Film Music Engineering Projects
By Chris Malone
My professional experience in audio originates in 1997 where I co-hosted a radio programme for three years. In doing so I gained proficiency in working with quarter-inch open reel, 8-track cartridges and assembly on digital workstations. Each week, we produced a radio serial that was recorded to open reel, digitally edited, supplemented with music and sound effects, and re-recorded to open reel for broadcast.
At about the same time I purchased my own quarter-inch tape machines, mixing console as well as a handful of condenser and dynamic microphones. Armed with this equipment, I recorded demo CDs for several local music groups. Most of these were recorded in the analog domain (often live to two-track) prior to digital editing and assembly for compact disc.
Since 2009, I have been involved, on a freelance basis, with film music projects run by Film Score Monthly, Kritzerland, Intrada and La-La Land. Generally, I have provided specialist audio treatments including: pitch correction; the removal of wow; and azimuth correction.
I'd love to assist with your next film music project! Should you have any queries, you can contact me via the following e-mail address: cmalone78@gmail.com.
More information coming soon...
I-Spy by Earle Hagen
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For this assignment I premastered the Volume One material originally issued on Warner Bros LP album WS-1637, accounting for the first 13 tracks on the CD. This involved correcting azimuth (time alignment) errors, matching left-right audio levels and applying equalisation.
These 13 prime cuts of energetic TV excellence were laid down by Dave Weichman over three days in January 1966 at Annex Studios in Hollywood -- part of Radio Recorders, a studio famous for its work with Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong and others. FSM serves both volumes of this brilliant TV scoring on one convenient platter and adds a wealth of reading material to savour. A fine musical meal indeed.
Film Score Monthly FSM1403 - I-Spy (The LPs)
Released 24 February 2011.
More than a Miracle by Piero Piccioni
Corrected inconsistently pitched cues, recorded in Italy, by working with material from mastering maven Doug Schwartz. Tricks included: film synchronisation; spectral analysis; and even the blowing of pitch pipes.
Film Score Monthly FSM1407 - More Than a Miracle
Released 8 April 2011.
Summer and Smoke by Elmer Bernstein
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For Kritzerland's superb 100th CD release, I corrected wow and pitch issues inherent in some of the magnetic film elements. The score was recorded by Phil Wisdom on the Paramount Scoring Stage and mastered by James Nelson for compact disc.
Executive album producers Bruce Kimmel and Neil S. Bulk made several commendable decisions in their assembly of their disc. Firstly, they wisely relegated most of the source cues to a supplemental section following the main programme. Secondly, they included the original LP album edits at conclusion of the disc. Thirdly, significant audio processing was renounced thereby enabling the subtle resonances of Bernstein's composition to more readily breathe.
This release was limited to 1,500 copies.
Kritzerland KR 20020-2 - Summer and Smoke
Released 6 October 2011.