I have always been captivated by metallic and industrial sounds. This piece from a dining set in our kitchen recently became ‘an instrument’ and a standard part of my experimental live sets and compositions.

For the recording of sounds coming out from playing on this fantastic piece of metal, I have used AKG C414 Condenser Stereo Microphone. Sound is induced by hitting it with mallet sticks and ‘slicing’ the edges with a metal knife. The tray is hanging down from another microphone stand to rotate if needed. I was particularly intrigued by the sweeping low end and its movement within the stereo field when captured during the rotation.

By applying low pass filters, pitching down the tone of the sample for even -24 cents and reversing samples, I have achieved a variety of sounds being used as risers and atmospheres on the background of the composition.

AKG C414 mics possess fantastic clarity, but despite that, sometimes I would enhance the metallic feel by applying a small amount of very short reverb.