Chris Brown

How to Resurrect a u87

Chris — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:51:55 +0000

A common problem with the Neumann u87 manifests itself with the microphone cutting out when you’re singing right in to it, then coming back to life when you shut up. This only occurs when doing vocals, it’s usually fine on everything else.

The problem is caused by a build-up of dust and dirt on the diaphragm which interacts with the moisture in the breath. This causes a short circuit, making the diaphragm lose it’s charge. As the moisture evaporates, the charge returns and the microphone works normally until breathed on again.

The solution is to very carefully clean off all the crap from the diaphragm.
Now if you search the web, you’ll find lots of so-called “experts” advising that cleaning must only be carried out by a service-centre, or you’ll destroy your mic.
Bollocks. I’ve been in enough studio workshops to know that diaphragm cleaning is a routine procedure. You just have to be really careful.

What you need:

Distilled water
A couple of really soft paint brushes (water-colour, not decorating)
Blotting paper cut into strips with the corners rounded off
Some relaxing music while you work

Put the distilled water into two small cups and keep one brush for each cup. This is so we can do an initial clean, then use the second, with clean water and brush, to finish off.

Now carefully swish the water over the diaphragm to remove all the built-up crud. The diaphragm is indeed extremely fragile, but if you’re careful you’ll be fine. You don’t have to scrub or apply any downward pressure, just gently swoosh the water around.
If you tilt the capsule to clean the top half first, the water with all the crap in it will flow to the bottom, so you can soak it up with the blotting paper, or simply shake it off with a sharp flick. If you’re using blotting paper, cut it into thin strips and round-off the corners.
Then rotate the capsule and repeat until it’s all clean. Remember to pay special attention to to the clear ring around the edge of the diaphragm, as this is where the short-circuit occurs.

It is as simple as that. Give both diaphragms a good wash with the first cup of water, then do it all again with the clean water and brush.
When you’re done, stick the capsule on the window-sill in the sun to dry out completely, then put your mic back together.

Here’s my mic, before and after:

Utopia Studios

Chris — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:37:21 +0000

Utopia was where I got my first studio job back in 1987.

The studios closed down in the 90′s and are now used as offices, except Studio 2 which is currently occupied by An Endless Room.

Music for Playboy Fragrances

Chris — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:49:20 +0000

Playboy Fragrances are using a track I wrote with Cliff Hewitt in their world-wide campaign for new fragrance Play It Rock

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

And check out the full track here:

Raise the Bar

Chris — Sun, 01 May 2011 08:32:15 +0000

This is a compilation album I’ve mastered for Raisethebar Records to support under-threat bar & venue Torriano.

Track-listing:

Kav – Lords Ladies n Puppeteers
Palace Fires – Start The Fire
Matt Motte – Business Is War
Dansette Junior – Drums n Base
Andy Boyd – With You
Bardo – I Am Eternity
Ghosts – The World Is Outside
Lipstick Melodies – Hard Times No Sunshine
Mano De Dios – Creme Caramel
Omar – It’s So
Freetown – Ziggy Shuffle
Younghearts – Fleece The Innocents
International Love Corporation – Telepathy Planes
Peter Doherty – The Ballad of Grimaldi
Farewell To Storyville – Warcries
Glenn Kerrigan – With Arms Locked
Jerome Alexander – Salvation
Peter Wolfe – Darksome Sea
Polly Scattergood – Lullaby the Sea

And here’s a little taster:

An Old Photo

Chris — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:08:13 +0000

Here’s an old photo of me at Abbey Road Studio 2 in the early 90′s.

That’s me in the background and Darren Godwin in front, both of us taking it all very seriously…

Whyte and Black

Chris — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:50:47 +0000

Kristoffer Ragnstam’s latest single, mixed by myself.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Kristoffer Ragnstam & The Harbour Heads

Lyrics: Ragnstam
Music: Ragnstam/Lundberg
Recorded & Produced: Ryan Kelly/Pulca bros
Mixed & Mastered: Chris Brown
Published: Warner Chappel Music Scand/Sony ATV

Recording The Coral

Chris — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:06:40 +0000

I’m currently recording tracks for The Coral’s new album at RAK studios, with producer John Leckie. Watch out for a release later in the year.

Timescapes

Chris — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:14:00 +0000

This is the trailer for a new movie I’ve been mixing.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Timescapes is the debut film by Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2010 Tom Lowe, featuring music by Nigel “John” Stanford.

Follow the production of the film at Timescapes.org

Firefalldown New Single

Chris — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:11:24 +0000

Official video for a new single I produced: Stand Tall by Firefalldown.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Music Research for Orange TV Ads

Chris — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 07:21:45 +0000

My music research places Chopin’s Nocturne No 2 with the Orange 2010 TV campaign.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.