jwcv1

Hey there. I’m Jim - a freelance engineer from Shropshire. I spent
over a decade in broadcasting - both in front of and behind the
mic - before finally deciding in 2008 to go self-employed to pursue
my dream career in audio engineering.
I launched my own sound engineering business, recording local bands
and singer/songwriters and mixing live sound. I was soon hired to
tour with the Grammy winning Albert Lee and was his FOH engineer
for 7 years - touring Europe, the UK and the U.S. and honing my
skills in venues large and small, using a wide variety of digital
and analogue systems.
In addition to rock & pop I have also recorded choral albums for
Welsh National Opera and Black Mountain Records. I freelanced for
a spell at Foel Studio in Mid Wales and currently freelance at
Systems Workshop as a systems engineer for their Fohhn
distribution arm.
Whilst I enjoy touring and live sound, I live for the studio !

Skills / Knowledge / Attributes :
Apart from basic mic skills, analogue and digital editing and
recording skills learned in broadcasting I am entirely self taught
and enjoy learning new skills and concepts all the time.
- Understanding of patch bays and signal routing. I could happily
spend hours with my head in a rack, wiring in equipment.
- How to properly calibrate analogue and digital equipment
to house standards (i.e. -20dBFS / 0VU / +4dBu)
- Calibration of studio monitoring to Bob Katz’s K system
- How to demag, clean and align analogue tape decks (Studer A80)
- Calibration of Dolby 363 for use as Dolby S N/R with Studer A80
- Understanding of analogue tape and its various flux levels
- Skilled in analogue tape editing (razor blade and chinagraph) and
digital editing with hundreds of hours of “invisible” edits under
my belt.
- Advanced skills in analogue 2-track recording and multitrack
digital recording and mixing (ProTools, Reaper) both in-the-box
using automation and also hybrid mixing (part automated, mixing
on analogue console from stems) and full analogue mixing.

- Use of a variety of consoles such as Midas Heritage, Soundcraft
MH series, Midas Pro series, Trident 80b and SSL AWS 924
- A great set of ears with a full understanding of the principles
of EQ and compression, how to use those tools along with effects
to create well balanced mixes with depth, life and colour.
- In depth knowledge of a variety of mic techniques including close
multi mic, spaced array, close coincident pair and good knowledge and
experience with a host of classic and workhorse microphones and
pre-amps.
- Understanding of audio theory and its application such as dither,
S/N ratio, the importance of headroom and dynamic range in
recording, mixing and mastering and implementation of standards
such as K-14/K-20 and EBU R128.
- An ear for knowing what works in a production, ability to add
creative, musical ideas as required, how to help musicians feel at
ease and encourage/manipulate them if neccessary to come up with
their best work and also knowing when to keep quiet sometimes !
- Vocalist, guitarist, bass player and keyboard player
- Helpful, super enthusiastic and reliable person to have around
with total dedication.

Audio Examples (mp3) :
Rock/Acoustic (Male vocal)
(Multitrack, studio recording and mix)
Soul / Pop (Female vocal)
(Multitrack, live recording, studio mix)
Acoustic (Male vocal)
(M/S pair guitar, LDC cardioid vocal, live in studio)
Choral (Male vocals)
(ORTF pair on choir, SDC mic piano, LDC organ, on location)
Opera (Female vocal)
(ORTF pair & omni on vocal, spot mic on piano, on location)

For references please contact :
Peter Baron (Albert Lee band)
2 Grove Road
Willesden Green
London NW2 5TB
email : peterbaron@albertleeandhogansheroes.com
Mike Evans (Black Mountain Records)
P.O. Box 89
The Mumbles
Swansea SA3 4XT
email : mike@blackmountain.me.uk
Further references may be supplied as required.