
Introduction
Welcome to the Fascinating World of Film Music!
My name is Chris Malone and, although an IT professional by qualification, I have a keen interest in audio engineering and orchestral music composed for films. This site commenced life in 1997 as a means of promoting film scores and the engineers that recorded them. During a period of approximately three years, scores including Star Wars, Alien, North by Northwest and After the Fox were reviewed here and promoted on Flinders University student radio. The site lay dormant for the first few years of the new millennium however has been reactivated to focus specifically on the technical aspects of recording film music. The rather mundane look and feel is somewhat intentional and should provide welcome respite from the flashy extravaganzas that we are generally subjected to!
I work as a Senior Applications Architect and Customer Relationship Manager for Loftus IT. In my career I have designed software for state and local governments as well as the commercial sector, including ERP systems. I have also performed business analysis activities for government and private entities and I am available to assist with your next IT project. My profile will provide you with a snapshot of my professional background and project experience.
More recently I have assisted some of the film music record labels in preparing materials for CD release. A brief of my film music engineering experience can be viewed here.
Articles, Analyses and Commentary
-
Recording the Star Wars Saga
A comprehensive 42 page chronicle of the scoring and recording of both the Original and Prequel Star Wars trilogies. Unique and never-before published comments from the engineers who recorded the scores are included to provide technical details on miking setups and recording media. -
Recording Engineer Eric Tomlinson (
PDF 446 KB)
A detailed profile of one of the most prolific and successful film music recording engineers of the 20th century. In a career that spans over 40 years, Eric Tomlinson has captured some of the most famous film music in history. His recordings for scores including Goldfinger, Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark have been forever etched into the collective consciousness of generations of film music fans. Tomlinson was instrumental in establishing the Cine-Tele Sound (CTS) studios, Anvil Film and Recording Group and Abbey Road Studio 1 as premiere film music recording venues in England. -
Anvil of Denham - A Brief Musical History
A brief history of the Anvil Film and Recording Group's "Denham" years through to 1980. -
The Cine-Tele Sound (CTS) Studios - A Brief Musical History
A brief history of the Cine-Tele Sound (CTS) Studios from inception at Bayswater to the Watford Colosseum. -
Sonograms - Comparing Star Wars Music Releases
High resolution versions of sonograms (spectrograms) presented in documents elsewhere on this site. -
Superman Blue Box Listening Test
A review of Film Score Monthly's Superman Blue Box set released in February 2008. Raises questions about what the term "restoration" really means. -
Where Was That Recorded?
Details of recording venues and engineers for older films. This page attempts to collate all known information that would have otherwise been lost through the sands of time. -
Music Compilations
Suggestions for music compilations of material from other albums. -
Capsule Comments and Controversy - Brief Reviews of Something Old or Something New
Brief reviews and commentary on the quality of an old or new recording ranging from film to popular music. Includes comments on: Abbey Road by The Beatles; the Concord Records Indiana Jones Trilogy soundtracks; the James Bond series; Tadlow Music's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes; and a handful of well-produced albums from Film Score Monthly and Intrada. -
Film Music Engineering Projects
A selected list of my credits, with capsule comments.
You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view articles on this site.
Auditioning Audio System Components
To my ears, Steve Hoffman's moniker on a CD makes his mastering the definitive version to own. As my collection of his work has grown, I have recognised the extra effort that Hoffman makes to produce lively, accurate and engaging sound. One crucial factor is the careful selection of tape machine to ensure optimal signal retrieval. I am somewhat surprised to learn that many recordings need nothing other than a faithful transfer to the digital domain -- especially given that other mastering engineers seem to needlessly degrade the quality with computerised tools. Hoffman goes for the right tone via the purest possible route.
I have four pieces of music that I use to audition sound system components. For me these demo tracks are the equivalent of audio nirvana:
- "Orange Colored Sky" (2:33)
Performed by Nat King Cole - 1961
Engineered by John Kraus
Mastered by Steve Hoffman
From DCC Compact Classics GZS-1127 - "California" (3:50)
Performed by Joni Mitchell - 1971
Engineered by Henry Lewy
Mastered by Steve Hoffman
From DCC Compact Classics GZS-1132 - "Time" (6:47)
Performed by Pink Floyd - 1973
Engineered by Alan Parsons
No mastering credit
From Toshiba/EMI CP 35-3017 ("Black Triangle") - "Raiders of the Lost Ark (End Credits)" (5:21)
Performed by John Williams with the LSO - 1981
Engineered by Eric Tomlinson
Mastered by Steve Hoffman
From DCC Compact Classics DZS-090
DCC GZS-1127 showcases: transparent imaging; silky, warm and palpable vocals; and excellent dynamics. This one is well worth the financial investment. DCC GZS-1132 showcases: stunning vocal clarity and intimacy; brilliant use of stereo miking and delay; every instrument sounds real and has a tangible, lifelike timbre. "Time" was not mastered by Steve Hoffman.
Links to Other Resources
- Information Technology (IT) Tips and Tricks
An assortment of IT related tips and tricks. - Loudness War
Matt Mayfield's simple, yet elegant, YouTube example of the excessive dynamics processing found in many "remastered" albums. - Film Score Monthly Message Board
The original hangout for film score enthusiasts. - Steve Hoffman Music Forums
A wealth of resources for audiophiles and music lovers alike courtesy of mastering genius Steve Hoffman. - Useful Undocumented SQL Server XPs
Alexander Chigrik's list of undocumented SQL Server Extended Stored Procedures.