Studio Recording
Shaping and capturing sounds, using vintage and modern microphones, outboard and consoles. Working closely with artists and producers to realise visions and potential
Audio Mixing
Building emotive, powerful mixes that excite and move audiences, with carefully crafted dynamics, breadth and depth, utilising the full frequency spectrum
Live Recording
Capturing live performances at as close to studio quality as possible, mixing for release, online or broadcast. Producing mixes that translate well on the plethora of devices that today's audiences listen on
Front of house
Engineering live shows from 500 cap venues to major festival stages, working seamlessly with artists and production crews to facilitate shows of the highest quality
David Bartley
Hey!
I’m a sound engineer with well over 15 years experience, working in the studio and live, as a front of house engineer.
I love getting great sounds that move and excite people, and find it really satisfying working with artists and producers to achieve their vision. I specialise in capturing and mixing live instrumentation recorded together, rather than layering up elements one by one.
For me, that is the best way to getting performances from talented artists.
To each project I bring relentless dedication to producing the best sound possible, a deep technical understanding, and a large arsenal of ideas, techniques, and knowledge of equipment – microphones, outboard, consoles, effects and instruments.
Great audio starts at the source, so I work with each musician and instrument to present and shape the sounds best for capture. This also means ensuring artists are completely comfortable in the studio (an alien environment at the best of times!), and can therefore reach their true potential by feeling relaxed and focussed.
Despite being barely able to hit a set of pots and pans in any meaningful way, I am obsessed with drum sounds, and the role they play across different music genres. Over the years I have dedicated myself to learning the process of tuning drums, treatment and the best set ups to get them working well in the room, before any mics or EQ go near the kit.
Studio work is my preferred discipline, and takes up the majority of my time, but I still keep my hand in with live work.
Bringing together these two worlds, I also specialise in the recording and mixing live shows, for broadcast and release, often working front of house while engineering the recording. You may already be familiar with 5dB’s Lunch With… series which I have been working on for the last 3 years.
These are fortnightly intimate gigs recorded and filmed in the 5dB canteen with a live audience, and published to a radpily growing following on YouTube.
I was previously working freelance for 8 years until joining 5dB as a senior sound engineer. Check out our three beautiful studios; we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in working with us.
Outside of 5dB I work on a handful of outside projects a year, but feel free to get in touch if you think it’d be a good fit. I may be more likely to take on mixing work, especially if your deadline is reasonable 🙂
If you would like to discuss a forthcoming project, feel free to give me a call, send me a WhatsApp, or email me.
I look forward to hearing from you!
