the charts and consolidate his status as serious artist/producer. Working the desks on the Older sessions at SARM West was engineer Paul Gomersall, who tells Mark Cunningham about the making of the album.

The last year has seen Steve Rodway shoot to fame as a producer/remixer whose golden touch is on the mainstream charts. Matt Bell meets the man behind the Motiv8 to discuss his mixing methods, the technology he uses, and the remix work that put him on the map...

You might expect Bjork's eclectic repertoire and capricious temperament to make the task of arranging and sequencing her live shows a nightmare. As Paul Tingen discovers, however, for Guy Sigsworth, that's half the fun...

In spite of his success producing Saint Etienne, Ian Catt hasn't left his roots behind. Richard Clewes talks to him about his work with the band, his production techniques, and how to place an SM58 in a U-bend for that ultimate 'Armitage Shanks' sound...

This duo can take the credit for an amazing range of TV themes and scores, but how did they get into such a fiercely competitive industry in the first place? Paul White learns about the ratings game...

For most of us, computers in the studio are part and parcel of the digital revolution. Not from where avant-garde composer Paul Schutze is standing. Paul Tingen discovers a new perspective...

Once the artist, their record company and A&R manager have agreed the balance sheet, there are still artistic questions to be resolved. This month, continuing his look at working as a team, David Mellor explains how producer, arranger, programmer and session musician can live together in perfect harmony...

'I once believed in Jesus, now I can't believe in rock' n' roll." ex-Virgin Prune Gavin Friday may have his cross to bear, but this gadfly of the Irish rock scene isn't one to let the grass grow under his feet...

In his time, Ron Berry has been a synth-player and a freelance designer — but it's as an electronics hobbyist that he cut his teeth. Jonathan Miller meets the man who keeps the DIY ethic alive.

Over three years, Towering Inferno (led by core duo Andy Sanders and Richard Wolfson) engaged the services of over 50 performers to produce their self-financed opus Kaddish — described by Brian Eno as " the most frightening record i have ever heard!" peter jones charts the development of this ambitious project.

Mark J. Prendergast catches up with ace remixer/musician William Orbit to learn of his newfound passion for classical music.

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.