TN:114 James Ellis Ford

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In this episode, John ventures over to Clapton to join James Ellis Ford and talk about how he wrote, recorded, and produced the album ‘The Hum’.

His debut solo release after almost two decades working with some of the world's biggest artists, James looks back on how his approach to music has changed over the course of the album, reflecting on the different mindsets and decisions that come with producing his own work compared to that of others.

As well as a deep dive into his vast studio setup and hybrid system of new and old creative techniques, we’re treated to thoughts on the fine line of ironing out the humanness of mistakes, and how more often than not, pieces of gear can give you back ideas that you’d never have expected.

Listen to find out which undiscovered mics are used across almost all of the records he works on, how to implement a Frippertronics-style tape setup, and what you can create when you push a bass clarinet to its limits.

Tracks discussed: I Never Wanted Anything, Squeaky Wheel, The Yips

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

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Listen to ‘The Hum’ here.

• Warp Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

FabFilter Pro Q

Soundtoys PrimalTap

Soundtoys DevilLoc

UAD Fairchild Plugins

UAD 1176

UAD LA2A

K-Devices Plugins

ARP 2600

Cirklon Sequencer

Roland TR-808

Korg Maxi-Korg Synth

Hohner Clavinet

Philicorda

Beezneez Microphones

Melodium Ribbon Mic

Shure SM7B

Gibson ES-125 Guitar

Burns Bass

Ebow

Mutron Auto Wah

Mutron Phasor

Eventide H3000 Chorus

Space Station Reverb

Grampian Spring Reverb

MicMix Master Room Reverb MR-II

Selmer 60s Fuzz

Altec Preamp

Tascam 4TRK

J37 Tape Machine

Nagra Tape Machine

Studer Desk

OUR GEAR

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TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant