JOHN DELF

Studio Owner / Producer / Engineer

“I have over 30 years’ sound engineering experience - I guess you could say I have a well trained ear when it comes to perfecting sound. It’s a skill I like to think I’ve mastered over the years, based on a natural ability to hone in on precise elements of the music to ensure each layer and instrument is enhanced to its optimum so that, ultimately, they move the listener."

Where it all began: “After a 3 month course at teaching studio Spirit in Manchester, I was offered a job as a sound engineer with Star Trak Studios. The best way to learn my trade was through hands on experience with many long, unsociable hours learning everything I could about the recording process and technical equipment, achieving particular effects, production techniques and interacting with live bands – even a session for Oasis before they got signed.

Before long I was producing and mixing bands in the studio. Some of those bands invited me on the road to mix sound for their live tours. Since then I’ve had the privilege of traveling around the world many times with some of the biggest names in the music industry and have mixed shows for audiences of up to 185,000 people.

In the studio, I like to help artists to find and create their unique sound; one which connects with their audience in a captivating way. Achieving clarity and depth – the distinctive ‘natural’ sound of our studio helps us to deliver that. Endorsement by the music industry’s leading equipment manufacturers helps too. Our extensive kit from SSL, Sennheiser, Aston and Neumann enables us to create a larger than life soundscape.” - I am a member of the Aston 33 development team for Aston Mics.

Highlights: “To date it would be touring the world mixing sound in stadiums and arenas with 5 Seconds of Summer, mixing the main stage of Glastonbury with Lily Allen and Plan B, T in the Park, V Festival and Oxegen Festival. Supports with One Direction, Adele, Paul McCartney, U2 and Take That as well, but one of my most lasting memories will be mixing a show in John Peel’s back garden.”

TV & Radio Credits: Jools Holland, Jonathan Ross, Comic Relief, Children In Need, Top of The Pops, This Morning, Saturday Night Live, Today Show, The Letterman Show, Ellen, Jay Leno, This Morning, Jimmy Kimmell, Craig Ferguson, Loose Women, MTV, VH1, Sunrise, Radio 1, 2 & 4, XFM, Capital Radio, Key 103, John Peel, Dermot O’Leary, Jo Whiley, Steve Lamacq, Mark Radcliffe….

JON SWORD

Producer / Engineer

After 32 years as a pro sound engineer, Jon really is at the top of his game right now. He still shows all of the same passions for audio manipulation, and has a breadth of knowledge mixing all genres of music.

From learning his craft back in the late 80’s, to still picking up skills in the present day, Jon knows that there is always something new to learn. Whether this be live audio design, live engineering for major worldwide artists, studio design, or innovative ways of recording music working close with the artists, Jon is adaptable and highly specialised in a variety of areas.

Here are a few of His credentials..

Live Artists - Sophie Ellis-Bextor (10 years+), The Feeling (10 years+), 10cc (8 years+), Bush, The Killers, Longview, Edward 2, BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, The Magic Numbers, Travis… to name a few.

Studio - producer of three albums for Edward 2; working at The Track Station, Burton on Trent for over 5 years; installing the audio suite at Manchester Band on the wall, incl. the system of multi tracking from the live venue to the studio remotely (this system is still in use after 10 years); writing, mixing and producing Dance music for over 10 years with a full knowledge of synthesis and midi systems.

Jon is still a kid in a sweet shop when it comes to audio application, always serious about having fun!!

GAZ DUPES - Producer / Engineer

Self proclaimed Recording enthusiast/obsessive, Gaz's attention to detail is second to none. He can build studios as well as he can build mixes. He is a producer of exceptional standard, and a lover of all styles of music.

Here's some bands you may have heard on the radio that he’s recorded -

The Lottery Winners, The C33s, The Drifting Classroom, We’re All Aliens, The Hanami family, Peter & the Werewolf, Richard Clough, Heavy Lemo, The Twenty Two, Bingo Harry.

BEN BOOKER

Record Producer and Mastering Engineer

Ben Booker has been working actively in the music industry for over 20 years, both live and in the studio. He has worked with a multitude of artists, as varied and distinguished as; Bob Dylan, Elton John, PJ Harvey, Scissor Sisters and 5 Seconds of Summer. In the live world Ben is a world-renowned front-of-house and monitor engineer who has worked at every level, from intimate clubs to stadiums, as well as pretty much every major festival in the world. Ben has mixed and mastered Primal Scream, Scissor Sisters, The Coral and PJ Harvey. A key ear to finalise your music is essential, and Ben is undoubtedly able to achieve this.

DAVE SPEAKMAN - Producer / Engineer / Session Guitarist

Dave has worked as a session guitarist and educator for the last 20 years. Working as a musician has taken Dave all over Europe and given him the delight of playing live on BBC radio and in many of the UK's best jazz clubs, hotels, restaurants, festivals, theatres and recording studios. Dave's career has seen him performing with The Hot Jazz Biscuits, Kristyna Myles and Andy Prior along with members of The Kooks, Go Go Penguin, The Cinematic Orchestra, Lamb and Aim. Dave's guitar work can be heard on many TV programmes as a session guitarist for prolific composers Vedhall. Dave also teaches guitar at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Work as a session musician has gradually evolved, requiring musicians to do more and more recording themselves. Dave's work has naturally progressed in this direction; he began working as a freelance sound engineer in 2013, recording and producing many of the bands and artists he had already toured with. Dave’s background as a musician is a major asset as a producer/engineer, particularly if you need string arrangements, extra guitar/bass parts or a little percussion. Dave's extensive and continual training includes a BA (hons) in Popular Music and Recording from Salford University, an Advanced Diploma in Studio Production and Mastering from SSR and Pro Tools 210M Operator from Avid.

Place your record in safe hands. Click here for EDGE MIXING AND MASTERING SERVICES.

All good photography on this site courtesy of Graham Flack, Jason S Kenny, Jon Hoeg, Lisa Rankin and Seb Morgan

STUDIO BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES:

John Delf:

+44 (0)7807021646

email : enquiries@recordingstudiocheshire.co.uk