Synkronize Music Group

18/08/2024

As we prepare for yet a little more on the live scene at Notting Hill Carnival, we've put this together hoping it makes Ash Wall of Ash Wall Music feel just a little brighter. Our mix from the live recording of Stingray - CSGM at The Rigger - it's a killer new track. 😎 Mixed on the ever dependable Yamaha 02R then mastered using the latest version of IK Multimedia T-Racks, we hope everyone agrees, 'it's not bad for a live one'.. 😁

13/08/2024

Yesterday, we decided to take a day off after our adventures on the live scene at both The 100 Club and Bloodstock Festival. We had great fun - as ever - with the much tried and trusted M32 - something we use and see more of than pretty much anything else. 😁 It was lovely to see the ladies from Midas and appreciated them coming to talk to us and for the swag, too. 🥰 Whilst the control room would struggle to find space for something like an H3000, it could acommodate something a little smaller.. 😎

Back in the studio, we spent a little time putting our ALLEN & HEATH ML5000 back together this morning. Kev at K.Edwards Electronic Repair has done a fantastic job of revitalising the meter-bridge - the ML now looks even better than new with freshly installed LEDs on every VU meter - pure class. 😍

We've also had a Disastrous Robots session today - their next session will be Electric Te****le Stoke-on-Trent EMOM hosted at Captain’s Bar on the 29th of this month. Some recording for them coming up, too! 😎

11/08/2024

Thanks for another round, folks - this, my fourth year at Bloodstock Festival working FOH on the New Blood stage. 39 groups over three days! Jeeze! Thanks to Joe Barber, Ron Robinson, Jack Hilditch, Jim Lo, Stephen Angel, Chris Wareing, Nick Walker, Andrew Perry, Paul Heath / HSL plus a special mention to the lovely PR ladies, Ella and Jenna from Midas who took the time to talk shop and sorted us the quality swag. 🤩

04/08/2024

We said goodbye to our Drawmer 221 compressors this week - they had served us very well but the TL Audio Ltd 5021s are just a bit more useful to us.. We didn't say goodybe to Drawmer though, our new DL241 will go into service very soon, replacing a venerable dbx 266XL.

We've also been hard at the live scene this week with the pinnacle being Rebellion Punk Music Festival at Winter Gardens Blackpool. As ever, working with our old mate Kirk Brandon, it's been a cracking few days. Mixers of the week have been Midas and ALLEN & HEATH - both a breeze making life just that little bit easier. 😁

26/07/2024

Tuesday saw our third hosting of BassClub. Based on all the feedback, it's fair to say it was an absolute banger of a session with some serious talk and some even more serious gear - very cool indeed. The next one doesn't yet have a date but we'll keep everyone updated here and on the new page - have look and a like over there if you get chance. 😎

Our involvement with the Disastrous Robots project continues to be a fantastic partnership with some proper recordings coming soon. The live show at Artisan Tap was super and they're performing tomorrow (27th) at The Crossways from 14.30 to 16.30. The ALLEN & HEATH ML with it's associated analog gear will be front and centre of these very special recordings - exciting times ahead! 😁

20/07/2024

Just a short snippet of Stingray - CSGM live - a mix very much in progress here. 😎 Recorded via the Midas M32 at The Rigger, we're working from home with our Yamaha 02R on this one - it's sounding great already so once finished, we'll share the 'full fat' version.

The Disastrous Robots are collating all that hard work put in at the studio. They're performing live at Artisan Tap as main feature of The Robot Soul Club this evening (20th July), so, if you're at a loose end, pop down to see them from 7.30 pm. 🥰

As a late reminder, come join us at BassClub on Tuesday 23rd from 6.30pm. Come talk about and/or show your Fender, Squier, Ibanez, Warwick, Status or whatever floats your particular low-ended boat. 😁

17/07/2024

Bass Club - Tuesday 23rd July Synkronize Music Group 18.30 to 21.30. Come talk about guitars, amps, pedals, speakers, styles, techniques, songs, tones, strings etc etc. All levels and all styles of bass players welcome! 🤩

12/07/2024

We know it's been a little later than planned but we're hopefull many will have seen the shared post about Bass Club. It's happening on Tuesday 23rd July from 18.30 so, please come join us for coffee and all things bass. We'll be bringing one, maybe both of our very special Squier basses - what will you bring? 😁

The Disastrous Robots have been quietly working away in preparation for their upcoming performance, The Robot Soul Club at Artisan Tap. There's also some studio recordings in progress so we'll do a post when they're available. 😁

Our trusty ALLEN & HEATH ML5000 is undergoing a little maintenence this week - it doesn't ask for much. The meterbridge has been sent to K. Edwards Electronic repair (http://www.k-edwards.co.uk/page5.html) in Cheadle for lamp replacement and calibration. We'll tackle it's CPU board battery replacement soon too. Thankfully, it still passes audio without it - we just can't see the output level at the moment. 😎

10/07/2024

Bass Club - Tuesday 23rd July 18.30 - 21.30 at Synkronize Music Group.

All players of the 4 (or more, of course) stringed-thing that both keeps us sane and often drives us mad at the same time, the door is open to you. Come have a coffee, show your instrument (if you wish) and chat with the like-minded in a relaxed studio environment. It doesn't matter if you've been playing 3 minutes or 3 decades, a bedroom enthusiast or full-fat pro, I'm encouraging all levels, styles, shapes and sizes to join the Bass Club session. 🤩

Danny Higgins-New Max Ryles Ross White Ross Fallows Neil Simpson Paul Johnson Paul Challinor Paul Adams Will Harris Steve Clay Chris Poole Chris Bevington Chris Abbotts T'Andy Gilmour Mark Gooday Paul Stevens Al Dean Graham Booth Huggy Hughes Chris Stoff Daughton Dave Owen Gareth Harding Al Bruce Mark Totton Roman Dennis-chamberlain Knut Knutson Phillip Court Phil Cooper Jonny Mansell Tom Bishop Nick Cotton Josh 'Tabbie' Williams Carl Ogden Simon Davies Ron Robinson Richard Oakes Timothy C**k Jah Wobble Joe Mellor Joe Stingray Assane Ba

Please feel free to share far and wide - the more the merrier. 🤩

Cheers, Matt.

06/07/2024

Our feet have barely touched the floor these last few days. 😎

We've had an old friend at the studio this week - Tom Bevan has a future project in progress. Genuinely lovely to see him. Tom's lovely Premier Drums allied to our Sennheiser e602 and e904, Shure UK 57A and LEWITT 040 mics and of course, the good old Yamaha DM2000 doing everyone proud. 😁

The Disastrous Robots have also been hard at work with a writing session at the plus a live performance at The Rigger Venue. Thanks to Chris from Mischief for the loan of the Trace Elliot 2103H. 😀

We did the first live recording from the Midas M32 using it's Klark Teknik DN32 Live card for Ash Wall and the Stingray - CSGM crowd last night so we'll have a look at that later next week. 🤩

And lastly, Stig Chell the Blackwater folks have something cooking as we've a little mastering still to jump on for them. As ever, our IK Multimedia T-Racks software will be more than up to the job and make their latest record shine. 😆

04/07/2024

Just a final reminder for anyone interested that may have missed it, Carl and myself will be performing a short-ish set at The Rigger this evening. The Disastrous Robots will take to the stage sometime after 8 for some synth and bass chillout melodies and grooves. 🤩

30/06/2024

Our shiny, new Kinsman LED lights have helped improve the visuals at the studio this week. We'd like to thank the good people at ALLEN & HEATH for their quick and comprehensive tech support - A&H use a different pinout for the lights so we did a little soldering and there was light. Both the ML and Yamaha DM2000 are now a little brighter. 😁

The Disastrous Robots had a very well recieved evening at Electric Te****le Stoke-on-Trent EMOM hosted at Captain’s Bar despite a bit of an issue with our Trace Elliot 300-SMX. Thanks to the lovely folk that make that evening happen. Thankfully the amp seems to be working and the robots are looking forward to their next show as part of the 'Amplified' evening with the Mischief boys on 4th July at The Rigger Venue.

26/06/2024

23/06/2024

We've had some new arrivals at the the studio.. 😎 Firstly, many thanks to our old friend, Ian as we got a great deal on this Electro-Voice RE-320. We've only spent a little time recording with it but initial impressions are very good indeed - the reputation of these things certainly stands up! 🥰 Secondly, a MK2 TL Audio 5021 so after bit of a re-shuffle with analog setup (the lovely ALLEN & HEATH ML5000), we put the new 5021 on sub-group duty and now have two MK1 units on channel duties. 🙂

The Disastrous Robots are looking forward the Electric Te****le Stoke-on-Trent EMOM at Captain’s Bar this coming Thursday - Carl pictured here with us in the control room. Many thanks to Rachel for dropping in on the session this week. 😁

23/06/2024

FOR SALE: 2x Drawmer DL221 Stereo Compressors with jack (no XLR) I/O. Both have signs of use - they clearly had a life before they came to the studio - but are now surplus to requirements. They have since been replaced with a pair of TL Audio 5021 which is a very nice upgrade. They both work without fault and you're of course welcome to see them demonstrated at Synkronize Music Group.

Current eBay prices are around £150 per unit but I'm only asking £180 for the pair or £100 per unit. Local collection preferred but happy to deliver locally for friends.

Cheers. 😎

16/06/2024

Six whole years today! 🥰 Judging by the pics, I think it's fair to say we've progressed a little since that first 'official' open day back on London Road. 🤩 Thanks to everyone that has supported Synkronize over the years. - Matt ❤️ xx

14/06/2024

A little fresh music from us here - the wonderful Midnight Gallery performing live a few weeks back at KK'S Steel Mill. Recorded via KK's new ALLEN & HEATH SQ into our HP lap top then mixed and mastered making full use of our IK Multimedia T-racks plugins, we think these boys have a modern classic right here. Lovely lads with some really cool ideas - check them out. 😎

The Disastrous Robots have also been on it this week with refinement of current tracks, exploring new ideas and even employing a guest vocalist this week. There's a number of live shows with these two coming up with the first being part of the Electric Te****le Stoke-on-Trent EMOM on the 27th June at Captain’s Bar

14/06/2024

🌙✨I'm looking for two listeners to write a paragraph about new live album 'Lights in The Darkness'!✨🌙

Were you at the performance? Would you like to hear the finished recording before it is released in August? 🌟(the live album was recorded at the Ballad of a Murderess Album launch last year at The Rigger by Matt of Synkronize Music Group )🖤

Did you miss the show and want to catch up? 😇✨

Comment the word 'lights' on this post AND share this post,
to be entered into a draw to hear the album early.

If you are selected then please send your paragraph to this page and I will use it on promotion for this album with a credit to your name! :)🌹

A clip from the live album to be shared this time tomorrow!

Keep an eye out for that :D

07/06/2024

Well that's it - the seemingly endless tour has finally finished. It's been a fantastic few months with Kirk Brandon and the Theatre Of Hate crowd. 😎 The main picture this week is our FOH position at Manchester Academy with the wonderful DiGiCo Quantum and a monsterous amount of L-Acoustics - it's a great experience to mix on such premium gear in such a big room. Rebellion Punk Music Festival next! 🥰

Sunday saw the Disastrous Robots perform at The Crossways and whilst our main part was on the bass (thanks to our Trace Elliot V6, Status Graphite 5-string and new Ampeg Opto Comp plus the magnificent TC Electronic HOF pedal), our lovely old Korg MS20 made an outing too. More to come from that project very soon.

Lastly we've spent a few hours at The Rigger this week as we installed a replacement Midas M32 after the 'new' one developed a fault. We've used many M32 consoles over the years and never had a even a hint of an issue so this must be a rare anomaly. Thankfully the good old Yamaha 02R did a few more shows whilst we were away. 🙂 First show on the new, new one tomorrow! 😎

31/05/2024

We've almost forgotten how many weeks we've been at this with Kirk Brandon and the Theatre Of Hate of lot. 😎

Wednesday was a highlight for us at The Fleece Bristol with enough power to knock a wall down thanks to the monster KV2 Audio rig and the superb Midas Heritage D console plus big thanks to in-house legend Rich - great gig. 😁 By contrast, last night was a bit more 'vintage' with some oldskool Court boxes and the desk everyone loves to hate, the Yamaha LS9 - we love 'em! Thanks to Brett and Sophie at Darwen Library Theatre.

We spent a little time looking at some recordings we did at KK'S Steel Mill last week, too. The direct outs from the ALLEN & HEATH SQ sound truly fantastic. 😃

As of next week we're back in the studio playing catch up!

26/05/2024

Once again, a week of two halves. 😎 We've spent a good few hours at the studio with The Disastrous Robots project alongside more conventional work and the thing we spend most time doing - mixing. A live recording from last year is finally coming to fruition for our old mate, Kirk Brandon using the awesome Yamaha DM2000, Apple iMac and MOTU interfaces. 😃

On the live front, KK'S Steel Mill has been our home for the last few days with their new ALLEN & HEATH SQ mixers and superb OHM - UK line array - it sounds truly massive and somehow more impressive than when the stage was the other way. It's a lovely venue and house engineer Chris has very helpful and obliging - something we hugely appreciate. We thoroughly enjoyed mixing the Theatre Of Hate chaps plus support Fluoxetine and Andy last night. 😎

19/05/2024

International duties have called these last few days at the Goth Festival auf Leipzig, Deutschland, with Kirk Brandon and the Theatre Of Hate boys. We've also enjoyed some smaller shows, in particular The Rigger with the shiny new Midas M32 - a superb choice for the venue we might add. Tonight is the London legend of The Water Rats with their lovely d&b audiotechnik rig and Yamaha QL mixer of which we have no complaints. 😎

We've spent very little time at the studio although we did spend a little time working from home this week. Our Status Graphite bass was treated to some new DAddario Strings and ready for the next installment of Bass Club - to recommence in early June. 😁

14/05/2024

It's been a long time since we've done six consecutive live shows but that's been this week with the Theatre Of Hate lot. 😎 Club 85, The Bullingdon, The 1 in 12 Club Bradford, The Castle & Falcon, The Portland Arms and finally tonight sees us at the The Craufurd Arms (Live Music Venue). We've mostly had the very much tried, tested and trusted Midas M32 to use - a great sound with plenty of tools to get the job done. Parent company, Behringer provided the buttons and k***s in the form of a Wing on Sunday - we're really warming to these with so many toys on tap and an intuitive suface to get at them - very impressive.😁

We'll only be back in the studio for a day this week as we're straight back out to Germany on Friday for more Kirk Brandon and Theatre Of Hate. 😍

10/05/2024

Our live scene adventures continued with the Theatre Of Hate boys last week. After a killer night in South Yorkshire at the ever superb Brudenell Social Club, we took trip over the water to the wonderful cities of Dublin and Belfast. Both the The Workman's Club, Dublin and The Deer's Head went down a storm although the thought of using an iPad mixer ever again is a terrifying one! Thanks to Matt and Shane for looking after us. Midas and DiGiCo consoles alongside L-Acoustics and KV2 Audio systems performed faultlessly - as ever. 😎

We've also been back in the studio this week working on both an up-coming SOD live album and with the Disastrous Robots - our Squier Jazz bass pictured alongside the big Trace Elliot setup await their next outing. It was great to see Jon Aldersea and Rachel Poole with their project, Dreams of Delvaux - looks like there's some exciting things happening on that front very soon. 🥰

03/05/2024

Again, a week of many worlds. 😎 Our mate Clive Osborne pictured here at Synkronize HQ last Tuesday after completing a rather efficient studio session with us - photo thanks to Phil Long.

We've also been hard on the live scene with Kirk Brandon once again - the big O2 Academy Glasgow being a great show. It's lovely to mix in such a great venue in front of so many people - the band were on top form and as our sadly departed friend Steve Lazzari used to say 'everyone was cooking' 🥰. The wonderful DiGiCo SD12 is always a pleasure to use and was as ever faultless - thanks to FOH engineer Katie making life just that bit easier on this show.

Back in the studio, our new (to us, at least) Ampeg Opto Comp arrived safely and will almost certainly become a go-to as it sounds fantastic. Used with the Squier Jazz VM, pictured here in the fx-loop of our Trace Elliot V6, the opto comp squashes and squeezes in a very musical way - one you can really push into and lean against Hats off to Ampeg on this unit. 😁

26/04/2024

The pictures kind of say it all this week. 😎

We've done a bit everywhere including a few days out on the live scene with Kirk Brandon - both the Record Junkee and PJ Molloys shows were cool so hopefully that trend continues for us tonight in Aberdeen at Drummonds. As ever ALLEN & HEATH SQ and Midas M32 mixers making the job that little bit easier and enjoyable. 😁

On the creative front, the Disastrous Robots session at the studio went really well with some new ideas fresh in plus a writing session working from home with our HP PC, MOTU 828 MK3 interface, Propellerheads Reason plus the little Mackie CX monitors and our old fave, the Yamaha 02R.

We'll be back in the Studio on both Monday and Tuesday this week - we'll post some more about this next time. 😎

18/04/2024

We've once again hit the live scene hard this week - KB and the boys are fighting fit. The Rescue Rooms, Nottingham and The Georgian Theatre, Stockton went down very well indeed so hopefully tonight at The Parish will be equally as exciting. Yamaha and ALLEN & HEATH have been the tools of the trade with a lovely CL5, an iLive and tonight a dLive. We've also seen the lovely Headsticks boys as they're also performing live this evening - always great to see them. 😎

Bass club has been put on hold whilst we're away with this lot but I'm sure we'll be able to squeeze a session in towards the end of May. 😎

13/04/2024

We're out on the road again with our old mate, Kirk Brandon and the TOH boys. 3 gigs in and it's been pretty lively already with the beautiful Papillon venue, Southampton, the O² Academy Islington with us mixing both Theatre of Hate and Ruts/Ruts DC plus their special guest Zac Starkey at the Vive Le Rock awards and lastly tonight at the O2 Academy Newcastle. Great consoles from ALLEN & HEATH, Avid and DiGiCo plus big boxes and power amps from L-Acoustics and d&b audiotechnik have so far been faultless! 🤩

Back in the studio, it was lovely to help our old friend Paul Challinor out last week with a bit of bass bashing! A bit of tweaking with the Origin Effects SVT-a-like, the EBS Professional Bass Equipment compressor and Darkglass Electronics drive got him a little closer plus some comparisons using our Ampeg SVT, Trace Elliot 400SMX and V-Type amplifiers was great fun. 😎

Those Disastrous Robots have got some new things cooking too - they're currently working long distance but there's some really exciting sounds to come from them very soon. 😍