Philosophers Barn workshop and tools
“To say that Eric James takes audio quality seriously is something of an understatement.”
Professional Mastering requires audio engineers with experienced ears, working in an acoustically neutral room, equipped with state of the art analogue and digital music processing, and the highest resolution accurate monitoring.
The Mastering Workshop at PBM has all three.
The Workshop is housed in a converted barn, on a small farm in the quiet countryside of the wilder side of the North Norfolk coast.
The room was re-designed and acoustically optimised by Dr Douglas Doherty at DACS Ltd.
A second converted Barn houses the client lounge, featuring the best espresso coffee in Norfolk, a wonderful view of fields and churches and – on clear days – the North Sea.
There are currently just five deerhounds in residence.
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Analogue tools
Knif Soma Passive Valve Mastering EQ Maselec MLA-3 Tri-band Mastering compressor Thermionic Culture Pullet Passive EQ Grace Design 801R Preamp Pendulum OCL-2 Valve Opto-Compressor Bettermaker Analogue Mastering Limiter
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monitoring
Matrix X-Sabre Pro DAC Soulution 520 Pre-amp ATC SCM 50 ASLT
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digital audio work stations
Mastering DAW: Sequoia with EQ + dynamics from DMG, MAAT, Sonoris and Tone Projects.
Classical Editing DAW: Pyramix Pro with Flux EQ and dynamic processors.
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digital tools
Weiss EQ1 Mk2 DYN/LP (24/96) t.c. Electronic Mastering 6000 Forssell MADA-2a ADDA Converter
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Analogue and digital Playback
Nottingham Analogue Dais Turntable Origin Live Illustrious Arm Dynavector DRT XV-1s Soulution 520 Phono Stage Digital Playback: Esoteric K-01 CD/SACD Player
Senior Mastering Engineer
Eric James
Eric has been involved in the music business as musician, producer and classical engineer for over 30 years. He had a parallel academic career until 2011 when he resigned his university tenure in order to accommodate an increasingly busy mastering facility. He is still active with historical research, non-fiction editing and writing.
Eric brings to Philosophers Barn both a unique perspective and a very high level of musical and technical knowledge. He conceived and edited the first two editions of Bob Katz’ Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science and is a regular contributor of technique and review articles to Sound on Sound magazine.
Our Experts
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Carrie
Business Manager
Carrie is the main voice of reason for Philosophers Barn and deals with all of the financial and scheduling side of the business.
She is also a very dedicated keeper of deerhounds.
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PBM Deerhounds
Ascher, Dodie, Hobbes, Tygger and Gryff
The five deerhounds are an integral part of Philosophers Barn Mastering operations. Their friendliness and dopiness offer guaranteed, fast acting. stress relief for residents and visitors alike.