There are many facets of my job, the main feature being that I am out of the office a lot working on recording sessions either as Producer or Sound Engineer.

Take this week for example, I was both. Smaller ensemble recordings don't warrant a large recording team; from Monday to Wednesday I was at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh - the Sorrel Quartet were recording the Elgar Quartet and Quintet. They're really nice to work with and very committed to what they do and very interested in what I do.

The week started like this:

Monday morning I am picked up from home at 8:00 by Chris (my assistant engineer on this recording) in the Chandos van for the hour or so journey. (We loaded the van the previous Friday afternoon). It takes about half an hour to load in the various flight cases containing two Genex Magneto Optical Recorders (20-bit and 24-bit), microphones, monitors and amplifiers, CCTV and intercom, Speakers, the brand new (and big) 24-track 24-bit/96kHz Digital mixer, the old mixer just in case (technical problems must not occur on session), a flock - or is that a gaggle? - of mic stands and boxes of cables for every eventuality. But most importantly the Kettle, Tea and Mugs!

Once there we spend up to two hours or more setting up the control room and the auditorium (a simple mic set-up).

When the quartet arrive we greet each other over coffee and then get down to a balance check which can take some time as microphone positions are more critical when recording small ensembles. We then record something for them to hear. Once the sound is decided upon it is down to serious playing and recording. The pianist Ian Brown joins the Sorrels for the Quintet on the second day, and the sound is all changed to include the mighty sound of a Steinway D size grand piano and then more serious recording. The third days recording was delayed by 5 hours due to gale force winds causing a lot of noise inside the auditorium, so after a phone call to the local Weather centre a new start time was set for 2.00PM (just enough time for a long lunch and a pint of 'Broadside' in the local pub!) By the end of the third, long, day all is done, and then it is time to pack-up and go home, but not before a quick drink with the Quartet, who love their bitter!

Wednesday evening: a quick check of the website from home to check it is all still there and working properly.

On Thursday I am back in the office. Here there is a pile of work waiting for me to attend to, emails, telephone messages, things the warehouse need before orders are placed, questions from the art department and meetings needed by sales and marketing to get campaigns rolling. The meetings with sales and marketing are in conjunction with the Board - Brian Couzens (MD), me and Sue Revill Finance Director - and can be quite protracted as ideas a thrashed out and agreed or rejected and reconsidered. As it's a family business, much of the work is 'hands-on'. I like to take a walk around the building and see that all is going well and make myself available. Spending so much time out on the road recording all our artists produces a lot of interesting stories but more importantly first hand information about the recording to pass onto interested departments.

My main areas of responsibility are the studios and their co-ordination (all three post production/editing studios are in the main building), the internet and overseeing IT, the warehouse and its operation. (The building Chandos House has its offices at the front and they are backed by a large warehouse were all our stock and distributed labels stock is housed, so everything is on site.) Also the technical department (where all of our equipment is repaired and maintained - with location recording wear and tear being quite high).

I am in constant contact with A&R - my PA is one of the two A&R administrators who set up and organise the recordings - and this is where the artists feel that the hub of the business is. Also reporting to me is the production co-ordinator who oversees the smooth running of the Studios, Factory co-ordination and Web-Site areas when I am not here.

On Friday I am summoned(!) to the art department to approve a selection of covers for upcoming releases. The visual aspect of what we do is very important and all of the directors like to see covers and adverts as this is the face that Chandos presents to the world.

The studios bring queries about sound quality to me, although I do trust their judgement. If we are unhappy about something Brian (MD) and I both listen to it and on occasion we have had to make the decision to cancel the release as the quality is not up to the high standards we have set ourselves.

Friday night I am just looking forward to going home to visit my wife and learn my children's names, when the production co-ordinator gives me a proof of a sales booklet that needs to be read over the weekend for production on Monday. I wistfully count the number of lieu days owed to me and fondly imagine a few days at home - but it will only be worse next time I go in…

26 January 2001