Mon, 19 Jul 2010

And Also The Trees Live In Berlin 9th July 2010






















Matthew was once again out on tour with And Also the Trees. This time they were performing acoustically at the invitation of performance artist John Bock. The concert was situated in front of an exhibition he has curated at the Temporäre Kunsthalle in Berlin called FischGrätenMelkStand.
The echoey acoustics presented one or two challenges, but by keeping onstage volumes down and not chasing high SPL's a good sound was achieved. The more than capacity audience of over 400 people loved the performance.


Sun, 18 Jul 2010

Two new boys for the studio.



Catering for the discerning guitarist has always been one of our missions, we are lucky to announce a couple of new additions to the studio arsenal. Firstly we have the Mallard combo made by guitar amp tonemeister Mick Grabham, he of Procul Harem fame. This amp has to be the finest sounding 18 watt combo that I have ever heard, If you are looking for that early Marshall/Vox Valve sound then this amp has it in spades. This is a very special amp and spends all its time safely tucked up in the studio. Secondly I decided to make my own amp, no doubt inspired by the Mallard. Given that the Fender Tweed deluxe is a well documented amp and has a great deal of information concerning its construction on the internet, I decided that this was a great amp to begin with. Starting off with some research seemed like a good idea, so much study later I started the build with a chassis and component combination from Mojo in the States. Construction went well with many questions answered by looking at other builds on the internet. Valves and transformers were provided by one of the most helpful people I have ever spoken to, many thanks to Philip at Bluebell audio in Dundee for all your invaluable help. Cabinet making is not my forte, and would have required a huge investment in routers, thingies and sharp chisels which would no doubt have reduced my finger count somewhat so a cabinet was ordered from Rory Coupland in the Cotswolds, and a fine cabinet it was. Covering the cabinet was farmed out to my very talented son Ben Jones, who is a master Trimmer at Morgan Cars in Malvern. We were looking for a 1950's vibe with red and cream leather and a silver grill, hopefully pushing the automotive theme to the fore. Now that most of the components were in place a decision had to be made about a speaker. An original spec Jensen was the answer. The amp sounds great and looks fantastic. Just a handle to go and the job is complete.Hope you like "Lil Red". Number two will be making an appearance soon, once I have decided what it will look like.

Tue, 18 May 2010

John Etheridge and Chris Garrick Duo at The Barn



Saturday May 8th heralded Mu-Mu's foray into the world of gig promotion, with a brilliant performance by two outstanding musicians John Etheridge and Chris Garrick at Hellens Barn.
They delighted the audience with their musical interplay and between numbers banter. They showcased material from their latest album "Men on Wire" and also from "At The Dimming of the Day". Armed with guitars, violins, looper pedals and effects the duo's music included Mercy street by Peter Gabriel and Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone amongst others. A very successful evening with the audience asking for further concerts of this quality! We would like to think the addition of food and beer from Malvern Hills Brewery helped to make this event special.

Tue, 30 Mar 2010

Trees back at the Barn




Last weekend saw the return of "And Also The Trees" to the Barn for a recording session over two days tracking live acoustic songs for a new DVD. They were looking for a live vibe with some separation and control, but allowing Simon to track vocals live. We decided to bring out the Soundfield for vocal duties, and use an M/S pair for Justin's guitar, with a combination of the Valve Classic and Brauner for Eza on Double Bass. The Soundfield makes a really great vocal microphone, although it is not normally considered as a first choice in this role. Everybody was really pleased with the quality of the recording as well as the great vibe that the Barn brought to the session. AATT worked really hard over the two days recording twelve tracks in total. There will be some Dulcimer overdubs, and, maybe some guitar, but the vocals and backing vocals were all recorded live. Mixing will be at Raglan House as soon as we have the overdubs finished.

Sat, 06 Mar 2010

Jazz at the Barn



Mu-Mu have decided that the Summer needs kicking off with a bit of a party, so we have teamed up with Malvern Hills Brewery and booked two of the finest Jazz players anywhere to play at the party at Hellens Manor on May 8th this year. The players in question are, John Etheridge Guitar legend, and Chris Garrick on violin. Johns playing is nothing short of sensational as his stints with Soft Machine, Billy Cobham, Nigel kennedy, Stephan Grapelli's quartet and John Williams bear out.

Chris is widely recognised as the foremost Jazz violinist in Britain and one of the leading players on the world scene. He has toured with Cleo Laine, Angelo Debarre, Julian Joseph and Szapora, and recorded with artists including Van Morrison, Bryan Ferry and Luka Bloom. He has also featured on numerous film soundtracks including "Brideshead Revisited", "Borat", "Moulin Rouge", "Tomorrow Never Dies", and many more.

The Party starts at 6.30pm at Hellens Barn Much Marcle Herefordshire, and Tickets include a Pig Roast with Vegetarian options. Ticket prices are £17.00 in advance or £20.00 on the door.

Malvern Hills Brewery are going to be in attendance providing the necessary liquid refreshment, plus Hellens are providing a further bar for those who do not drink beer.

John and Chris will be playing material from their recent albums as well as a wide selection of music from the worlds of Jazz,Folk,World,and Rock.

The party will provide anyone who comes with the opportunity to see and hear two of the finest musicians in the world in a fantastic location, with fantastic beer and food. Did I mention the beer, (Yes?).

Well that's about it if you need further details email us on info@mu-mu.eu, or contact Hellens Manor via their web site or telephone them on 01531 660504 to book tickets.

Sat, 14 Nov 2009

Recording Aisa Ijiri at Hellens Barn.


Mu-Mu have been asked to record the Pianist Aisa Ijiri when she plays at Hellens barn Much Marcle on November the 28th.

Aisa Ijiri is one of the finest Japanese pianists of her generation, qualified as "a pianist of exceptional quality, whose sophisticated musicality and artistic integrity are harnessed to a virtuoso technique".

Born in 1981 in Kyoto, Japan, at the age of Seven she made her first public appearance playing Beethoven Sonata at the Kyoto Alti Hall.

Aisa was awarded the Bachelor's degree at the Royal College of Music Stockholm in 2004, followed by a Masters Degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2005, and an Artistic Diploma at the Royal College of Music in London in 2007.

We are very excited at the prospect of recording such an outstanding talent

Sat, 14 Nov 2009

Linda Tolchard Christmas CD



Linda Tolchard has released her latest CD "Christmas by Candlelight"



Recorded and mixed by Mu-Mu last summer, and mastered by Jon Astley.



Arrangements written by Jon Nicholls.






















As can be seen in the photos some attempt was made to enter into the Christmas spirit in the middle of Summer. Although we drew the line at wearing full Santa outfits.

Fri, 09 Oct 2009

Busy Couple of Months


It has been a busy couple of months for Mu-Mu, what with the recording of Linda Tolchards new Christmas album at Wyastone Leys, followed up by the mixing which was a bit nerve wracking at times given the deadlines and Jon Nicholls, the arranger being super busy, but all went well and the mastering was once again performed by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge mastering. Release date should be at the end of October,more details when we get them.

Something a bit different in the form of some sound design for a film trailer which seems to be going well, once again more details as and when we get them.

Matthew recorded Linda Tolchard at the Huntingdon Hall in Worcester, which went very well with Linda sounding fantastic as usual.

Matthew has just left to go on tour with And Also The Trees with dates in Germany at Munster, and, Halle. Then into Switzerland for dates in Zurich, and, Lausanne. Then back into Germany for Nuremberg and Frankfurt. Then all the way back down to Italy for a date in Milan. The Trees will be performing their acoustic set which is going from strength to strength.

Mon, 11 May 2009

When The Rains Come.


We have recently completed work on the new acoustic album by "And Also The Trees" Recorded at the "Barn" using the "Soundfield" microphone on guitar and various other instruments. We are really pleased with the result, as are the "Trees"

Here is a sneak preview of the cover. It is available to buy on the "And Also The Trees" website.

It will be available in the shops from June 8th 2009.

Sun, 05 Apr 2009

Calling Me Home


Another album just about to completed is "Calling Me Home" by the classical crossover singer Linda Tolchard. This album was recorded at Wyastone Concert Hall, home to Nimbus records. The album comprises a mixture of solo piano and vocal and fully orchestrated pieces. The orchestrations have been written specially for Linda by Jon Nicholls, with careful instrumental choices, providing the perfect balance between classical and ambient that Linda was looking for. Mixes have just been completed by Matthew and Paul and mastering has been scheduled imminently with Jon Astley ( Tori Amos, The Who, Tears for Fears and many others). Details concerning album release dates and concert performances can be found on Linda's brand new website.

Sun, 05 Apr 2009

"When the rains come"


The acoustic album by "And Also The Trees" has now been mixed by Matthew Devenish of Mu-Mu at Raglan house and is ready for mastering. "When the rains come" is being mastered by Denis Blackham at Skye Mastering. Denis has previously worked with Simon Jones on his collaborative venture November , and was selected due to his vast experience particularly in the field of acoustic music mastering. As you can see in the picture taken during one of the sessions the Soundfield featured prominently, whether recording acoustic guitar, hammered dulcimer, or accordion. It performed beautifully on whatever we put in front of it, showing just how versatile it is. The album has a freshness and vitality that will hopefully introduce AATT to a new audience, listening to some reinterpretations of choice material from their back catalogue.

Tue, 03 Mar 2009

Men in Black at the Barn.

Mu-Mu have had a rather busy week, recording "And Also The Trees" at the Barn.
An exciting acoustic album, drawing on material recorded from the start of their career to the present day. Concentrating on Acoustic guitar (Justin), and double bass (Ian) in the main barn, with Simon recording vocals in the small barn, with a great view of the Hereford countryside. Emer recorded some Melodica and Hammered dulcimer.

Overdubs next week with lots of backing vocals, Hammered Dulcimer, Accordion and Mandolin.

Sun, 02 Nov 2008

And Also The Trees European Tour 2008







Matthew has just been on tour with AATT live sound mixing . Paris, Geneva, Rome, Lugano, Liege, Vincenza and Bochum were places visited. Good performances and of course great sound were achieved.
A first for the band was an entirely acoustic performance with the sacre- coeur as a backdrop.
For the first time live digital desks made their appearance at some venues, Digidesign venue and Yamaha LS9. The journey took them to the top of the Alps - what a view! past lake Lugano and into Italy and then Rome.
This tour was otherwise known as the "Gastro" tour due to the excellent food and drink that was consumed! Chilli introduced us to a couple of new animals in his menagerie!

Fri, 05 Sep 2008

mu-mu Studio install

























Mu-Mu Have just completed a studio installation at Wolverley Secondary School in Worcestershire. In line with the Schools requirement to expand their music technology department Mu-Mu were asked to assemble a studio that would provide state of the art facilities. incorporating the flexibility that a comes with the latest in digital mixing console design allied with a powerful Firewire interface sending audio and midi to and from the latest version of Apple Logic Pro. A complete refurbishment of the existing rooms was undertaken by The Studio People with a custom made workstation providing a permanent home for the Tascam DM 3200 Mixing console and Apple Mac Pro computer. A complete structural refit was accomplished incorporating extensive acoustic treatment and a new air-conditioning system installed in the redesigned roof space. New flooring and bass trapping have completely changed the original barn like acoustics and transformed the spaces into a comfortable and great sounding teaching environment. Replacement of the old ADAT recorder in the larger downstairs studio with a new HD 24 Hard drive recorder, along with a new patching system allowing connection of the two studios to the new control room will provide a flexible system allowing both studios to be used at the same time if required. Mu-Mu will be providing all the training required enabling teaching staff to be fully conversant with the system before the studio becomes fully functional shortly after the start of the Autumn term.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008

Worcester male voice choir


mu-mu. have been commissioned to record the Worcester Male voice choir performing their popular Christmas concert at Pershore Abbey. Brass band and various guest vocalists,

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

Soundfield Microphone.



The recent acquisition of a Soundfield SPS-422B microphone system means that we can now offer high quality recording services in an extremely compact and portable format. From mono to sophisticated surround sound recording in one amazing microphone. Ideal for recordings where the complexity of multi microphone systems are either too obtrusive or simply outside of your budget. We can provide a complete service including the Recording. Editing. Mixing, and Mastering of your performance followed up by arranging for CD artwork and CD pressing all at realistic prices and to the highest standards. The whole process being supervised personally by Matthew or Paul. From the smallest group to the largest orchestra We have a package suitable for you
Call for a quote.
Telephone. 07770 541977 or
E-Mail: info@mu-mu.eu www.mu-mu.eu

Thu, 14 Aug 2008

Wolverley CE Secondary School

Mu-Mu have been contracted as consultants to specify, install and provide Training for Wolverley School's new State of the Art Recording Studio. More information and Photos will follow Shortly.

Fri, 16 Nov 2007

Subtone Club


Matthew Devenish and Paul Jones from Mu-Mu have just finished the installation of the sound systems for the new bar at Subtone club in Cheltenham.

Mon, 29 Oct 2007

Quote of the week


After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
Aldous Huxley (1894 - 1963).

Sat, 20 Oct 2007

Mu-Mu now posting

This is the new Blog for Mu-Mu recording.