Nearfield Reflections 007
This week we have @stephen_kerrison from @permanent_collection_studio for our 7th Nearfield Reflections instalment.
Here, Stephen talks about his love for mastering collaboratively, working together in one space with the artist when mastering. The joy of working below a record shop and seeing your masters appear on the shelves and how mastering is such an important part of making a great sounding record!
Song: A Terrible Day To Have Eyes by @alphamaleteaparty
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A mentor to me from the very beginning of my career to this day; Sean Woodlock of @hackneyroadstudios has been a constant source of inspiration and knowledge to myself for well over the past decade.
In this weekās Nearfield Reflection Sean talks about how mixing on his SSL console forces him to slow right down when making decisions and how mastering engineers can help to elevate mixes using their knowledge and experience š¤
Song: Foot Wrong by @moin_band
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It was my pleasure to chat to the ever fantastic @iona__catherine this week for Nearfield Reflection #6. A fellow @gms_gold family member and fantastic engineer based at @hackneyroadstudios
Here Iona lets us in on her process; talking about the importance of community, using side chain outside of itās usual dance music context and how mastering can bring that extra 5% to the table š
Song: Baby Teeth by @aliccejane
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Iāve been fortunate enough to work closely with @domkirtley on several projects over the years. Itās always a joy to master his productions and here he delves into some of his studio processes. Take a look to see:
How re-amping elements from a mix can have varying effects.
How being close to the sea is one of his favourite things (followed closely by his @questedmonitoring speakers) and;
How that last final sign off by a mastering engineer can give you the confidence that your track is ready to go š„³
Song : Time Goes Up by @mandrakehandshake
Multi-talented artist, producer and engineer @phoebe.coco takes the spotlight this week for Nearfield Reflections number 4!
Here Phoebe talks about blending field recordings into her music to create unique textures, how important it is to be part of a studio community and how mastering can be the final āchefs kissā on a project, signally that itās ready to go!
Song: (Referenced in slide 3, unfortunately I couldnāt find it on Instagram so itās a different track playing!): Rain On English Hedgrerows by @nature_theartist from @the_listening_planet
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Years ago, when I used to play guitar in a two piece band (bonus points if you know the nameā¦) @calumjduncan and I crossed paths at an event at Goldsmiths Student Union. Ever since, Iāve been an endless admirer of Calumās work. His attention to detail in his productions and mixes as well as his ability to effortlessly create and craft beautiful textures are truly one of a kind.
A fellow Unit 9 resident, Calum opens up about his love of cassette based audio degradation, how his pedal board is an endless source of sonic inspiration and how mastering can bring an extra dimension to a mix.
Song: ARP by @ammonite_1
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Next up in the Nearfield Reflections hot seat is the amazing @joystacey_ . A fellow engineer at @gms_gold , weāve been friends for many years and have collaborated on countless projects together. Sheās a fantastic engineer, with a keen eye for detail in both mixing and recording approaches.
Here Joy gives an insight into some of her recording chains and how being creative with what you track through can really shape a song as well as how important it is for mastering to be a separate, dedicated process.
Song: Lemons by @isletband
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First up in my new interview series is @alexander_m_sokolow from the wonderful @_ctrl_p_studio studios in South East London. Weāve known each other for a while now, meeting through @gms_gold and over the years Iāve been lucky enough to master some of Soxās fantastic mixes.
Here Sox talks about his love for recording bands live, all in one room and how mastering can be a great chance to look at the song in itās entirety, as opposed to hyper fixating on the smaller elements.
Song: Worried About The Rain by @deadslowhoot
As the year draws to a close, Iād like to thank everyone for trusting me with their music this year.
Itās always an immense joy and privilege to work with so many lovely and talented people
To showcase and highlight this fantastic community I am so lucky to work alongside and support, next year Iāll be starting a new Instagram series called: Nearfield Reflections.
Iāll be asking some of the engineers and artists I work with three questions:
One about their studios,
One about their production and sonic processes
And one about their thoughts on a subject close to my heart: mastering.
The first post in this series will be landing on the 9th January from the wonderful @alexander_m_sokolow of @_ctrl_p_studio
If youād like to take part in the series, feel free to drop me an email and I can send you the questions.
For now, wishing you all a wonderful xmas break and a restful new year. Hereās to 2026 <3
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