The name has nothing to do with spiders either!
Rack, as in studio rack equipment, no phobia, as in don't be scared!
The principle objectives being to write, produce, and record the most relaxed and heartfelt performances without technology getting in the way.
Hence the emphasis is always on a relaxed environment, so consequently my studio and living room are in exactly the same space!
But don't let that fool you as a fine compliment of great equipment ensures that every performance is recorded to professional standard.
Valve mic pre's and Apogee converters capture acoustic recordings to my G5 running Logic Pro 7.2.
Though having said that, the original demo, as featured here, of 'ANYTHING' (which became the title track of MARTINA TOPLEY-BIRD's PALM PICTURES U.S. release) sung by Korean pop diva SOO KYUN SHIN, was recorded on a broken Fostex A8 using a £25 Tandy PZM Microphone, bouncing extra tracks with a tiny mini disc recorder, cos the Fostex only worked on 5 tracks! Fortunately those days have long since passed.
My usual approach is to not only just record the people I work with, (unless that is all they want!) I will usually offer my arrangement, writing, and even instrumental skills to help them hone even a rough sketch, into a fully crafted song/instrumental.
But that is only, if that is what the artist desires. My principle role is to facilitate. Not to take over.
My aim is to send each artist away happy and hopefully closer to realising their dreams.
Regarding musical styles, my tastes in listening and creating, are pretty eclectic, having toured and recorded with bands and artists for over thirty years, I've seen so many genres come and go, that I've fallen in love with pretty much all of them! Like people, there's good and bad in 'em all!
I've toured with countless bands including THE SELECTER, UK SUBS and MIRANDA SEX GARDEN to name but a few, and been involved in Rock, Reggae, Ska, Punk, Funk, Trip Hop, Hip Hop, Dub, House, Techno, Acoustic, Ambient, Voice overs, Compositions for Theatre, and even Sound Design.
If my studio sounds like the kind of environment where you can flourish, or you're interested in my compositions for your own productions, or film soundtracks please don't hesitate to contact me.
FOR MORE MUSIC AND IN DEPTH INFORMATION, PLEASE CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE AT www.racknophobiaproductions.com
'ANYTHING' was composed by Nick Bird and Steve Crittall and is also available on 'QUIXOTIC' available in the UK from INDEPENDIENTE RECORDS