Audio Pro

With a past project list running from The Libertines, through Carl Orff to Ann Peebles, Maebe crowned his year mixing FOH for Sting on his recent tour with Edin Karamazov. A Board Member of the APRS, Maebe turned 30 on December 29th 2007...

Which band/project are you currently working on?

I’m in the final mixing stages with the Zero Cipher Juggernaut album and the Deborah Bonham Band Live DVD. I’m also working with talented French writer/artist/producer Nicolas Bulostin on Aqualise, a chill-out project featuring amazing guest artists including Kenny Thomas, Tony Remi, Jean Toussaint, Rhoda Dakar and others.

I’m looking forward to recording Guy Pratt after Christmas, and all should be finished soon after that, so look out for a great record.

Where are you at the moment?

In my Sonic Cuisine.

What audio console are you utilising? And how many channels?

When I work from home stuff tends to be worked on within the box in either ProTools or Logic, but being freelance I get to use
whatever is thrown at me, whether it is a Neve or a Euphonix. And the same goes for my live work. Whatever is provided I’ll go for it and if I get to make the decisions it usually ends up being a Midas Heritage 3000 or XL4 for the bigger stuff or a Yamaha M7CL for smaller jobs.

What decision process was behind the choice of this audio console?

That choice is generally made by the studio I end up working in. When we have the luxury of choosing the studio itself, I seem to veer towards Neve studios. It really depends on the type of music. In live situations it all depends on practicality in conjunction with the amount of instruments, whether total recall is required, etc. Give me anything and I’ll find a way to make it work.

Do you utilise any outboard effects/EQ, and if so, what are they used on and why?

My usual weapons of choice are the SPL Qure for its warmth and clarity; an Empirical Labs Distressor does wonders on
drums and if the Fairchild and the Culture Vulture are around, I am a very happy bunny. I have also been using the Focusrite
Liquid Mix quite a lot. I guess that’s the ultimate hybrid plug-in.

Favourite console?

AMS-Neve VR.

Favourite PA system?

L-Acoustics V-DOSC with a Midas Heritage 3000.

Favourite venue, studio or festival?

Stratosphere in New York for their fabulous vintage Neve console/Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden for the fantastic
acoustics/Hyde Park Calling in London (then I can walk home).

Best toy you take on tour? (Can be audio, can be an ice-machine)

A model plastic Jesus with poseable arms and gliding action. Oh, and the Focusrite Liquid Channel.

What’s been your worst professional experience to date?

Being thrown across the room at a major label’s showcase venue because they hadn’t fixed a fault in their mixing desk, resulting in a huge electric shock. When I ran out and started pounding my fist into the wall as a reaction to the pain, I was suddenly surrounded by a pile of suits who were scared out of their minds that I was going to sue them.

Instead I told the band to get back on stage, wrapped my hands in a few plastic carrier bags and mixed the show
like that.

And what’s been your career highlight, so far?

Doing Front Of House for Sting and Edin Karamazov on the Songs from the Labyrinth tour this year.

What really pisses you off when you’re working?

Having to deal with computer geek problems up to a point where your mind starts drifting and all you can think about
is an analogue desk and big reels of tape spinning. Sorry, what was the question again?

What makes you happy when working?

The feel of faders, the smell of tape and valves, seeing and hearing the magic through the control room window and feeling the energy bounce of the stage.

With hindsight, what job would you have chosen for yourself?

As a kid I always wanted to be a pharmacist, then later I did my degree in psychology which turned out to be quite useful, since I’ve ended up mixing lots of different musical ingredients and dealing with great people, performers, divas and egos on a daily basis. It’s turned out to be the one and only job for me. I love it.

Finally, if you weren’t working now, you’d be?

On a New York penthouse terrace sipping Manhattans.