I made this short film in lockdown while bored!! Was quite tricky setting up the camera and sound and then doing the lines etc but fun and it kept me entertained for an afternoon.
Showing posts with label andrew cox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label andrew cox. Show all posts
I recently stayed in a disused church in the south west of England - Church Camping or Champing as it's affectionally known. You can find out more at champing.co.uk but in short it's a way of raising money to fund the maintenance of these buildings.
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It was a fairly cordial event really, a camp bed was provided along with a kettle and some hot drinks and candles. The bed was by a large leaded window and hd a row of candles on the sill. I decided before I got there that I might do some recording while I was there, and what better to record than Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven?
I arrived in the mid afternoon and parked up adjacent to the church. I settled in and took the dog for a walk, and by 7.30pm it was getting dark. By 8pm it was pretty much pitch black in the church. I set up my mic and recorder and recited the poem, and shortly after, the heavens opened - that was probably the best bit, the sound of wind, rain and distant thunder while lurking quietly in an ancient church with just my dog Captain for company!
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| I literally slept on someone's grave... |
Below is a the audio recording and below that is a video I also made while there.
It's here, my latest audiobook, The Encore, by Lauren Holmes. I'm so pumped when a book goes on sale, it feels like I've really achieved something! It's quite an interesting concept for a novel - a distant planet, analogous to Earth, is in dire trouble, the ecology of the planet is collapsing due to an invasive new plant species. They've tried everything they can to stop the total destruction of their world, and are forced to look elsewhere to find the skills and talent needed to find solutions. They need people who can think outside the box and be creative and inventive.
Enter Earth's Connor Kane, not an entirely willing participant in this strange planet's struggle, but he's given no choice but to roll up his sleeves and do what he does best - unlock people's potential!
Have a listen to the first 5 minutes below and checkout the book on Audible.
The new arrival here at Bayberry audiobooks is Captain,a rescue dog all the way from Romania in eastern Europe.
He's a splendid little fellow. We've had him for two months now, and he was a timid and nervous chap at first, hiding upstairs for the first week in our house. It's taken time and persistence but he's now a much more confident, settled dog. he comes downstairs to be with us in the evenings, liking nothing more than to be stroked and fussed.
It seems that there are a lot of stray dogs in parts of Romania. Captain was one of those strays. He must have survived on his wits on the streets of Bucharest, and one gets the impression that he had some pretty bad experiences with people. I imagine stray dogs are considered a pest and treated as such, so it's likely he was subject to some unpleasant experiences.
He's a dinky chap and looks like a cross between a German Sheppard, a Collie and a Wolf. At first I used to joke about it, but as I learned more about the stray and semi-wild dogs in Romania I also found that there's a large population of wolves, and some interbreeding does happen, creating wolfdogs, a recognised subset of dogs. As I read more, I stumbled upon a blog by another owner of a Romanian rescue, who'd has her dog DNA tested and found that it had a 'high' percentage of wolf DNA - high is a relative term, and it seems that it simply indicates the existence of wolf DNA but not necessarily recent - it could be 100's of years since a wolf was involved in the lineage.
That said, my little fella does look very wolf-like, something people comment upon almost daily, and he does have some wolf-like habits too, such as his habitual scent marking with his feet, and the deepgrowl he does if he detects another scent has been deposited there. Personality wise though he's very placid and laid back, but notably he is very pack-oriented, he seems to be very much an alert protector and constantly scanning the environment. Almost as a joke I played the sound of a wolf howling on the hi-fi, and he immediately sat bolt upright, clearly recognising the sound.... so we'll see what the DNA test reveals in a week or two!!
I've just finished recording The Encore, a novel by Lauren Holmes. It's an interesting idea - how would you go about solving a global problem where the eco-system is in meltdown?! In The Encore, set a short time in the future, Connor Kane is a man with a certain talent for finding solutions to difficult problems, and has proven his worth helping to save Earth's population and ecosystems from pollution and environmental damage when all appeared to be lost. His talents and achievements had not gone unnoticed by other intelligent lifeforms elsewhere in the universe - other lifeforms also facing an environmental crisis and needing Connors skills!
The Encore is a thought provoking story looking at some philosophical questions, such as what would it take for societal differences to be put aside, what would have to be at stake for all to forget their own prejudices and baggage and work together toward a common goal? What is the most rewarding thing a person can do? Is altruism the ultimate achievement?
Please enjoy a short sample below and head over to Audible from 15th August 2021 if you feel inclined to acquire the book!
Raghnall's Revenge
The audiobook adaptation of the novel by Shona Redmond is finally complete!
The story continues as the group of friends persevere with their plan to recruit new allies in order to regain what was stolen from them. With the traitor seemingly unmasked houses Olden and Raghnall make it their mission to seek vengeance on all of those who cost so many loved ones their lives. The plot thickens when Finn discovers his uncle is in league with the same men that took his home. New enemies emerge causing the friends to separate from one another, in order to ensure their survival. As the mysteries unravel, the group begin to find out that everything may not always be as it appears. Secrets from the past come back to bite them, sacrifices must be made and lives lost proving even heroes can bleed in order to get to the truth. Can the group beat the odds once again or are they truly cursed and destined only for death?
Find it on Amazon and Audible here.
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Here's another excerpt from the book transcribed from the diary of a POW in WW2. British Army Royal Engineers Sapper Bill Warren was prisoner for four years, in Germany, working on oil refineries near Berlin producing fuel and lubricants for Germany's war machine.
About ½ an hour later we met him again, & he invited us up to his home, telling us that his wife spoke a little English, and would be most pleased to cook for us any food we were unable to cook at the farm. We spent a very pleasant hour there – the first time we had enjoyed the comforts of a free man for well over 4 years – sitting on a sofa, or at a table which had been properly laid, all of which was luxury to us. Before we left Frau Kromer, for that was their name, invited us again, with any friends we wished to bring for 3 ‘o’ clock, when she would have some suet dumplings and meat & gravy cooked for us. To anyone who understands the food situation in Germany, this was tremendously generous of her as only the most fortunately placed (or racketeering!) families have anywhere near enough food for their own requirements. On arriving back in the farm it seemed as though our dreams of 3 ‘o’ clock were completely shattered. The Hauptramm had been up and announced that some English had been seen in the village, & if any more went out they would be shot on sight. However, the thought of the blog at Frau Kromer’s was too much for us & away we went at 2:45, the 3 of us & Ray.
What do you do before settling down to read or work on a book?
I tend to walk my dogs....and cat! Our feline, Rosie, follows us on our twice daily outings, much to everyone's amusement. Here she is below following us along the canal and into the fields....
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I asked Jim Ellis to tell me a bit about some of his novels. Please read on and click the title to find each one on Amazon.
The Music Room
A unique tale of war and desire about the life of Tim Ronsard, a young Scot: he runs from Clydeside shipbuilding and engineering and volunteers for the French Foreign Legion. Tim Ronsard means to travel as far as the Legion can take him soldiering in Algeria and elsewhere in Africa. But he discovers he can’t break the bonds that tie him to Cliesh, the older woman who taught him about music and love.
One Summer
In this compelling story of class and religious conflict, Nathan Forrest, a Catholic, a welder and illegitimate son, is reared by his grandmother, a pawnbroker. A gifted jazz trumpeter, Nathan pursues Dorothy Jones, a Protestant girl from a middle-class family. Against a background of decaying Westburn’s doomed (Scottish) shipyards and bitter Protestant-Catholic antagonisms, the young lovers seek to escape the constraints of prejudice and hate.
The Last Hundred
Set in the nineteen twenties in Mexico and the American Southwest. The story of Jock MacNeil’s transformative journey from Apprentice Blacksmith, Ships Boy on a merchant schooner, Jane Brown. Volunteering for the Confederate as Loblolly Boy, aboard CSS Alabama. Stranded in Galveston, he saves the life of a Cherokee soldier and, with him, journeys to Oklahoma to enlist in the Cherokee Mounted Rifles, Confederate Army. Jock MacNeil is a made Chiricahua Apache warrior and husband in a gripping story of adventure, heartbreak and redemption.
Westburn Blues
Westburn Blues is the story of the Rinaldis from Liguria and their migration to Scotland in the 1890s. It follows The Music Room and One Summer, the final part of the Westburn Trilogy. The novel is centred on Dante Rinaldi, born to Italian immigrants to the West of Scotland. In 1939, staying with his grandfather, Dante is left in Italy when war breaks out. He grows roots in his family’s rural homeland and, as a young adult, identifies with a band of mountain partisans fighting the fascists. He finds love with Chiarina in the partisan band. Their passion is delayed when Dante is repatriated at the end of the war. The Rinaldis’ struggles in post-war Scotland influence the life of Chris McCoull, a neglected adolescent who finds his calling and romance while working for a Greek-owned shipping line. Carefully researched, this authentic rendering of the Scots-Italian experience showcases Ellis’ fine eye for historical detail and deft drawing of characters – from sympathetic to genuinely evil.
Only The Leaves Whispering, a prequel to The Last Hundred
At the beginning of his sea-going life as a ship’s boy on the merchant schooner, Jane Brown, he is befriended by retired Royal Navy Surgeon James Gunn. Volunteering for the Confederate Navy, Jock bonds with Assistant Surgeon David Llewellyn, CSS Alabama building in Birkenhead. Living among the seamen, Jock learns to deal with responsibility - and how to defend himself.
But can Jock survive the cruise of Alabama and fighting for the South, soldiering in the Cherokee Mounted Rifles?
JIM ELLIS
Jim Ellis writes compelling historical novels about lost love, conflicts and characters at odds with their lives in Scotland, who search for enlightenment in dangerous and forbidding places.
A sixth novel, The Near East, is underway. The action takes place in the borderlands of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. A band of soldiers of fortune, led by a Scot, are hired to raise a force of raiders to protect the Yezidis from ISIS.
Jim is from the West of Scotland. He has been a sea-going engineer and a tool setter in a canning factory. For many years he worked in computer manufacturing and spent a decade as a university lecturer. Ellis has a life long passion for history, and it surfaces in his novels.
“I like to write. When I’m not writing I’m reading. I listen to Jazz and enjoy travelling the world with my wife.”
Greets once again. I've decided to make an audiobook of We 67 English, and share it out among friends and family. This whole project started in September 2020 as an idea for a Christmas gift for my partners family. My partners grandfather, Bill Warren, wrote the diary while POW in Leipzig in Germany. His diary only came to light a couple of years ago and most of the family hadn't been able to read it but were greatly interested in this memory of their treasured patriarch, Bill. I decided to set my self a challenge, and transcribe the diary (150+ pages of tiny, tiny writing) and turn it into a book which I could present to Bill's children and grandchildren.
His diary also contained a number of artefacts that Bill had collected, mostly propaganda leaflets dropped by airplane by both sides, each asserting that should you, the enemy, surrender, you'd be treated really rather well and looked after. I've scanned those and included them in the book. There are a few below!
If you want to read the whole thing, please contact me via the little widget on the right and I'll see what I can do.
Image 01Please find below the first few pages of Bill's diary, starting in June 1941.
June 6th
At last the long awaited day has arrived! The day for which we had hopefully sought for three summers now. It seems that Anglo-American troops have landed along the coast of France between Cherbourg and La Havre. The sky black with ‘planes, the sea a mass of boats. Time either 11am or 12am, on the other hand it may have been pm! Germans claim 75% losses in the initial landing. June 7th Apparently the first troops landed a few minutes after midnight, A froggy told me that 12,000 planes, 6,000 boats and 3 million men took part in the operation which was completely successful. Other sources mention 11,000 planes and 4,000 boats, - probably the sailors and airmen themselves don’t know which is right. It seems dummy parachutists were first dropped, followed later (but at different places) by the genuine live article. Many parts of the distance already penetrated, anything up to 50km. All the Frenchmen here, although are usually cheerful, are now most unusually cheerful & can always be seen “thumbs upping” & wearing that inimitable smile. 8pm: Radio LaBrise reports the fall of Rouen and a speech by DeGaulle in which he tells the French people to keep their heads down until the invasion wave has passed, & then join in the bloody massacre of the Hun & also that he will be in Paris at the head of a new French government by June 22nd.
June 8th
The fall of Rouen seems to be generally confirmed; a froggy informs me that the fighting is on a 250km front, and there have been fresh landings at Dunkirk, Dieppe, Calais etc etc. Also, 10,000 boats have been used . Churchill is supposed to have said that the landings were more successful than ever he had anticipated and the large reserves of boats and planes were not required. Rumors of large “breakthroughs” in the German line in Russia and south of Rome. Radio reports fighting between German troops in France, recent amendment states that it is the Polish volunteers you have turned on the Germans.
June 9th
The German radio and newspapers have been significantly silent regarding the second front for the past 2 days, and rather reticent today, but admitted the fall of Baen. A square head informs us that the Gerries are making swift strategic withdrawals in Italy and the fighting is now 60km north of Rome. Also that 4,000 large and 4,000 small ships are taking part in the landings of troops. Begging your pardon, but a recent report from Kommando (square head source) claims the British forces to be 120km north of Rome after effecting a breakthrough in the German lines. Also that the Allied forces in France are 140km from the coast at one point.
Here's a little sample of The Encore audiobook:
In-between recording chapters of Raghnalls Revenge where I describe bloodthirsty Vikings slaying evil witches and Kings, I like to stroll to the lake and film the wildlife. And this week we have Signets, and they are FLUFFY.
So FLUFFY.
In my lunch break I left the recording room and grabbed my camera as I'd spotted the tiniest little black fluffy specks swimming about the canal by my house - Moorhen chicks! You can see them in the video when the dad is passing materials to the Hen among the reed, they're tiny!
For videographers, I used my trusty Csanon C100, plus Atomos Ninja external recorder, plus my positively ancient yet still working Sigma APO f4.0 300mm prime lens. If ever there were a good advert for build quality this is it - bombproof. I've had it since 1999!!!! And it is RAZOR sharp.
So, I've been busy writing a book - it's really just a transcription of the diary kept by a British Army soldier, who is also my partners grandfather. William Warren was a Sapper (explosives expert) in the British army, and was captured in France in 1941, and held as a POW for nearly 4 years until his eventual release towards the end of the conflict in June '44. It was a real marathon, 4 months of scribbling and deciphering in my spare time after work, his handwriting is very swirly and neat looking yet hard to decipher. One of the hardest things was the place names, as they were spelled phonetically mostly, and so I had to spend a lot of time trying variations on the spelling until I found the real place on a map. A selection of artefacts were kept inside, such as wartime propaganda leaflets from both sides, each promising a wonderful reception if you were to surrender your arms peacefully.
A small extract from the diary:
19 April. Which was Ray’s birthday, proved to be a most eventful day. The mucker and I were lying in the hay on our bed place just under the window musing on the lousiness of life – in fact everything was as usual. A few Thunderbolts were hovering around, but then they had been doing that most of the day. Suddenly we heard the roar of a plane dive which brought us both to our feet at the window. A plane was diving straight for us – Ray yelled to Harry Huntley who was lying on his overcoat opposite us & who immediately dashed toward us. Suddenly the plane opened up with machine guns and canons – the roof was riddled with bullets – instinctively we crashed to the floor with pieces of roofing tile spattering on our heads and backs. The machine-gunning ceased and was immediately followed by two dull thumps like the banging of a door – they were the light bombs.
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| The Bayberry mascot tired after a long day of Beagling |
Recording audiobooks is fun and all, but you do need to get out and recharge your creative batteries every so often - how do you do it? I like head out with my camera and stalk the wildlife around the lakes near my home. This time of year is amazing, there's so much gorgeous stuff bursting into life!
This morning I went for a walk and saw the old favorite, small fluffy things floating on the water - ducklings and signets!!
For the nerds among us, I use the following kit:
Canon C100 Camera, Sigma APO 300mm f4.0 prime lens and a Atomos Ninja 2 external recorder. I edit using Davinci Resolve 16. If you want to know more, comment below or message me.
Shauna Richmond's Raghnall books
I asked Shauna Richmond to tell me a little about her books and the universe in which they are set, and what themes they explore.
Raghnall series is a dark fantasy series with hints of Norse, Celtic and Gaelic mythology. Trigger warnings for the book include strong language, sexual references, sexual assault and violence throughout. The books are told through multiple points of view, much like game of thrones, nobody is ever truly safe. The wrath of Raghnall is book one to this series, here we are introduced to Finn Olden and the rest of the Olden clan. Finn is the male protagonist, although he is part of the gentry, he is often ostracized and left to his own devices due to his infamous temper and foul mouth. The Oldens are a prestigious household, and one of the longest to rule in all the lands. They are known for their fighting spirits and kind hearts , though they seem to share the same flaw of a short life expectancy. Finn’s Uncles were died young and although it is understood that Gabriel died in an ambush, Tristan’s cause of death is not only vague, he is scarcely talked about. Freya Raghnall is the only daughter to Bjorn and Catherine Raghnall. Her mother was a renowned shield maiden , her father heir to a stolen throne. Freya escaped an attempt on her life when she was a well-being the only person from the massacre to make it out alive. She survived another attack at the hands of her betrothed resulting in his death and her rise to the throne of Rosefort. When Freya meets Finn at a banquet held in his homelands the pair soon find themselves attracting all sorts of trouble. As the series moves on, the characters start to unravel the mystery of Tristan and Gabriel’s death and also Freya’s family’s massacre. The Raghnall series is much darker than that of prequel (The Olden Chronicles) as the reader is seeing the aftermath of the wars and the decisions the fallen heroes made.
You find more books by Shauna here on Amazon.
The Encore
I'm working on another new book, this one is by Canadian author Lauren Holmes. You can read all about Lauren here, she's a fascinating lady!
Here's a summary of the novel from Lauren's own site:
The Encore is a gripping page-turner about extraterrestrials facing extinction from a terraforming enemy. Desperate, they kidnap the worldbuilders who rescued future Earth for an encore performance. Threats to survival multiply with eco-crises and intrigue from powermongers. However, The Encore is also more. IndieReader describes this award-winning thriller as “a must-read for those who care about our continued existence.” It plumbs deep for those who seek substance beyond suspense. The threats to future Earth are real. Thankfully, so are the solutions. New potential for individuals, humanity, and worlds are revealed. That is why The Encore captured the Inspirational Fiction award from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. This is “hard science fiction” set within an “alternate history” that will inspire all aspiring worldbuilders. Lauren Holmes writes from decades of experience maximizing the careers of global executives. Her education in evolutionary anthropology unexpectedly informed breakthrough techniques for promoting sustainable self-actualization and continuous self-transcendence for all – her current mission. The Encore is an otherworldly tale of catastrophe, courage, calling, creativity, and camaraderie. It is an eco-thriller forewarning of an all-to-possible threat to planet Earth. Yet it is as inspiring and heartwarming as it is alarming and unnerving. Live the mission with this legion of lovable heroes. Dare to remain unchanged by this transformational thriller.
I'm delighted to be narrating this book for Lauren. Here's a sample of the book to get you thinking:
"Please call me Rikard, Connor. You are a most welcome addition to our life-and-death fight. Thank you for agreeing to help us. I look forward to hearing you introduce your process tomorrow at the Council meeting. My wife Ingrid and I would be delighted if you’d join us for dinner in the next few days as your schedule permits.”
“Thank you, Rikard. I’d be delighted,” responded Connor perfunctorily.
“Pardon my intrusion, Axl,” he said finally acknowledging the Minister’s presence with a nod in his direction. “I’ll leave you gentlemen to your important work.” With that, Rikard turned and abruptly exited the office with the same speed at which he had burst into it.
Supreme Commander Riis has the charm, charisma and sociability of successful politicians. However, he has very little of the substance that Axl possesses. It was obvious to Connor that someone had bought this man’s way into his current position. Riis was a front. A puppet. And by the strain he sensed between the two men, Connor suspected that Axl was not the puppet master but the enemy.
Riis also lacked Axl’s benevolence. In fact, there was a foreboding in his manner which made Connor fearful. He realized that he would be even more uneasy if Axl was no longer there to protect him. In an instant, he realized his dependence on the Minister. He accepted that Axl was friend not foe.
Alone again, Connor restarted the discussion, “So have you brought me here to die, Axl? I fear our friendship is going to be short-lived,” he quipped. Axl laughed. “I must have more faith in you than you do, Connor.” Connor continued to jest to break Axl’s tension. He motioned to the large picture on the wall of Vaudeville comedy duo and silent film comedians, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Their famous catch phrase was printed boldly on the top, “Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!” “I relate, Axl. I suspect I’m not the first,” he joked. Axl laughed again succumbing to the distraction. “Would you believe this is the oldest known relic from Earth? I ‘ve often wondered if it suggests the time when Annutia was terraformed. Laurel and Hardy were famous from the late 1920s to the 1940s. Annutians tend not to concentrate on history as much as they do on Earth because our religion has us focusing on the ‘now.’ We’re taught mindfulness and contemplative techniques and practices in school from the first grade to help us to do that.< /br>“Obviously, we need creative solutions now, Connor. We need you to repeat with acceleration your conversion of humanity to a talent- and creativity-worshipping power structure. We need our world’s talents working at the maximum to save our planet and ourselves. There is no one better than you to do that.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Unfortunately, we’re a population devoid of creativity. We have so many rules, and so many castes and so much prejudice and judgement that we’ve all but eliminated the courage to be creative. We’ve become a left-brain society where logic reigns supreme. Our creative right brains have atrophied.
What makes you think there is enough time, Axl?”“I’ve studied your career, Connor. You’ve worked on the liberation of individuals to their full creative expression for 30 years. When you assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief for Global Human Resources Maximization, you had your strategic plan completed and being actioned in your first month. You established most of the structures for global conversion in your first two months. What is it you call yourself? Oh yes. An execution creative.
“This is your encore, Connor. Faster. Smarter. With higher stakes. And with more fulfillment than the first time around. There is no project more meaningful for you to undertake.
“If you went back to your retirement on Earth without at least trying, you’d regret it for the rest of your life. Facing death is not the anathema for you, Commander Kane. Facing a life without meaning, purpose, and mission is far worse for someone of your talents and passions.
“You’ll see, Connor. We’ve already started. We’ve released your speeches and writings into our corporations and upper educational streams to get people thinking about the conversion.
“I’m going to have Annalise arrange for you to access to the Planetary Government Library today. You’ll get an idea of how much we know already so you can formulate what you want to say to the Council tomorrow about your plan.”
Connor refrained from comment while he began to formulate possible strategies. He was indeed an execution creative by passion. He believed he could implement anything even if it had never been done before. He found new implementation challenges irresistible.
“I’ve studied your methods for achieving the restructuring to release the greatest creative solutions to global crises. However, what I haven’t been able to figure out yet is what levers you pushed to cause the break in the money-and-political power grid in the first place. A discussion for another day.”
Connor suspected Axl was referencing the forces behind Rikard Riis. The Minister jumped up without warning for a third time and stepped quickly to his desk to flick on the intercom. “Birgitte, has Annalise returned yet for Commander Kane?”
“Yes, sir. She’s been here for some time.”
Axl moved to the door and opened it.
“So sorry to have kept you, Annalise. Please come in for a moment. Commander Kane needs library access to Earth information to find common ground for his speech to the Council tomorrow. He’s also going to need information about the Council Ministers, so he can shape his speech to his audience.
“I think it’s also advisable that you make him aware of the conflicts among them so that he’s not blindsided. In fact, why don’t you bring him at the beginning of the Council meeting so that he can observe the conflicts and players in action.
“Thank you, Annalise. And thank you Commander Kane for undertaking this critical mission for us,” Axl said while shaking Connor’s hand. “I look forward to hearing you speak. Please use Annalise to let me know how I may help.”
And without even a moment to consider or to ask a question, Connor suddenly found himself outside of the Minister’s inner office next to its closed door. Connor was impressed by how smooth Axl was. He felt out-finessed.
“This way, Commander,” directed Annalise. The tall and muscled Brik again trailed them. Obviously, Axl considered him a VIP needing a bodyguard.
“Were you able to arrange the call with my wife?”
“I was indeed. We have thirty minutes to arrive back at the appointed time.”
As they stepped out of the elevator on his floor of the residential tower, Connor could see at the other end of the hall Jon sitting at the table guarding his suite. Perhaps Axl was right. Maybe he’d underestimated his talents somewhat despite the celebratory gala.
As they arrived at the suite, Annalise walked to the office where an external telephone resided. Connor took the covers off his lunch while he pondered how he was going to tell Lenore that there was a good chance that he would be dead within the year.
Monitoring & Mixing my audiobooks
I've been using KRK Rokit 6 monitors for my audiobooks for nearly 4 years now, and I really like what I hear. My As I work in mono, I only need one monitor, no need for a stereo pair. I work using a digital audio workstation, AKA a PC with a half-decent audio-interface, namely a Audient ID4, which offers XLR & 6.35mm jack inputs and TRS balanced outputs for monitoring. It took a while for me to understand exactly what TRS was - initially I was hunting around fruitlessly for a USB interface that offered XLR outputs as I was fixed on having balanced output (for the initiated, balanced signals in audio terms are designed to minimise unwanted noise intruding into the signal, such as from nearby electronics). All the interfaces I looked at did not offer this, at least not the budget conscious variety I can afford. After consulting my slightly more knowledgeable elder brother I was realized that although TRS utilizes the 1/4 inch jack plug interface, it carries a balanced signal, care of the TRS wiring (TRS = Tip/Ring/Sleeve) follow this link for more information. With this new information I realised that I had a good choice of USB interfaces that will provide balanced output suitable for a studio monitor. After some investigation I plumped for the KRK Rokit 6, monitor. Opinions are a little divided but I find it more than enough for my audiobook needs.
I will say that it is a little bottom-end heavy, and combined with my Rode Procaster XLR dynamic studio mic, which has low-mid warmth, I found initially my recordings seemed pretty muddy and woolly sounding. For anyone possessing either of those two components, I have a few words of advice born of my own experience:
Rode Procaster: Requires plenty of gain to get the best frequency response, but has incredible signal-to-noise ratio, so it's very clean souding even if you EQ it heavily. I found that my Audient iD4 didn't drive it hard enough, and have since used a Podtrak P4 by Zoom, which has an insane 70db of gain. The difference in audio characteristics with the right gain is remarkable.
As for the Rokit 6 - this too needs a little attention - on the rear there are some EQ adjustments in precise 1, 2 and 3db increments. I rolled off the low frequencies by 3db to gain a more accurate sound that held up when I replayed the files elsewhere.
Please read this article from Sound on Sound.
So, I've got a Spotify channel.
This is exciting. Well, I've had it for a year but just not really told anyone! For anyone that's interested, here's a brief summary of how I got started recording audiobooks..
I used to be in a band.
Which ended a few years ago, and I was looking for something creative that I could do, preferably something I could do that would make the long winter evenings a bit more creative and fun. But most things I thought of required other people, and as much as I like other people, they do tend to let you down when it comes to organising stuff. Initially I wanted to do a podcast, I have tons of good ideas but really, I need someone else to co-present, and I just couldn't get anyone interested enough to commit to do it. So what could I do, that was creative, and self-contained? Well, I've been making short films and documentaries for years, and recording audiobooks seemed like a natural extension of that, and I had most of the gear already.....
So, what could I record?
Writing my own short stories is fun, but not something I could do on an ongoing basis, it's too time consuming to write and record. So, I set about finding novels that are out of copyright, classic novels, and started recording them. I'm still doing that to this day, a nd I've got Moby Dick, War Of The Worlds, A Cloud Over Innsmouth and others available on Spotify and Soundcloud. After a couple of years, a friend showed me the ACX website, which is where narrators and authors collaborate to make audiobooks for Audible. I was hooked immediately. I'm recording my 7th book now, and it's immensely satisfying knowing my work is publish and being enjoyed by hundreds of listeners.
The ACX process is somewhat unclear initially, but I've now got a firm understanding of their requirements, and my submissions seem to sail through the QA checks without issue.
A Spring Afternoon Stroll
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| Lock Gates on the W&B canal |
Just a short post to share a short film a I made this afternoon while out walking with my dog, the spring sunshine was so lovely and the lakes looked so great I had to get the Osmo+ out and film it! The DJI Osmos+ is a neat little gimbal camera I've been using for a while, it's not new exactly but it works brilliantly, check out the silky smooth shots!
