Recording | Mixing | Production
HELLO!
My name is Michael. I’m a recording engineer, mix engineer, producer and sometime musician from the UK.
With 20 years of experience in the industry, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse array of artists, from all walks of life and musical genres, and also for some world-acclaimed producers and engineers. For me, what is important is a commitment to making every recording an exceptional and deeply personal experience for you.
There are no pre-sets where we’re going.
When you choose to work with me, you’re not just getting an engineer; you’re gaining a partner who cares about your music as much as you do.
Every note, every lyric, every instrument matters. I pour my heart into every project to ensure that your recording isn’t just a reproduction but a living, breathing entity.
I don’t just try to engineer music; I breathe life into it.
I’m currently the lead engineer at Grand Chapel Studios.
SOME OF MY WORK
Below are a few examples of my recording & mixing work from the last few years over a range of genres. Feel free to have a listen, and perhaps drop the artists a follow as well if you like it…
- Recording
- Mixing
- Additional Programming
Estate Agent vs Arctic Fox – Mac The Hand (aka Richard Macklin)
A project 3 years in the making, this includes the recording of Chamber orchestras, Orchestral percussion, Choirs, Gospel arrangements, traditional Big Bands, Electronica, electronic beats and Rap.
A ten track album that comes in under 50 minutes, it sees Richard’s detailed, imaginative writing that gradually ends up being resampled from its own recordings, re-using and re-imagining itself throughout. Richard writes for companies including Sony, Hype, Extreme Music and MTV, but this is his first full length album.
It also has a track called ‘Fantasia on a Theme of Gareth Bale‘ so you know it’s going to be a wild ride…
- Recording
- Mixing
- Additional Programming
- Piano, Hammond Organ & Rhodes
Entity, Fight The Good Fight, Stumble – Tom Dibb
Three singles from Tom’s upcoming album. Tom is a roots / folk / blues style singer songwriter with influences from Bob Marley to Jack Johnson and Counting Crows. He has travelled the Globe playing in Europe, Central and East Asia and into Australia, and he has unique, honest, soaring acoustic style.
I’ve been lucky enough to record Tom’s last three albums, Ground Up, Tracks & Requested, along with engineering and mixing some of his live gigs, and work is well under way for the next release as you read.
- Asst Recording
- Mixing
- Additional Programming
- Piano & Hammond Organ
Maiden, Mother, Crone – Daisy Chute
Daisy is a Scottish-American multi-instrumentalist folk singer and songwriter whose music is absolutely rooted in story telling. This EP was recorded and released by a stellar, almost entirely female team, including musicians (Emma Holbrook, Michele Stodart, Midori Jaeger, Holly Carter, Elisabeth Flett, Hannah Brine), producer & mastering, (Roberto and I were the only two men to mess that up). It had releases throughout Women’s History Month 2023, and follows feminist themes on Women’s Safety, Ageism, Loss, Motherhood and connections with our past and our future.
- Recording
- Mixing
A collection of Big Band Tracks – Richard Meehan
Something a bit different. Richard Meehan is a Contemporary, Alternative, Classical and Big Band composer from the UK. I’ve been lucky to work with him on a number of crazy projects over the years, but this is a little more down to earth. Richard was engaged to write a selection of Big Band tracks for JW Music for positions in their libraries. After the success of the first album, a second was requested; here are a selection of those tracks – traditional big band style with some alternative viewpoints.
You can find the whole catalogue from JW Music as ‘Showtime‘ – JW 2297 and ‘Big Band Occasions‘ JW 2323
- Recording
- Mixing
- Additional Programming
- Piano, Hammond, Synths
The Love You Gave – Chilcraft
An EP about Love, Loss and Family, and a wonderful mix of Folk, Rock and good old Indie influences, this is the first of two EPs from Chilcraft, the next of which is currently under production.
- Recording
Double Denim – Mandeville
Some good old fashioned Garage Band Rock from Essex, UK, Mandeville are a full-on, crunchy, turn it up to 11, keep it simple, Guitars Bass and Drums band. Lots of classic gear on these recordings, probably a couple of AC30s, definitely some Marshall, a lot of playing hard, and a cool mix from Daniel Knight. It catches a lot of those retro feels.
ABOUT ME
Perhaps in a little more detail….
Hey! Yeah, that’s me… On the right.
On the left is Annelise Shaw – my co-collaborator for more than two decades. Behind us is our lovely Audient desk, and our wonderful Quested H208 monitors.
I love Quested speakers so much I have H108s in my kitchen 😉
Again, hello! I’m Michael.
I am an engineer & music producer with 20 years of professional experience. I have been the lead recording and mix engineer at Grand Chapel Studios for the past 11 years, where I have worked with a wide range of artists, major corporations like the BBC and Channel Four, sE Electronics, Rupert Neve Designs and the University of Hertfordshire, independent bands and orchestras, composers, ensembles and choirs.
On my journey, I have had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside world-renowned producers and engineers such as Rob Ellis, Gordon Raphael, and Joe Rubel. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the music production process and the tools and techniques needed to create high-quality recordings.
My original background is that of a classical musician. I was trained as a singer and pianist for nearly 20 years, and have recorded & performed all over the world as an artist in that position. That experience has given me a deep appreciation for music and the importance of capturing the essence of a performance in a recording.
I am passionate about creating unique sounds for the artists I work with. I believe that the best recordings are created when there is a trust and respect between the artist and the producer/engineer.
I am also interested in the intersection of art and science in music production (I’m a geek at heart, and spent my first stint at University studying Biology & Chemistry). I believe that there is a grey line between the two, and that the best results are achieved when both sides are considered, and I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to create unique and exciting sounds for the artists I work with.
My tools and techniques are not only looking to find new sounds, but also well embedded in classic techniques for recording instruments and ensembles.
I use a variety of tools, whether they be outboard, plugins, vintage or modern – anything I can utilise to get the best sound and the best results for you. I am always looking for new and innovative ways to create great recordings. In addition, I also aim to provide immaculate session data for 3rd party mix engineers and producers.
Use the form below to contact me today to learn more about how I can help you with your music production needs.
CONTACT
Would you like to work with Michael? For Recording, Mixing, Production or other business inquiries, please get in touch below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Michael Pearce – Recording & Mixing Engineer | Producer | Sound Designer
