Tape Notes In The Woods

Thanks to Highnote for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.
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In this episode, John ventures over to Clapton to join James Ellis Ford and talk about how he wrote, recorded, and produced the album ‘The Hum’.

His debut solo release after almost two decades working with some of the world's biggest artists, James looks back on how his approach to music has changed over the course of the album, reflecting on the different mindsets and decisions that come with producing his own work compared to that of others.

As well as a deep dive into his vast studio setup and hybrid system of new and old creative techniques, we’re treated to thoughts on the fine line of ironing out the humanness of mistakes, and how more often than not, pieces of gear can give you back ideas that you’d never have expected.

Listen to find out which undiscovered mics are used across almost all of the records he works on, how to implement a Frippertronics-style tape setup, and what you can create when you push a bass clarinet to its limits.

Tracks discussed: I Never Wanted Anything, Squeaky Wheel, The Yips

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘The Hum’ here.
Warp Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS
FabFilter Pro Q
Soundtoys PrimalTap
Soundtoys DevilLoc
UAD Fairchild Plugins
UAD 1176
UAD LA2A
K-Devices Plugins
ARP 2600
Cirklon Sequencer
Roland TR-808
Korg Maxi-Korg Synth
Hohner Clavinet
Philicorda
Beezneez Microphones
Melodium Ribbon Mic
Shure SM7B
Gibson ES-125 Guitar
Burns Bass
Ebow
Mutron Auto Wah
Mutron Phasor
Eventide H3000 Chorus
Space Station Reverb
Grampian Spring Reverb
MicMix Master Room Reverb MR-II
Selmer 60s Fuzz
Altec Preamp
Tascam 4TRK
J37 Tape Machine
Nagra Tape Machine
Studer Desk

OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE
For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 
Instagram: @tapenotes 
Twitter: @tapenotes 
Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear! 
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Videographer - Andy Tindall
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Thomas Wesley Pentz, aka Wes aka Diplo, to talk about his work under various guises with Major Lazer, Sia and as Thomas Wesley.

With on-going exploration of far reaching and cross-cultural mashups at the centre of his approach, Wes reflects on how working with so many specialists from across the globe has helped him forge a diverse sound and career.

Breaking apart three songs, Wes shares his thoughts on the considerations and care that have to be taken when sampling a ‘classic’ South African song, the gatekeeping in Country music and why new sounds are emerging around the genre, and the weird and wild things that Sia often gravitates towards in a song.

Listen to find out the specific rules of Amapiano, some of the elements that are essential to any pop song, and why it’s important to fail a lot.

Tracks discussed: Mamgobhozi (Major Lazer), Wasted (Thomas Wesley), Elastic Heart (Sia)

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Piano Republik’ here.
Because Music

Listen to ‘Wasted’ here.
Mad Decent, Columbia, Sony

Listen to ‘Elastic Heart’ here.
RCA Records, Sony

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS
Fab Filter Plugins
Serum Synth
Synplant
Celemony Melodyne
Serato Sampler
Native Instruments Massive
Algoriddim Neural Mix
Output Arcade
Shure Mics
Teenage Engineering OP1
Operator Synth
Roland TB-303
Akai MPC3000
Whurlitzer
Ableton Mellotron Preset
Ableton Sampler
Ableton
Magix Sound Forge 
Cool Edit Pro
Logic Pro
Splice

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate
Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

KEEP UP TO DATE
For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 
Instagram: @tapenotes 
Twitter: @tapenotes 
Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
Patreon: Tape Notes 
To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear! 
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode John catches up with Benny Sings and producer Kenny Beats to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Young Hearts’.

Linking in from their studios in Amsterdam and LA, Benny and Kenny look back on their time spent writing and how each environment had an impact on the music. From experiencing the ‘Kenny Beats Thing’ in LA along with his wealth of collaborators, to spending a solitary week writing in Amsterdam locked in the studio with Covid.

As well as sharing the voice notes that initially inspired Kenny to become involved in the project, the duo dig deep into the lessons they’ve picked up over the years. We’re treated to some tips and tricks behind effortless lyric writing, stock plugin gold, along with a deep dive into mixing and balancing drums and bass.

Listen to find out how to create definition between yourself and a character within a song, how to efficiently keep track of all your sessions, and what the definitive definition of ‘slap’ is.

Tracks discussed: Young Hearts, Pyjamas, Distance

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Young Hearts’ here.
Stones Throw Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   

GEAR MENTIONS
Fab Filter Pro Q3
Oek Sound Soothe
Valhalla Chorus
Goodhertz Midside
Goodhertz Vulf Compressor
Eventide Instant Phaser Plugin
Eventide Instant Phaser Outboard
Oliver Samples Packs
Beyerdynamic M500 Mic
Altec Outboard Mixer
Roland TR-55 Rhythm King Drum Machine
Yamaha CP-70
Hofner Club 50
Stylophone
Whurlitzer
Ableton
Ableton Drum Buss - Stock Plugin
Splice

OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate
Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

KEEP UP TO DATE
For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 
Instagram: @tapenotes 
Twitter: @tapenotes 
Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
Patreon: Tape Notes

To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear! 
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John catches up with Orlando Higginbottom, better known as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs or T.E.E.D, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘When The Lights Go’.

Digging into the record almost 10 years in the making, Orlando talks us through his process of sorting through the piles of musical material he has created over the last decade, and how he developed each idea into a cohesive album.

As well as sharing production tips on vocal layering and utilising field recordings (notably coyote barks), Orlando reflects on his musical upbringing, discussing how the somewhat unattainable standards in classical music have impacted his work as an electronic producer.

Listen to find out why you should commit sounds when they are 75% right, how lyrics can be such a different commitment to a song, and why Orlando tried to create a U2 album without ever hearing U2.
  
Tracks discussed: Crosswalk, The Sleeper, Thugs

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘When The Lights Go’ here.
Nice Age Music

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS
Soundtoys Microshift
TAL-U-NO-LX Synth
Arturia Farfisa Plugin
ToneBoosters Reelbus
XFER OTT (Free)
Celemony Melodyne
Korg Minilogue
Korg PolySix Plugin
Boss Delay Pedal
Shure SM7B
Warm Audio Microphones
Sequential OB-6
Sequential Prophet 8
Yamaha CP-80
Fairlight CMI
Buchla Synth
Fender Rhodes
Spitfire Audio Labs Strings

OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE
For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 
Instagram: @tapenotes 
Twitter: @tapenotes 
Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
Patreon: Tape Notes Patreon
To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear! 
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.
SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists.
Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more.

In this episode, John ventures over to Hackney to catch up with Tom Odell and producer Laurie Blundell about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Best Day Of My Life’.
As well as studio stories about the relationship between the voice and piano and the mindset needed when separating them, the duo share their thoughts on keeping the soul within songs, and the importance of musical authenticity in today’s world.
Listen to find out which DJing plugin became integral to their process, how Rick Rubin pretty much co-produced the album with inspirational quotes, and why a kick drum became the cause of the pair’s biggest fall out.

Tracks discussed: Best Day Of My Life, Just Another Thing We Don’t Talk About, Flying :))

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Best Day of My Life’ here.
UROK, mtheory

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS
Soundtoys Little Alterboy
Soundtoys Crystallizer
Soundtoys Effect Rack
Serato Sampler
Antares Autotune
Valhalla Vintage Verb
Sony C800
Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor
Neve Preamp 1073
Coles 4038 Microphones
How To Do Nothing - Jenny Odell
UAD Pultec Passive EQ
Steinway Pianos

OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE
For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 
Instagram: @tapenotes 
Twitter: @tapenotes 
Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear! 
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer
Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Nathan Hetherington - PR
Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.
SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists.
Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more.

In this special live episode, John heads to Mother Advertising to chat with returning guest SG Lewis about how he wrote, recorded, and produced his new album ‘AudioLust & HigherLove’.  

Starting writing after taking ten days off music making and getting bored, Sam reflects on the times spent with his collaborators in the studio and on exotic retreats, sharing the sparks of songwriting inspiration that came from their stories and lives.

In this all-round production masterclass, we’re treated to a deep dive into Sam’s process of updating sounds and processing techniques from past eras for a modern audience, as well as mixing tips including the best ways to make a kick and bass punch over iPhone speakers.

Listen to find out why the phonetics of lyrics are so important, how to create a convincing fake vocoder, and what some of the most effective ways are to gain confidence as a singer when you’re not a singer.
 
Tracks discussed: Lifetime, Call On Me, Something About Your Love
 
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 
 
Listen to ‘AudioLust & HigherLove’ here.
Jasmine Records, PMR, Universal
 
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
 
GEAR MENTIONS
Decimort Bit Crusher
GEM Dopamine Plugin
Native Instruments Transient Designer
Native Instruments Komplete
Oek Sound Soothe
Oliver Loops
Serato Sampler
Sonnox Oxford Inflator
Soundtoys Little Alterboy
UAD API 20500 Compressor
UAD Tape Emulation
Waves CLA Guitar Plugin
Waves H Delay
Waves Doubler
Waves API 2500 Compressor
Valhalla Reverbs
Xfer OTT Compressor
Korg MS20
LinnDrum
Oberheim OB6
Roland Juno
Roland TR-909 Drum Machine
Sequential Prophet 5
ZenDelay Pedal
U87 Microphone
Logic
Logic ES1
Splice
 
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear
 
HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate
 
KEEP UP TO DATE
For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 
Instagram: @tapenotes 
Twitter: @tapenotes 
Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
 
To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear! 
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer
Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
George Durston - Production Assistant
Nathan Hetherington - PR
Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices