You say that the subject matter is covered 'well.' Well... during a lot of the research we conducted before embarking on this series we discovered several things: First, there's a lot of 'bad' information out there; either simply wrong, or just impenetrably explained. Secondly, there's a lot of 'stuff' out there masquerading as information. In other words very specific information concerning settings or techniques.

It is Alan's belief - and I am not one to argue, only having having garnered one or two Gold and Platinum records to Alan's 50 or 100 - that it does people somewhat of a disservice to lay down the law and say 'this is how you have to do it.' Alan's approach is far more subtle and, I feel, far more useful because he's showing you how to develop your own set of skills which you can then apply to whatever material you may come across. There is no set menu. So much of recording is down to experience; just listening. And also down to the people, places, and material you are working with. Of course Alan can give you chapter and verse on a very specific part or sound that he has recorded in the past - which he certainly does do from time to time. But in truth, aside from being 'interesting' how useful is that? No one else is ever going to hear that sound in that context ever again. What Alan is doing in this series is providing you with a solid grounding in and understanding of the basic skills - that he himself learned and developed at Abbey Road back in the 60s and 70s - so that you'll have the tools, and confidence, to get down to your own nitty gritty wherever, whenever, and with whoever that occurs.

Julian Colbeck, producer.