"We've always recorded our own artists live, with 5.1 mixes, live albums, downloads and extra tracks in mind," says MJ, who heads up The Instrument. "Once we started achieving quality results we realized that if it worked for us, it would work for other record companies. One of the key reasons we teamed up with FX is because they are so adaptable and reliable, meaning we can tailor the set-up to each gig, and know the equipment will always be of the highest quality."
FX Rentals and Mute have enjoyed a close relationship ever since MJ met FX Group director Tony Andrews on his first day at the record company eight years ago. MJ liaised extensively with FX technician Adam Pope to devise the best-possible location recording package, agreeing upon a RADAR 24 24-bithard disk recorder, with high quality mic pre-amps - typically Millennia HV3Ds on every channel, with B&K 4011 cardioid mics used for ambience.
"We arrive with the best quality equipment, two highly qualified engineers, at least two assistants and a flexible attitude," says MJ. "When you record a gig you've only got one shot at it. We always have a recording engineer who's purely there to record, a technical engineer to handle the equipment and interface with the PA company and a dedicated mic placement engineer."
The first FX Rentals/Mute collaboration on a live recording was a secret gig by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at the 100 Club. A whole host of Mute artists have since been recorded at a wide range of locations including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at Tate Britain, Inspiral Carpets at Brixton Academy, Martin Gore in Milan, Erasure in Copenhagen and Goldfrapp in the courtyard at Somerset House.
Recommendations of the new service are now spreading by word of mouth, and outside bookings have included Mis-Teeq (Telstar), Alicia Keyes (BMG), The Eighties B-Line Matchbox Disaster (MCA) and Massive Attack (Wild Bunch) and most recently Mark Owen at Shepherds Bush Empire.
"It made absolute sense to create this partnership," says the FX's Tony Andrews. "Working together we can supply high quality recordings and stereo or 5.1 mixes at very competitive rates."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
